Volunteer Group to End Operations March 24 After Two Months of Helping Most-Vulnerable Ex-Employees
TORONTO, March 17, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Renew the Good, a volunteer-led group of 15 former Goodwill Toronto employees, has raised and distributed $102,776.54 to 200 of the most-vulnerable former workers of the not-for-profit retailer that shut down its operations on January 15, 2016.
Goodwill is a charitable organization that offers job and skills development opportunities to people in need in various communities; Goodwill Industries of Toronto, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario employed more than 500 people across 16 stores and 10 drop-off centres.
On March 24, Renew the Good efforts will come to a close, just ahead of Easter weekend. "We're very appreciative of the financial support people have provided former staff over the past two months," says Gladys Okine, team member with Renew the Good. "Each time we distribute the funds we see how much it's helping our former colleagues."
The funds raised have gone to some of the most-vulnerable former Goodwill employees — to people deemed to have increased needs, such as those with physical and intellectual disabilities, and to people who applied for financial support for food, medicine and housing. Donations have been distributed in the form of prepaid VISA cards and bank drafts.
"We wish our former colleagues the very best as they pursue other avenues in their job search," says Deborah Hall-Chancey, Renew the Good volunteer. "It's been a privilege working with all the men and women of Renew the Good and Goodwill, and those who've supported the effort including Working Women Community Centre, DUCA Financial Services Credit Union, GoFundMe and CanadaHelps."
Visit renewthegood.ca for more information about this volunteer effort.
About Renew the Good:
Renew the Good is a volunteer initiative established to provide financial support to the most vulnerable of former Goodwill staff in the wake of the non-profit closure in Toronto. Fifteen former Goodwill employees put their job search on hold to create and maintain the program that has helped 200 people affected by the layoffs in January. Pledges were made by mail and online at GoFundMe.com and CanadaHelps.org, and funds donated have been distributed to former staff who are in most need of financial support. Renew the Good will end its operations March 24, 2016 after two months of providing support.
SOURCE Renew the Good
Image with caption: "The first group of donation recipients with representatives from Working Women Community Centre, DUCA Financial Services Credit Union and Renew the Good. (CNW Group/Renew the Good)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160317_C3604_PHOTO_EN_644821.jpg
Media enquiries: Ashlea McGrath, Thornley Fallis Communications, 416-515-7517 ext. 248, [email protected]
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