By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
Homeless veterans have a new place to help them land a job and get back on their feet.
Goodwill officially opens its newest support services center in Davenport Friday.
"We want to help you find employment; that's our big thing," says Ryan Bloomberg, employment specialist for Goodwill. "It's a Department of Labor grant so employment needs to be your main key and what you want to strive to do."
The center offers a variety of job skills training including operating a forklift, a cash register, or even helping you nail that job interview.
Goodwill has helped QCA veterans since 2003 and has seen more than 800 rejoin the workforce.
Funding for the new center comes from government grants as well as money made from Goodwill's thrift stores.
While their main service is for homeless veterans, Goodwill leaders say they don't have to necessarily be stuck living on the streets.
"They can be either living in shelters but not always," Bloomberg adds. "It can be somebody who doesn't have a permanent place to stay so they could be maybe on somebody's couch trying to find a job and get settled again."
Goodwill leaders say they have added a couple new staff members and plan to add more in the near future. The center also has a program that helps those with disabilities get back to work.
There will be an open house for those interested at 11:30 a.m. at 805 West 35th Street in Davenport on Friday.
