Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region is offering two free career programs in April that will be of interest to transitioning servicemembers and their families.

Goodwill works with hundreds of local employers and organizations to find the right match for servicemembers and business partners. This attitude reflects Goodwill's philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out."

Begun by the Reverend Edgar Helms in 1902 in Boston, Goodwill focused on collecting used household goods and clothing, then trained and hired individuals who needed to acquire skills so they could find employment. The goods and clothing were then sold to the public.

Today, a $5 billion nonprofit organization, Goodwill's notion of a hand up is very much a reality.

"We empower individuals to get what they need to reach and maintain a decent quality of life," wrote George White, public relations and communications official, in an email.

He also explained that the sales of goods from the area's 36 thrift stores are the economic engine that generates the income to host career programs.

"These classes help create careers, education and life skills needed by individuals who are seeking employment in the 15 counties we serve here in the region," White continued.

To that end, Goodwill is hosting a Free Warehouse & Logistics Training class beginning April 17.  

The training will be held at Goodwill's Milgard Work Opportunity Center at 714 South 27th Street in Tacoma. Information sessions about the class will be held March 30 and April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The 10-week program provides entry-level and career advancement skills for manufacturing, warehouse and logistics fields. Classes are generally small, allowing for hands-on support in the classroom.

For more information, contact Garuba Akinniyi at 253.573.6654 or visit goodwillwa.org/training/programs.warehouse.

The second planned event is the Free Veteran's Employer Networking Event Wednesday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Lake Conference Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord - North.

This networking event is offered each quarter and provides transitioning servicemembers, family members and area veterans with an opportunity to network with more than 70 employers and 14 veteran service and training organizations in the region.

For more information about this event, contact Susan Irby at 253.573.6789 or visit goodwillwa.org/training/veteran.

This year, Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region aims to help 8,500 people with skills and contacts to become self-supporting citizens with a higher quality of life.

"We're here to empower individuals to achieve their goals," concluded White.