City of Orlando Announces Partnership with Goodwill Industries

Public-Public Partnership to Help Local Job Seekers Access Services and Find Employment

ORLANDO, FLA. — Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and William Oakley, CEO and President of Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, today announced a new public-public partnership to help local job seekers.

Through the effort, workers who are registered with the City of Orlando’s BLUEPRINT Employment Office are eligible to receive free information and referral services from Goodwill to help them resolve personal and lifestyle issues. In addition, Goodwill will be providing important ‘employability’ skills training and access to a network of critical social services – which are often needed to get better paying jobs.

“These services will help job seekers gain the essential skills needed to find work through the BLUEPRINT Employment Office,” explained Mayor Dyer. “The BLUEPRINT Employment Office has already placed nearly 2,000 people in temporary and/or permanent jobs, and we look forward to helping many more.”

The BLUEPRINT EMPLOYMENT Office serves many people, but it focuses on those who are homeless, ex-offenders, and Parramore residents.

Once hired through the BLUEPRINT Employment Office, workers will receive a voucher from Goodwill for a free set of work clothes. Any candidates who are pursuing work through the BLUEPRINT Employment Office may receive free services through Goodwill.

“This partnership is truly a win-win-win for the City of Orlando, Goodwill Industries and the people that the BLUEPRINT Employment Office is committed to helping find jobs in this very tough environment,” Goodwill’s Oakley said. “In addition, we will refer applicants from our Orange County Work Release Program to BLUEPRINT Employment Office for registration.”

Part of the new partnership also involves “Mayor Dyer’s Clothesline: The Right Fit,” a month-long clothing drive that will provide job seekers with free apparel that’s suitable for job interviews.

Clothing collected during the drive will also assist Goodwill in filling its retail stores. Monies earned from selling donated goods support the Agency’s programs that are provided free of charge.

“Mayor Dyer’s Clothesline: The Right Fit” kicks off tomorrow at City Hall, CNL Bank and Balfour Beatty for one week, with donations being collected at the City Hall Rotunda, at the City/CNL parking bridge and the Balfour Beatty downtown office. After the first week, collection locations will move among the offices of local partners including Wells Fargo, SunTrust and OUC for the next three weeks.

About the BLUEPRINT Employment Office
BLUEPRINT is a plan spearheaded by Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum to ensure that companies and local residents have opportunities to benefit from the construction and development of Community Venues — the Amway Center, the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and the Citrus Bowl renovations. The BLUEPRINT Employment Office helps job seekers, specifically the homeless, ex-offenders, and Parramore residents, find work related to the construction of Venues, along with other areas. Job seekers may visit the office at 1200 W. South Street in Orlando between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office can also be reached by calling 407.246.3721.

About Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Inc. uses monies earned from selling donated goods to support free employment and training programs for people with disabilities or barriers to employment. The organization serves Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties. Today, Goodwill has 25 stores, five attended donation centers, and eight Self-Sufficiency Job Centers. For more information, visit http://goodwillcfl.org.