Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay has announced that the County of Contra Costa has terminated the Work Experience Program (WEX) that Goodwill was operating due to budget constraints. The Work Experience Program (WEX) provided those on public assistance with quality job training services to prepare them to secure competitive employment.  The County cut this entire program, ending these vital services county-wide as of June 30, 2011.

“Since the downturn of the economy began in late 2008, Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay has been experiencing significantly increased demand for our services.  In fact, our WEX Program in Contra Costa County served a total of 878 people in 2009 and 2010, more than double our contract goal of 144 individuals per year,” said Bob Brewer, Vice President for Workforce Development at Goodwill.  “The loss of these funds, particularly during this time of continued increased need for job services, will result in hundreds of individuals and families being unable to secure the job training and support they need to gain self-sufficiency.”

In addition, the contract supported five Goodwill workforce development professional staff members, who are laid off effective June 30, 2011 due to the closure of this contract.

“We are continuing to work with private and public funders to help support our programs since government contracts seem to be diminishing given the economic climate,” said Kimberly Scrafano, Vice President for Development & Community Affairs. “We are saddened at the closure of the Contra Costa Work Experience Program, as these services are vital to the welfare of so many individuals and families in need.”

To learn more about the mission and programs of Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay, please visit our Program page. If you would like to learn how you can support our programs, please visit our Donations and Contributions page.