Event Designed to Connect Youth to Employment

DECATUR, Ga. – Atlanta has more than 34,000 youth who are currently not in school nor employed. Frequently referred to as “opportunity youth,” these young people face a number of barriers that prevent them from finding and retaining employment. In alignment with Goodwill of North Georgia’s mission to put people to work, the nonprofit has partnered with Opportunity ATL and the Metro Atlanta Chamber to host a job and resource event at Goodwill’s career center in Decatur to connect youth ages 16 to 24 to hiring businesses. The event is scheduled for October 16, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will offer mock interviews, résumé assistance and training resources in addition to a pool of employers looking to hire new talent.  Youth are encouraged  to come dressed professionally.  Goodwill will provide gently used blazers at no charge on a first come, first served basis for those who don’t have professional attire.

“No matter what challenge someone is having in finding work, Goodwill is here to help,” said Jenny Taylor, vice president of career services for Goodwill of North Georgia. “Our services include free tools and programs for youth, people with disabilities, returning citizens, and people with limited financial resources. Partnering with Opportunity ATL provides us with a seamless way to reach even more youth and we’re excited to host this event in October.”

The Metro Atlanta Chamber has received funding to coordinate long-term efforts in support of Atlanta’s youth, and is working with several partners, including Goodwill, to make the Opportunity ATL event possible.

“Helping Atlanta’s youth obtain the resources they need to find work, and then providing them with introductions to companies who are actively hiring and can help make a difference in their lives is at the heart of why Opportunity ATL was launched,” said Amy Lancaster, director of workforce development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We are thankful to have great partners such as Goodwill of North Georgia, which is hosting the job and resource fair at its Career Center in Decatur and is providing other resources to help these young people find success.”

For more information on the event, please visit www.opportunityATL.org.

About Goodwill

The mission of Goodwill of North Georgia is to put people to work. The nonprofit has provided services in the region for more than 90 years. In fiscal year 2018, Goodwill of North Georgia provided job training and employment services to 50,872 people and helped 24,902 people find jobs or start new businesses. The organization currently operates 61 stores and about 57 attended donation centers. Revenues generated from Goodwill’s retail program help fund job training and placement programs. For more information about Goodwill of North Georgia, visit GoodwillNG.org.

About Opportunity ATL

In May 2018, Atlanta became the eighth city to hold a youth job and resource fair on behalf of 100,000 Opportunities Initiative – a national coalition of employers focused on hiring people between the ages of 16 and 24 years who are out of school and also not working, often referred to as Opportunity Youth (OY). The Atlanta fair connected more than 2,600 local youth to employment opportunities and other resources to promote their economic and social mobility. Because of the excitement, heavy engagement and overall effort of the Atlanta coalition, the city was named a “demonstration city” by the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative to carry out long-term efforts serving OY in the Atlanta region, launching Opportunity ATL.