April 23, 2020
PALMETTO GOODWILL TO REOPEN CAREER OPPORTUNITY CENTERS AND RETAIL LOCATIONS
North Charleston, SC – Palmetto Goodwill is reopening seven of its career opportunity centers and 28 of retail stores with additional safety measures this week to start rebuilding our community and workforce.
Palmetto Goodwill provides vital community services through its career opportunity centers and navigators. “Now more than ever, the career opportunity centers will play a critical role in assisting our most vulnerable segments of our community who have been laid off or dislocated from employment”, stated Palmetto Goodwill President and CEO Robert Smith. “We still offer career services virtually, however, there are many in our community without access to technology. Our brick and mortar centers can accommodate these individuals.” Providing these community services requires funding, and the Goodwill thrift stores provide a direct financial source to support the career opportunity centers.
Retail stores will reopen on Saturday, April 25 and operate on a reduced schedule from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Staff will control the number of shoppers entering stores based on the governor’s physical-distance guidelines, sanitize shopping carts, and clean other high-touch surfaces throughout the day. Directional arrows to guide customers through the store and staging areas at the cash registers will be installed to allow for distancing. Plexiglass barriers also will separate the cashier from customers.
Goodwill is ready to help with immediate needs such as assistance with unemployment registration, rent and mortgage deferrals, and connection to the many services afforded through the recently passed CARES legislation. On-going services include job-search assistance, resume writing, interviewing skills and preparation. Skills training in the trades such as welding, CDL truck driver, manufacturing and HVAC technician certifications are offered, as are no-cost online courses. Career opportunity centers will reopen on April 27 and run on a reduced scheduled from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. during the work week. For more information, call 843-566-0072 or visit palmettogoodwill.org.
