Goodwill Industries International Honors Danelle Hayes with the 2016 Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff’
Grand Island, NE — Since 2009, Danelle Hayes has been inspiring others within Goodwill of Greater Nebraska through her passion to serve and her positive attitude. For her commitment to Goodwill’s mission and for exemplifying the values of its founder, Goodwill Industries International is awarding Hayes the 2016 Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff.
Hayes started working at the Grand Island Goodwill as a program trainer and, within a few short months, was promoted to program manager of the agency’s developmental disability services program in Hastings, NE. She oversees transportation services, day habilitation, in-home habilitation and non-specialized services, and she coordinates community involvement activities. In her time at the Grand Island Goodwill, she’s helped double the number of individuals receiving services and has advocated for a medication administration program, resulting in the expansion of services offered to participants.
In nominating Hayes, Tammy Slater, president and CEO of the Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska said that it’s not the day-to-day activities that Hayes coordinates that make her such an inspiration; it’s the leadership and compassion she lends to the program and its participants.
“Danelle ensures a person-centered approach is utilized with the central focus on what people can do,” said Slater. “She helps people develop goals and objectives and ensures the voice of the person served is heard.”
Hayes has also found new ways for participants to get more involved in the Hastings community. Individuals can participate in a monthly cook-in with a local church group, volunteer weekly at an animal shelter, visit twice a month with residents of an assisted living community, or contribute to a food program with Hastings High School.
“Danelle’s commitment to service and her compassion for people with disabilities embodies the Grand Island Goodwill’s mission of helping people be productive members of their communities, a common mission across Goodwill member organizations,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “She serves as a role model for her fellow Goodwill employees who dedicate their lives to serving their communities each day.”
Hayes will receive her award at Goodwill’s annual Delegate Assembly meeting in Omaha, NE, on June 12.
The Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff honors a current Goodwill employee who has not received Goodwill services in the past and who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill Industries and its founder Rev. Edgar J. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions.
ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL:
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 164 autonomous, community-based organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America’s top 20 most inspiring companies (Forbes, 2014). Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,100 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill organizations also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, Goodwill placed 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.
For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl
CONTACT
Kim Buschkoetter, M.S.
Vice President Compliance and Mission Marketing
Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, Inc.
(308) 455-1400 x 202
[email protected]
Charlene Sarmiento
Public Relations Program Manager
Goodwill Industries International
(240) 333-5590
[email protected]
