San Bernardino, CA – The mission of Goodwill Southern California (GSC) is Transforming Lives Through the Power of Work.  GSC has been in existence for 100 years and over the time, we have remained true to that mission and steadfast in our commitment to be a Transformative force in the lives of those in the community that need our support the most- disconnected youth, the re-entry community, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, the homeless, and the working poor.  We support those that come through our doors in their journey from hopeless to hopeful, from excluded to included, and from being marginalized and disconnected from the workforce to utilizing their unique talents to benefit from AND contribute to a thriving community and economy.  We know, more than most others, that every single one of these individuals can work and contribute in a meaningful way if we are creative and thoughtful about how we connect them to opportunities.  We are at a unique point in time- there are record number of job openings and employers are desperately trying to find talented workers to fill those jobs.  We know that these populations and workers can help fill the talent gap.  And there are some programs around the region that do, in fact, develop and tap the talents of these unique populations.  But our challenge is to move beyond singular, isolated programs and build systems that support creative engagement with jobseekers that have unique talents.  This requires community-based organizations, public agencies, community colleges, and employers working together to make embed these strategies in our systems and as the way we do business, not as the exception.

Today we announce a transformative opportunity in the Inland Empire.  The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Foundation will be announcing a $3,380,000 grant to Goodwill Southern California (Creating Jobs for Our Community by Following Our Yawa’).  This historic investment in communities across the inland Empire will expand services to jobseekers with barriers to finding employment, support innovation and creative program and policy solutions that engage unique populations, and most importantly, to support collaboration and alignment in the region so that we can put more people to work in careers that lifts up communities and improves the quality of life.  San Manuel believes that our communities across the Inland Empire have something special to offer and that we are stronger by working together. We whole-heartedly agree and invite others to join this transformative movement!

Patrick McClenahan

President and CEO, Goodwill Southern California