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Blindness No Deterrent to Success for Goodwill Employee

Rene Latorre Honored with 2007 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff

June 25, 2007

Rockville, MD – Rene Latorre’s experience of overcoming the challenge of her own blindness has led to a rich career of working with others faced with the same disability — an accomplishment that Goodwill Industries International is honoring with the Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff.

A former participant in training programs provided by the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI)-Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester (NY), Latorre has been the consumer affairs coordinator for the agency since 1997. She oversees a diverse range of issues and concerns that impact all individuals served through ABVI-Goodwill, particularly those who are blind or visually impaired.

“In her nine-plus years of service to ABVI-Goodwill, Rene’s work has had a measurable and sustained impact on both employees and customers,” says George W. Kessinger, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “As a former recipient of Goodwill services, Rene is in a unique position to advocate for others and lead with both experience and passion.”

Latorre serves in several capacities at ABVI-Goodwill including training, outreach, volunteer recruitment, advocacy and special programs. She is passionate about educating the community about blindness in order to eliminate barriers. Latorre developed and maintains a local community resource guide, conducts Sensitivity to Blindness Training Programs for ABVI-Goodwill employees, and frequently provides informational presentations on blindness throughout the community.

“Rene looks at every person and sees a life — a life with value, a person with abilities and a future filled with hope,” says A. Gidget Hopf, EdD, President and CEO, ABVI-Goodwill. “She helps us create an environment in which every person is respected regardless of their ability to see.”


The Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff is named in honor of the founder of Goodwill Industries, an ordained minister and social innovator who was motivated by spiritual values to improve the lives of those in need. This award recognizes a current Goodwill staff member who was a former recipient of services and who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill Industries and Rev. Helms’ values, while maintaining or increasing his or her own self-respect and self-reliance.