Two years ago, Goodwill Industries of Lubbock, Inc. received a grant for a Community Building Job Creation Initiative Program. The goal of the program was to help participants become economically self-sufficient - enabling them to support themselves and their families. This year, the well-known non-profit group celebrated the success of the program during Goodwill Industries Week (May 4 - 10). Goodwill also graciously recognized their many partners in this successful Job Creation Program as well as honoring program participants at the Spring Partners Luncheon.

Goodwill received an initial grant from Covenant Health Care; HUD's Lubbock Field Office was just one of many local and state partners that worked together to give local men and women a chance at a better life. The Job Creation Program's goal was to provide education, fundamental training, employment, and support services to overcome barriers to employment. Among Goodwill's many partners in this worthy effort were Catholic Family Services; Lubbock Region 17 Adult Education Service Center; South Plains Regional Workforce Development Board; South Plains Food Bank; Texas Agricultural Extension Service; Texas Workforce Center - WIA Program; Citibus; Habitat for Humanity; and Covenant Health Systems.

Fundamental Training Opportunities provided by the partner agencies included life skills; consumer education; homeownership training; leadership training; advanced vocational skills training; entrepreneurial ventures; and literacy/language skills. Five Community Building Job Creation Program participants who successfully completed the program and became self-sufficient were honored at the Spring Partners Luncheon. At left, Debbie Grove, a program honoree, receives congratulations from Lubbock HUD's field office director, Miguel C. Rincon, Jr.