On May 22nd, the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Center for Opportunity will launch Hiring Well, Doing Good, an initiative aimed at creating a job pathway for Columbus’ un- and underemployed.

The luncheon event will kick off a long-term, community-wide effort to make job opportunities and resources readily available for the chronically un- and under-employed. The program will feature panelists from the business and nonprofit sectors, who will share their success stories and challenges with assisting and hiring men and women who have long struggled to find work.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Columbus faces a 21 percent poverty rate and a labor force participation rate of only 56.9 percent. To address these staggering numbers, Hiring Well, Doing Good will pull together businesses, nonprofit service providers, and schools to create solutions that will help those facing barriers to work find lasting employment.

Tickets for Hiring Well, Doing Good may be purchased at GeorgiaOpportunity.org/HWDG-Columbus. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

WHEN: 12:00PM - 1:30PM

WHERE: Columbus Convention and Trade Center

WHO: Brian Anderson, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Randy Hicks, Georgia Center for Opportunity

Karin Douglas, Georgia Center for Nonprofits (Moderator)

Phil Hunter, Georgia Works

Kim Jenkins, Open Door Community House

Lloyd Martin, CKS Packaging

Gordon Johnston, Stuart & Johnston

Justin Gurski, Columbus State University