A shared mission to lift Augusta residents out of poverty and homelessness, into area jobs
AUGUSTA, Georgia, March 30, 2023 – Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. (GIMG) and First Step Staffing, Inc. (FSS) are working together to provide staffing and job placement services to Augusta-area job seekers. The two community-based non-profits are on a mission to lift individuals out of poverty and homelessness by breaking down barriers to employment and opening access to meaningful work.
Independently, GIMG and FSS serve individuals on a path to employment, yet experience various barriers, such as lack of access to skills training and transportation. In this joint venture, the organizations will act as an alternative staffing organization whose mission is to educate, train, and place people into temporary, temp-to-perm, and direct hire jobs that meet the needs of the employers in Middle Georgia, specifically Augusta.
“Together, Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and First Step Staffing will be able to provide not only rapid access to employment, but a complete catalog of services including job coaching, education and training, transportation, and support services,” said Leah Pontani, GIMG Senior Vice President of Career Development.
Job seekers will co-enroll with GIMG and FSS. GIMG will provide education and training, while FSS will provide employment opportunities and transportation. Both organizations will provide case management and ongoing retention and support for job seekers.
“The vision of the joint venture is to help people with barriers to employment find meaningful work fast, at the same time meet the workforce needs of local businesses in Augusta and the surrounding areas,” said First Step Staffing CEO Amelia Nickerson. “The goal is to have everyone we serve experience the power of work and the dignity of earning a paycheck.”
About Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc., a non-profit, 501c3 charity, builds lives, families, and communities one career at a time by helping people develop their God-given gifts through education, work, and career services. More than 86 cents of every dollar of Goodwill revenue underwrites job training and placement services within the agency’s 35-county service delivery area. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. is accountable to local Board of Directors, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. To learn more about services and individuals served by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. visit www.goodwillworks.org.
About First Step Staffing, Inc.
First Step Staffing empowers individuals with barriers to entry with employment and income to take the first step on the path out of poverty and homelessness. First Step is now the largest nonprofit staffing agency in the U.S. and a 2020 “Extra Mile” award winner from the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. We are committed to helping businesses succeed while improving lives and supporting our communities. To learn more about First Step Staffing, Inc. visit www.firststepstaffing.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Lee Davis
Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA
kdavis@goodwillworks.org
(803) 270-5148
FIRST STEP MEDIA CONTACT:
Kellie Brownlow
Chief Mission Officer
kellieb@firststepstaffing.com
(404) 374-3130
