Goodwill Industries® Honors Michele Carter with the 2013 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff West Palm Beach, FL — Michele Carter, director of re-entry and juvenile justice services for Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (West Palm Beach, FL), helps those who were formerly incarcerated to find jobs and successfully re-enter the workplace. Carter inspires her clients
READ MORE from Addiction, Homelessness Lead Woman to Help Others Succeed at Work
Tyres Dickson Named Goodwill Industries International 2013 Achiever of the Year ROCKVILLE, MD — Tyres Dickson had just started a promising college football career with the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns when a drunk driver changed the course of his life. An accident left him paralyzed from the chest down but, with Goodwill’s help, he
READ MORE from Houston Man Finds Career Success through Goodwill® Connections
A couple years ago, Goodwill Industries International instituted a program to help low-income individuals gain financial stability thanks to a grant from the Charles Schwab Foundation. In 2010, as part of this Schwab grant, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana (Indianapolis) partnered with the Indianapolis Charles Schwab office to pilot the volunteer-based financial education program, Good Assets. Local Charles Schwab employees, as well as Goodwill® staff, teach financial education in a group setting. They also serve as financial coaches, meeting one-on-one with participants to advise on financial needs and goals. A financial coach’s roles include facilitating realistic goals, enhancing accountability and providing opportunities for practice so that participants can ultimately develop their own financial goals.
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When Jeremy graduated high school, he knew he wanted to find "a job he liked forever," but wasn't sure what it was. Goodwill helped him zero in on his career goals and he now says he wants to work at Goodwill for the rest of his life. "My job has shown me how wonderful it is to give to others," he says.
Robert was struggling to take care of his family after his father's passing, when he was referred to Goodwill. After learning and succeeding at a variety of tasks, he rose to the position of dock attendant. "I really take pride in my work," he says.
In mid-January, a store team member from Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin (Menasha) found and returned a young cancer survivor’s missing class ring. The Post-Crescent, a local newspaper, reported that Deirdra Moon, a team member at the Grand Chute store, was sorting through the donations when she spotted a 2013 class ring from Appleton West High School—Moon’s alma mater. It bore the word “survivor” and a yellow sarcoma cancer awareness ribbon.
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On December 28, an 18-year-old Goodwill sales associate found and returned four bank envelopes containing $8,000 found while sorting donations at a Chattanooga Goodwill Industries (TN) store. Following Goodwill policy, she immediately notified the store’s lead sales associate and the manager on duty.
READ MORE from Goodwill® Employee Returns $8,000 Found in Donation Pile at Georgia Store
An increasing number of Americans are using the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to honor Dr. King’s legacy by volunteering in their communities. The holiday takes place on January 21, 2013, this year, the same day as U.S. President Barack Obama’s second inauguration. Volunteers are using this day as ‘a day on, not a day off’ to address the needs in their communities and help create solutions to social problems. Local Goodwill® agencies are engaging volunteers on this day for a number of community service projects.
READ MORE from Goodwills to Engage Volunteers During Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Christopher had a desire to be independent and earn his own money, but his disability posed an obstacle in finding and maintaining long-term employment. After connecting with Goodwill, his confidence and attitude began to improve. He now believes in his potential and says, "Because I am successful at work, I feel better about myself."
After falling in with the wrong crowd, Michael ended up in prison for 22 months. When he was released, he was determined to make a chance. He connected with Goodwill in Indiana and now works as a team lead for cleaning and janitorial services at the local VA hospital. "I try to be positive and help people," Michael says. "I love my job and those around me."
