Aubrey came to Goodwill from the V.O.A looking for employment resources. After working with Goodwill Reentry Navigator Christopher Fincher, Aubrey was able to find a job at Steering Pipe and Tool. Aubrey is on her way to a better and more stable life. Goodwill is very proud Aubrey and her hard work!
Edwin came to Goodwill with the idea that he wanted to better himself and gain employment. Edwin worked with reentry team for career readiness training and job placement services. Edwin was able to obtain employment and is now working a job he loves. Way to go Edwin!
Lela came to Goodwill as a participant through Goodwill’s Ohio Link Reentry Program. Lela was looking for assistance with employment and several barriers. Goodwill helped Lela get the needed resources to find perfect job and now Lela is working full-time. Goodwill is extremely proud of your accomplishment. Congratulations Lela!
6/7/2024
Owens and Goodwill are partnering to provide enhanced training options for people seeking to improve their workforce training opportunities.
Through a new, customized virtual platform, individuals working with Goodwill will have access to learning experiences at Owens that connect directly to job success. The training courses are possible thanks to both organizations’ premium partner status with ed2go, a national network of online courses taught by experts from a variety of fields.
Goodwill navigators will work directly with community members to find learning experiences tailored to their individual goals. Courses range from employability through customer service, conversational Spanish, business writing and leadership skills, to specific occupational preparation like interior designer, sign language interpreter and maintenance technician. New courses are added regularly.
In order to meet the needs of busy adults juggling family and job responsibilities courses are available entirely online, self-paced and available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. As Goodwill navigators and individuals arrive at specific educational goals, Owens will enroll them and support their journey to completion.
“Owens is excited to work with Goodwill and expand access to education that benefits the local workforce and area employers,” said Charlene Page, executive director of Workforce and Economic Development at Owens. “The need for a highly-skilled workforce is clear to everyone. We are always looking to improve higher education access for adult learners and help them acquire the skills they need.”
Owens and Goodwill have a history collaborating with a focus on workforce development.
“The opportunity to lift up members of our community by working closely with Owens is a natural fit for Goodwill’s Job Connection Centers, where we believe in the power of work,” said David Takats, Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill. “Work helps to eliminate barriers and provides opportunities to improve peoples’ lives.”
For more information the ed2go classes, visit www.owens.edu/goodwill.
Contact:
Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc.
David Takats
Chief Mission Officer (419)-255-0070
dtakats@goodwillnwohio.org
Meet Kevin
Kevin came to Goodwill on a referral from the Ohio Link Halfway House. After meeting with our reentry team, it was clear that Kevin was interested in becoming an electrician. With Goodwill’s guidance, Kevin is currently enrolled in the apprenticeship program and is working part-time in the field, learning more about becoming an electrician. Goodwill is excited to see Kevin blossom in this new chapter of his life. Well done Kevin!
Thrifted Finds to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home
By: Felicia Czochanski Bisar
Heading off to college is a major milestone. For those who have the opportunity to live on campus, the school year can mean leaving family and friends in your hometown and heading off into the world of the unknown. Especially for freshman, the first few weeks of the school year can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time. You might feel homesick as you try to figure out who in your class you might be able to form a friendship with. You might feel out of sorts without friendly reminders from home. Preparing for a new school year and setting yourself up for success are the best things you can do to start the semester on the right foot.
This goes for all types of back-to-school shopping, especially putting thought into the place where you’ll sleep, study, and hang out with friends. Fortunately, you won’t need to lug all your furniture and décor from across the country to your new dorm, with the help of the home goods section in a local Goodwill that can make your dorm room feel like home from day one.
Shopping at Goodwill for dorm room décor is a cost-effective way to get your back-to-school shopping done. It’s also an amazing way to pick up unique and eclectic finds that can really make a dorm room feel like home. Whether you buy something new with the tags still on it, or something that’s been donated and has been pre-loved, shopping at Goodwill is an amazing way to express your taste and interests as you display the items as décor in your new room. In fact, not only can it create a more artistic feel to your décor, but it also supports those in the local community as well, with job training and courses that can help them excel in their lives and careers.
Keep reading for inspiration from real Goodwill shoppers around the country, who used thrifted home goods treasures to create the atmosphere of their dreams.
1. Bright Pops of Color
Starting the school year with confidence can make the semester an experience full of new opportunities. Incorporating bright pops of color into your dorm décor can be a reminder to shine bright throughout the year. You can find everything from curtains to throw pillows to jewelry boxes at Goodwill. Be sure to check them out on your next trip to see what speaks to you!
2. Thrifty, Useable Décor
Space is likely going to be limited if you’re living in a dorm, which makes the case for décor that serves a purpose while making the place your own. I love the idea of this reverse bookstack topped with a plant and set next to a candle as a fun way to spice up desk or dresser space. Plus, you can swap new books or textbooks as you read them.
Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio Opens New Store in Perrysburg, Ohio Goodwill Opens 14th Store Location in Northwest Ohio
Toledo, Ohio – May 31, 2024 – Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio will open the doors to its highly anticipated store, in Perrysburg, Ohio on June 1st at 10:00 am! Located at 10027 Fremont Pike (former Bed, Bath, & Beyond), this store boosts over 22,000 square feet!
“Goodwill has had donation stations throughout Perrysburg for nearly 20 years. We have tried for just as long to find a store location. Now, on June 1st our organization’s dream of having a Perrysburg store will become a reality”, said Amy Wachob, President/CEO.
“This store is like none other of our store locations throughout the region. The modernized, visual presentation will leave shoppers dazzled! The store features a concept store within the traditional Goodwill store, The Corner. This media shopping experience will feature upcycled artwork, vinyl records, books, DVD’s, CD’s, and so much more. Shoppers will be able to check out the graphic mural from local artist Chilly Rodriguez,” said Tim Kralovic, VP, Retail Operations. The donor experience offers an easy, convenient, and quick drive-thru.
The mission of Goodwill takes front and center as when you enter the new store, you are met with a Mission Outreach Corner. Shoppers will be able to learn about the various workforce development programs offered by Goodwill. When you shop at and donate to Goodwill you are helping those in our area who need Goodwill’s mission programs of assisting people link to job opportunities.
Throughout 2023, Goodwill served over 9,000 individuals with job readiness and workforce development programs. To learn more about the positive impact Goodwill has made in Northwest Ohio communities as well as location information, visit www.goodwillnwohio.com.
Great job Amy Bach and students!
A big round of applause for the Four County Career Center Guest Services and Skills students who recently hosted their job site partners for the 2023-2024 school year! During the event they also honored the seniors of the program who will be graduating this spring. Goodwill’s Amy Bach worked with participants on job site placement and employment opportunities.
On April 8, 2024 I was able to spend some time at the ODOT Wood County rest area, south of Bowling Green, OH. Goodwill provides janitorial services to this site and in preparation for the total solar eclipse event, I made myself available to assist the crew.
A couple of months ahead of this event, ODOT requested that we prepare ourselves with additional staff and supplies. We complied and it went off without any issues.
The caravan of “eclipse seekers” started to arrive around 11:00 am with a non-stop flow of traffic. As the time got closer to the eclipse, the parking lot was packed, travelers set up chairs on the grass areas, parked in the truckers’ lots, etc. There was a powerful feeling that something big was about to happen.
With all the extra traffic, we as crew members, had to carry out our duties with the facilities, making sure the restrooms were cleaned, paper products stocked, etc. The crew kept commenting how busy the place was and they had never seen something like this before.
Managing the women’s restrooms was a challenge, especially when the line started forming inside and around the outside of the building. The travelers were patient and understood we were there to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible. At one point, we decided to close off part of the men’s restroom and re-routed the women to use one side as overflow and everyone was so grateful!
Once the time for the eclipse approached and everyone was jogging for a place to view the event, we had a break to get all the stalls serviced and paper products refilled; it was a rush like we had never seen before.
When the eclipse started, everyone got in place and marveled at what they were experiencing. Once totality took place, there was a thunderous, simultaneous applause throughout the rest area. Once the brightness of the sun came back, the same joyful sound took place. Everyone knew they were experiencing something special and a once in a lifetime event.
The crew and I were outside watching as people were packing up, getting ready to head home and we all commented of what we had just seen and experienced. It was amazing!
One dad and his two young daughters traveled from Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada to witness the eclipse. He approached us and said to his little ones “Go ahead, tell them.” The two girls looked at us and with shy faces said “Thank you for everything” and smiled as they handed each of us a pin with their city logo displayed. It was a precious moment that made us realize the reason why we were there and that made us all proud of the service we had provided.
-Written by Alan Olin, Custodial Contracts Account Manager; Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc.
Day 1: Clear Your Closet Clutter If you haven’t worn those jeans, jerseys, or jeggings lately, chances are you won’t. Seize the opportunity to clean out your closet and donate to Goodwill today.
Day 2: Tackle the Kitchen Just 20 minutes spent going through your cabinets can make a world of difference for individuals in NW Ohio.
Day 3: Spread Holiday Cheer Are you holding on to boxes of holiday decorations? Spread cheer by donating your Holiday and Halloween decorations to Goodwill. They will light up someone else’s home for sure!
Day 4: Downsize Your Toys Not sure what to do with your used electronics? Bring them to Goodwill and they’ll find a happy home! Plus, that means waaaay less clutter in your home.
Day 5: Clear Your Office If your office is filled with extra pens or pencils or things that you probably will never use, go through them and give your neighbors a fresh start. They are sure to be put to good use elsewhere and your office will be Martha Stewart neat afterwards. And, we all want that, right?
Day 6: Provide Quality Entertainment Is your house overflowing with unused movies, video games and music media, even some vinyl? Pass along the entertainment by donating to Goodwill today.
Day 7: Downsize Your Bookshelf If you’re guilty of having your old college or university text books in your bookshelf and a whole bunch of other titles collecting dust, go through them and find the ones that you will probably never read again and donate them Goodwill.
There is a great need within our community. Our most needed items are clothes, household items and electronics. Have you always wanted to help but, didn’t know how?
Well, now you can help and all you have to do is look through your home, declutter, downsize and donate to your nearest Goodwill location and you can make a world of difference. Not to mention, you will benefit from the knowledge you are giving someone a fresh start, you’re helping the planet by allowing your items to be re-loved and that your home is much neater too.
Goodwill’s mission is to change lives through the Power of Work. When you donate to, or shop at your local Goodwill you are helping to change lives of individuals and families right here in NW Ohio.
© 2025 Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc. All Rights Reserved.