Sam came to Goodwill looking for help with finding a better paying job to help him provide for his six children and had several barriers including reinstatement fees preventing him from accomplishing that goal. Reentry Navigator Christopher Fincher started working with Sam right away knocking down barriers and was able to help Sam find gainful employment. Sam now credits Goodwill for helping him provide for his family and looks forward to when he can give back to the community for support he received. Congrats to both Sam and Christopher on job well done!
President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of NW Ohio, Inc. (and Owens alum), Amy Wachob sits down with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville talk about her time at Owens, growing in leadership skills and how Goodwill Industries helps the northwest Ohio community!
Amy began working at Goodwill in 1991 at the Reynolds Rd. Goodwill retail store location. She talks about her journey from the beginning of her PT Head Cashier position, how Goodwill Industries mission fueled her desire to get more education and to move up in the organization and her desire to help individuals break barriers to employment, throughout NW Ohio.
Goodwill Mission Services would like to congratulate Lisa Broseke and Yusuf Gardner for passing their respective Certified Employment Support Professional Credential (CESP) Test. The CESP credential is designed for job coaches, job developers, transition employment specialists, job placement personnel, and employment specialists/consultants who serve a wide variety of target audiences including individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, traumatic brain injury, and autism spectrum disorders. CMO, David Takats said, “I feel the certification adds a level of professionalism for our staff. It shows a higher level of understanding and education for Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), consumers and employers. It lets them know Goodwill’s employment staff has a broad knowledge needed to be successful in this field.” We are extremely proud of both of their efforts. Congratulations Lisa and Yusuf!
Individuals who earn the CESP credential have demonstrated knowledge of the facilitation and advocacy skills necessary to help establish and expand equitable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. CESPs also raise awareness of benefits within the business community, and promote social change that fosters an independent, productive lifestyle for individuals with disabilities.
Welcome Alexandria as Goodwill’s newest Community Employment Specialist. Alexandria has been a communication professional for the past five years. While specializing in commercial photography at Bowling Green State University, she focused her studies on consumer behavior and market research. Upon understanding needs for economic development, she facilitated workshops and programs for consideration in business and career exploration. Alexandria looks forward to furthering her experience in community development with Goodwill and empowering individuals through their connection to employment and the Power of Work!
On Tuesday August 29, Goodwill started our Tooling U Manufacturing Training Program at our DeVeaux Job Connection Center. The classes are Tuesday- Thursday 10-12, and all students are provided a laptop where online modules and instructions are given. When students successfully complete the program they will have an Advance Manufacturing Certificate. Program Manager Candace Odenweller and JCC Navigator Melody Godwin are facilitating the class and helping each participant successfully make it through the program.
Congratulations to all the participants and way to go Candy and Melody!
Goodwill was pleased to participate in National Night Out, hosted by the Toledo Police Department. National Night Out is an event to cities across the nation participate in to foster the relationship between safety forces and the community. Goodwill joined Toledo Police, Firefighters, and other community partners in providing a fun evening while bringing back a true sense of community. Amazing evening for our community and Goodwill is excited to return next year!
Amy Wachob, CEO; Kellie Schlachter, CFO and David Takats, CMOFun in the community
Philip came to Goodwill following incarceration looking to better his life and gain employment opportunities. “Goodwill has provided assistance with getting my driver’s license, work clothes and boots. I am currently residing in Toledo and am employed part-time at Expresso Carwash, and I am a part-time student at Topp of the Line Barber College. Since having been incarcerated I’ve gotten a closer relationship with my family and children. My future goals are getting my barber’s license, obtaining my LLC, and opening up my own barber shop.” Congratulations Philip, Goodwill looks forward to seeing the wonderful things you accomplish!
Ten Steps to Get Organized for Back-To-School Clothes Shopping By Lorie Morrero
We are fast approaching back-to-school time and now is a great time to share how to get ahead of the game with a quick project to ease your way into the shopping season.
Soon, back-to-school ads will be promoted everywhere, including your nearest Goodwill, with great deals on clothing and supplies. But the only way to take full advantage of these savings is to know what you need in the first place!
You can save the most time, money, and hassle if you know what you already have that works, what each child needs for the current season and what each child needs for the next season. So let’s help you get a step ahead by getting your kids’ clothing organized for some savvy shopping.
TEN STEPS TO BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLOTHING ORGANIZATION
Typically, you want to get as much of this project done as possible without the kids and involve them for a targeted amount of time at the end. If kids are older or if they are interested in the process, they may benefit from being involved so that they can learn from what you’re doing.
You’ll need the following supplies to get started:
Paper grocery sacks,
Plastic storage bins,
Permanent marker,
Paper and
Pen.
Bonus: label maker for bins
Let’s dive in:
Get the laundry done as much as possible to give you a full view of what you have. As you fold the laundry, note the sizes of the kids’ underwear, shirts and pants. Also make a note of anything that needs to be replaced.
Tell the kids you’re going to ask them later to try on a few clothes to see if they fit. Many children cooperate better if they have been given advance notice to transition into activities.
Start with the folded clothing in their dresser drawers, such as socks, underwear, shorts and sweaters. Check each item for size and wear-and-tear, neaten it up and organize it as needed. Make note along the way of anything you need to purchase.
If you’re not sure whether something fits, start a try-on pile for each child for later.
Anything that has been outgrown can be placed in a paper sack to donate to Goodwill. Mark the bag with the permanent marker with the word “donate.” You can also label and use the bags to sort other items like toys that need putting away in other rooms.
If you have younger family members who may want outgrown items as hand-me-downs, put these items in storage bins and label the full boxes by gender, range of sizes and season.
Next, move to the closet and tackle the hanging clothing. Keep noting what needs replacing and areas that are coming up short. Consider everything in terms of “good school clothes” and count how many shirts, pants and dresses will currently work.
Once you’ve gone through all of each child’s clothing, take whatever’s left in the try-on pile and grab the kids for a try-on session. Some kids may be more cooperative if you let them try-on while they watch a favorite show as a treat, and some may think it’s a big fun fashion show! Do have fun with it and work with your child’s preferences to make it painless for everyone.
Write down everything you notice that is needed and the correct sizes for everyone. Don’t forget underwear, socks, belts, ties, hair accessories, jackets, sweaters, school uniforms, “party clothes,” athletic shoes, casual shoes and dress shoes.
Take your bags of donations to your nearest Goodwill donation center. You can find the closest one using our locator. You’ll be helping fund programs and services in your own community that help people get good jobs while helping the planet too!
Now you’re ready! Your kids’ clothes are organized, and you have a list of exactly what you need to get from the big sales in a few weeks. And don’t forget the bargains you can get every day shopping at Goodwill, where gently used kids’ clothing can be the perfect way to save even more.
The Bowling Green Goodwill Store will have its Grand Reopening and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, March 1st at 10am.
The newly renovated store will have brighter lights, new flooring, new layout, new register systems and the brand new Goodwill Rewards Loyalty Program. And lots of great merchandise for you to choose from!
Goodwill’s Mission Services Department visited Birmingham Terrace, a property owned and managed by Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH). The Mission team went at the invitation of LMH and The Zepf Center and conducted outreach and intake. Approximately 30 residents attended and listened to the presentation and a number of individuals signed up for the Goodwill Career Path Program, the Goodwill Reentry Program, the Stay the Course Program and the Good Tech Program. It was a great atmosphere and the team provided individualized, one-on-one services. Everyone left the venue with a positive attitude and the natural questions was, “When are you guys coming back? We need you here.” Way to go Mission Services Team! We did some good!
