Wells Fargo donates $75K to Tacoma Goodwill jobs program for veterans

Tacoma Goodwill officials announced today Wells Fargo has awarded a $75,000 grant to help fund “Operation: GoodJobs,” the non-profit organization’s veterans career transition program.

“Wells Fargo support arrives at a critical time for our region,” said Tacoma Goodwill CEO Terry Hayes. “With Joint Base Lewis-McChord in our back yard, we are now seeing more young men and women returning home from the battlefield to face extreme hardship transitioning back into civilian life. They need assistance with job training, skills building and family support services. It is absolutely imperative to give each of these veterans what they need to succeed. It is our duty as a nation to support them.”

Operation: GoodJobs provides a variety of services to empower military veterans with the tools they need to find employment, succeed in the workplace and permanently support their families. To date, the Tacoma-based program is helping more than 350 transitioning veterans with job placement, retention and advancement support services.

Last year, Wells Fargo announced it is committing $35 million over the next three years as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting military service members and veterans.

“With the large number of military members transitioning to civilian life over the next few years, we know it’s more important now than ever to make sure that transition is a successful one,” said Wells Fargo Washington Community Affairs manager Mark Dederer. “Operation: GoodJobs has a terrific track record for providing support to military veterans and we are honored make a contribution towards those efforts.”

More information is available online at tacomagoodwill.org/services/military-veterans.

Wells Fargo Tacoma Commercial Banking representative Kari Scott (fourth from right) presented a cardboard check to Tacoma Goodwill Board Chairman Chad Wright (third from left) to symbolize the bank's $75,000 donation to Operation: GoodJobs during a ceremony Friday at Tacoma Goodwill headquarters. Other event participants included (from left to right) Nathen Wright, Operation GoodJobs participant (US Army); Pat Steel, Chairman of the Board for Goodwill Contracting Services (Retired Colonel, US Army); Terry Hayes, Tacoma Goodwill CEO; Mike Tassin, Veterans Services Manager (Operation GoodJobs); Christa Brothers, Tacoma Goodwill Chief Development Officer; and Frank Scoggins, Tacoma Goodwill Board Secretary (General, USAF retired). (PHOTO COURTESY TACOMA GOODWILL)
Wells Fargo Tacoma Commercial Banking representative Kari Scott (fourth from right) presented a cardboard check to Tacoma Goodwill Board Chairman Chad Wright (third from left) to symbolize the bank’s $75,000 donation to Operation: GoodJobs during a ceremony Friday at Tacoma Goodwill headquarters. Other event participants included (from left to right) Nathen Wright, Operation GoodJobs participant (US Army); Pat Steel, Chairman of the Board for Goodwill Contracting Services (Retired Colonel, US Army); Terry Hayes, Tacoma Goodwill CEO; Mike Tassin, Veterans Services Manager (Operation GoodJobs); Christa Brothers, Tacoma Goodwill Chief Development Officer; and Frank Scoggins, Tacoma Goodwill Board Secretary (General, USAF retired). (PHOTO COURTESY TACOMA GOODWILL)