On June 16th, join us for a parking lot party at the Madison Ave location! There will be fun, food and other activities! Goodwill’s community partners will be there with information for you to start your journey to job skills and job opportunities. Need assistance with work clothes and boots? Stop out and learn what Goodwill and our partners can do for you! For more information contact Tisha at tcarroll@goodwillnwohio.org or call 419-255-0070.
Hope to see you there!
On April 25th and 26th in Columbus, Ohio, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) had its 5th Annual Civil Rights Transportation Symposium, downtown at COSI. It was a special event, led by Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D., Director Ohio Department of Transportation. Specials guests were Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Secretary of State, Frank LaRose. The symposium had a number of workshops on diversity and inclusion along with workforce development of disadvantaged populations. Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc. was represented at the symposium by Eric W. Slack, Director of Mission Services. Eric was invited to be a speaker and panelist to address the issue of “Initiatives to Increase Diversity in the Construction Workforce”, where the Moderator was Myron Pakush, Ohio Turnpike Corridor Administrator.
One of the main topics covered was Goodwill’s coordination of the I-75 Corridor Project in 2020-21, where in collaboration with ODOT; contractors such as E. S. Wagner Company and Kokosing Industrial, Inc.; Local Union 351 and Adelante worked together to recruit 50 individuals to receive job training and barrier removal; 35 of those individuals were placed in construction jobs on the I-75 project. These participants were from the 43609 zip code area, which is one of the sections of the city, most impacted by the construction. The success of this project has provided a template to use to recruit, train, develop and place minorities, women, returning citizens and other marginalized individuals in skilled trades and construction jobs, funded by ODOT. The presentation was well received and the project will be replicated around the state of Ohio, utilizing other Goodwill’s and ODOT. This will be transformation in so many ways!
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is partnering with Goodwill and Adelante on The I-75 Workforce Initiative which will recruit men and women who live in the Old South End Neighborhood. The goal of The I-75 Workforce Initiative is to create an environment that will provide at least 25 residents from the Old South End Neighborhood with the encouragement, preparation, and opportunity to enter positions within the field of construction and related skilled trade fields.
An Informational Session was held at Adelante where ODOT, building trades, and prime contractors were on site to speak directly with the participants and answer specific questions. Thirty-one participants were in attendance and enrolled in the program who will receive Job Readiness and Financial Literacy training. We are grateful to ODOT for this wonderful opportunity!
Tisha Carroll’s mission has been to help individuals actualize potential paths, once deemed impossible, by way of instruction, volunteerism, and advocacy. As a new member of Goodwill’s Job Connection Center staff, Tisha is still able to fulfill her mission by being a source of hope and support for a population of individuals that may face barriers to employment. As a former financial coach with the Financial Opportunity Centers, Tisha has developed financial strategies that have produced positive outcomes by building relationships and delivering effective counseling practices. Tisha is very excited to help create success for those visiting the Job Connection Centers.
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