Goodwill clients will soon have additional opportunities to gain computer skills, thanks to a $236,000 cash grant from Microsoft.  Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is one of just 12 nonprofit organizations in the country to be awarded the funding for the Microsoft Elevate America community initiative.  Goodwill was chosen through a competitive process in which more than 300 organizations applied for a portion of the $5 million available from the technology giant.

The money will be used to hire five trainers who will travel to each of Goodwill’s 16 Career Solutions Centers to help clients upgrade their technology skills through the company’s Project Digital Literacy.  The centers are located throughout the 46 counties served in middle and west Tennessee by Goodwill.  “This money is going to help our clients learn comprehensive job search skills.  We’ll be adding additional career counseling, technology skills training and job placement services,” notes Betty Johnson, the vice president of Employment Services.  She adds, “To say we are thrilled to have been awarded this grant from Microsoft is an understatement.”

Goodwill is placing a special focus on the underserved community, including rural, low income, people who lack digital literacy, lack access to technology, and those who have a difficult time finding jobs in this rapidly changing economy.  Through the Elevate America initiative, Goodwill expects to reach more than 3,500 clients in 2011 who do not have jobs and do not have access to computers and the Internet.

Microsoft chose Goodwill because, “Too many Americans don’t have the technology skills that many jobs today require,” said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president of Global Corporate Affairs at Microsoft.  “Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has demonstrated how its programs can reach some of the most underserved people in our society.  We’re honored to partner with this Goodwill to provide training and job support to the people who need it the most.”

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