Oahu, HI. — Goodwill® Contract Services Hawaii (Honolulu) successfully manages a federal contract to provide property management services for 6,500 single soldier barrack units in 56 buildings across five Army bases in Hawaii. The Army Hawaii Soldier Housing (ASH) contract created 65 full-time equivalent jobs, including 28 for people with severe disabilities. The contract exemplifies an important tenet of Goodwill’s 21st Century Initiative — to prepare people with special needs for the 21st century workforce. The contract and Goodwill Industries® of Hawaii are honored this year with the 21st Century Initiative Award from Goodwill Industries International.
Employees work as property managers, desk clerks, laborers, stock clerks and maintenance workers. The contract allows Army personnel to focus on specialized military job duties while creating jobs for civilians.
To establish the ASH program and its staff as being the go-to experts for Oahu’s single soldiers, a unique brand was established: “Army Hawaii Soldier Housing, powered by Goodwill Contract Services Hawaii.” This brand includes a unique logo and web site with 24/7 contact information, an In-Processing and Out-Processing procedures section, and a Frequently Asked Questions section. (www.armysoldierhousing.com)
The contract has been recognized nationally and has paved the way for future AbilityOne programs across the country.
Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, praised the Goodwill’s commitment to finding diverse ways to improve job prospects for people with disabilities. “The contract not only provides excellent wages for its employees, but also provides new career skills that can help lead to economic self-sufficiency.”
ABOUT THE AWARD
The 21st Century Initiative Award recognizes a business, company or organization that has invested significant resources into building the capacity of member Goodwill agencies across a wide geographic area. The award is given for best carrying out one or more strategies of the Goodwill Industries 21st Century Initiative, which seeks to serve 20 million people by 2020. Nominations can include programs, services, initiatives or partnerships, and should be replicable throughout the Goodwill movement.