An open house was held Thursday, Aug. 21, in celebration of a new Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries Career Services Center established in the Marius Building in Lakeview.
The open house, held on an invitational basis, provided those in attendance an opportunity to meet the new facility’s staff members and also learn of the available services. The new Lakeview site is dedicated to helping individuals and families develop social and employment skills needed for success in the work force.
Betty Weldon, vice-president of Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries’ workforce development program, noted that an individual’s self-confidence is proportionate to their ability to hold down a job.
“We have a philosophy that people gain more confidence and self-esteem through what they do for their job,” Weldon said. “We believe there is a job out there for everyone.”
Weldon said that Goodwill’s services include assisting those with disabilities as well as barriers to employment with developing skills for successful job placement in the community. As well, developing places for paid work rather than simply volunteer positions is another goal of the program. Integration of individuals as community members is a major goal, Weldon said.
Weldon sees the program as a potential tool in future economic development and the future health of the local community.
“One of the big things for Goodwill is we partner with other agencies,” she said, “and we don’t try to supplant something someone else is doing. It’s important for us to be a partner.”
One of the biggest questions that arise when the new center is discussed is whether or not Lakeview will get a Goodwill retail store. Weldon noted that this is not in the immediate plans, but also said it is not out of the question for the future.
Other services available include a supported living program for developmentally disabled adults, Weldon said. Community job coaching, individual and group workforce development services and a supported work program for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) clients.

...for the complete story, refer to this week's Lake County Examiner.