Venezuela

January 6, 2010

Geographic map of South America with Venezuela highlightedMission
To promote the productive integration of people with disabilities, by means of professional rehabilitation, with a social awareness toward creating economic independence.

En Buena Voluntad, nos enfocamos en su capacidad.
(At Goodwill, we focus on your ability.)

History
Industrias Venezolanas de Buena Voluntad (Venezuelan Goodwill Industries) was founded in 1964.

Programs and Services
The organization serves people with physical and sensory disabilities, as well as mental and/or social disabilities.

Goodwill Venezuela’s employment program provides professional services in the areas of occupational evaluation, work adjustment, vocational training and job placement for people with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 46. Work adjustment activities often include remedial academic instruction, electronics training, occupational therapeutic projects, and basic computer literacy.

The Goodwill also coordinates social and recreational activities that include musical programs and community field trips. For job placement initiatives, preparation for interviews and job coaching is provided during an orientation period, along with a follow-up meeting after the two-week trial work period is completed. Goodwill Venezuela strives to make a strong match between its program participants and local employers, ultimately creating long-lasting relationships.

The organization operates several businesses that provide job training opportunities and generate revenue to fund its services, including a donated goods retail store amd a small appliance repair shop. It also has a packaging contract with a local chocolate manufacturer.

Fast Facts 2010

  • Staff: 14
  • Volunteers: 20
  • Persons Served: 225
  • Placed in Competitive Employment: 11
  • Total Services Provided: 13,241
    • Psychological 108
    • Language theraphy 174
    • Placement counseling 122
    • Academic reinforcement 3338
    • Work adjustment 3338
    • Computer use learning 6141
    • Small appliance repair and handicrafts 20

Contact Information:
President: Carlos Bullos
Executive Director: Antonieta Baquero
Urb. Los Samanes, Calle 11
Caracas. Venezuela
Tel: + 58 (212) 944-4555
+ 58 (212) 944-4157
Fax: + 58 (212) 944-4815
E-mail: buenavoluntad@gmail.com
http://www.buenavoluntadvenezuela.org/

Country Profile
Country name: Venezuela
Capital: Caracas
Population: 27,635,743
Land Size: 353,841 square miles (slightly more than twice the size of California)
President: Hugo Chávez
Language: Spanish
Unemployment: 8.5 percent
GDP (PPP): $345.2 billion
GDP (PPP) per capita/average income: $12,700
Statistics for Persons with Disabilities: According to the 2001 Census 3.94 percent of the population as a disability, 33.6 percent of those individuals do not have an elementary education and 21 percent are currently employed.

State of Disability Legislation
Venezuela has not signed the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. People with disabilities are protected by sections 81 and 101 of the National Constitution. The Integration of People with Disabilities Act, the Child and Adolescent Protection Act, the Social Security Act, the Social Insurance Act, and the Labor Act provide other legal protections for people with disabilities.