U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Honors GESMN
Andrew Freeberg, GESMN Director of Community Programs, and Clarence H. Carter, Director of the Office of Family Assistance at HHS' Administration for Children and Families
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Family Assistance named Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) in its first-ever designation of Employment Excellence Programs. GESMN is one of just seven programs nationwide to receive the designation and is the only organization from Minnesota to be recognized.
The Employment Excellence Program designation is given to organizations with exceptional success increasing employment for underserved communities. GESMN receives the honor for its programs serving individuals returning to the community after incarceration, low-income fathers and participants in the Minnesota Family Investment Program.
HHS will not make additional designations until its next Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) convention in 2019. The other organizations receiving the first-ever designation in 2017 are Center for Urban Families (Baltimore), DC Central Kitchen (Washington, DC), KIRSA (Dunbar, WV), National Center for Families Learning (Louisville), RecycleForce (Indianapolis) and Solutions for Change (San Diego).
“The power of work does more than change the life of individuals and families; its positive ripple effects are felt throughout our community,” said Michael Wirth-Davis, GESMN President and CEO. “It’s an honor to be recognized by HHS for the work we do in Minnesota to eliminate barriers to work and independence.”
GESMN’s Director of Community Programs, Andrew Freeberg, accepted the designation on behalf of the organization. “We’re excited to be recognized for our innovative approaches to increasing employment for underserved populations,” said Freeberg.