FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          Contact: Brenna Brelie
Marketing Communications Generalist
Direct: (651) 379-5818
bbrelie@goodwilleasterseals.org
www.goodwilleasterseals.org

Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota is Working for Minnesota—
Getting Minnesotans Back to Work With a Campaign to Support Good Jobs for All. 

ST. PAUL, MN, Feb. 22, 2010 —What do thousands of Minnesotans have in common? Answer: They are unemployed and face significant barriers to finding jobs.  How can you help get them back to work? Sign the petition to show your support to create transitional and permanent jobs, assist small businesses and pass legislation.

Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota launches a campaign reinforcing the importance of transitional jobs as stepping stones to permanent employment, and asks the public to sign on and show their support at goodwilleasterseals.org/Work4MN. The campaign aims to create awareness and support for job creation legislation currently in progress at the state and federal level, and specifically focusing on the importance of transitional jobs as stepping stones to building a stronger, more stable workforce. Transitional jobs provide valuable, paid work experience within a supported environment to better prepare individuals to find permanent employment.

Often the most vulnerable individuals face long-term unemployment. Individuals with disabilities, language barriers, mental health issues or criminal backgrounds struggle to find stable employment.  They are often the first to be laid-off and the last to be rehired. Proposed legislation supports additional transitional jobs and wage subsidies for employers which will assist these vulnerable individuals and their families by getting them into jobs, which ultimately opens door to stable housing, healthcare, transportation and childcare.

“Many individuals seek assistance from Goodwill/Easter Seals for employment preparation, training and support. We see the direct impact that long-term unemployment has on families and communities and we wanted to do more to grow support for the legislation in progress,” says Deanna Smiley-Gulliford, Director of Community Affairs at Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota.  “We hope this campaign will engage the public to help get all Minnesotans back to work.”

The public can visit www.goodwilleasterseals.org/Work4MN to sign on and help put fellow Minnesotans back to work. Individuals who sign up will receive updates and action alerts about how they can help the legislation in progress.

Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota provides family strengthening, education, workforce development and employment services for people with barriers to employment. In the past year, 15,000 individuals received 31,192 services, including job skills training (automotive, banking/finance, construction and retail), job placement, mental health services and free medical equipment loans. Revenues from its 20 retail stores, along with other contributions, support these services at 48 sites in Minnesota.

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*Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. March 11, 2010 http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/apps/lmi/laus/