Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc., a nonprofit Human Services agency that operates a network of not-for-profit businesses, fulfills its mission is "to empower people to overcome employment barriers and to help strengthen individuals, families and communities" by providing an array of holistic wrap-around services to community members in nine contiguous counties: five in West Virginia and four in Kentucky.Since 1973, we have been training individuals with barriers to employment. As an advocate for lifelong learning, Goodwill of KYOWVA offers educational opportunities that address regional needs, such as basic employment skills, life skills, and literacy skills: all challenges to long-term employment.Further, our Human Services programming includes mental health counseling, parenting support services, credit counseling, community interactive educational events, Life Enrichment classes, and National Council On Aging (NCOA) BenefitsCheckUp® assessments.Goodwill of KYOWVA's programming covers more than just job skills – it enhances community stability. We offer people the first rung on the ladder to successful high-quality employment. Our clientele come from a myriad of backgrounds: economically, physically, educationally, and emotionally, and yet, they come for one reason--a better quality of life. Some clients are entering the workforce for the first time, while others are re-entering and need a viable set of job skills.As a dues-paying member of Goodwill International, a value added organization, we provide a variety of training and employment opportunities, serving people with disabilities and disadvantages. Resulting from the social enterprise model of selling "gently used" donated goods in 13 retail stores, E-Commerce, Janitorial/Industrial/Recycling Division, and with the help of generous donors – we are able to accomplish our mission.To that end, Goodwill of KYOWVA provides career certification tracks with resume writing, job search, interviewing skills and practicum experience, including:* Microsoft Office training & Windows Examination Certification: Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint* Employment Skills Training* Work Adjustment/Life Skills Training* Adult Education/General Educational Development (GED) Instruction/ESL Instruction* Medical Administrative Assistant: National Healthcareer Association certification* Customer Service, Retail Sales & Retail Management Training: National Retail Federation certifications* Janitorial Training: Cleaning Management Institute certificationsAlso, through Goodwill of KYOWVA's collaboration with Mountwest Community & Technical College, students can receive up to 13 hours of college credit, which sets them firmly on the pathway to academic advancement.