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Reentry Program

Mission Moment: Ohio Dept. of Transportation and Goodwill’s Collaboration

By Goodwill News, Job Openings, Reentry Program, Success Stories, Workforce Development

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!

 

Mission Moment: Meet Dontae

By Goodwill News, News For You, Reentry Program, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Dontae came as a referral from the local Volunteers of America (VOA) at the beginning of January. He had been released from prison for 6 months and he was a transitional control.  He was job searching and he was referred to Goodwill Industries from his case manager at the VOA.  Dontae obtained employment with the help of the Goodwill Reentry Navigator at the Toledo Mobis of North America production facility in the Chrysler Jeep industrial complex.  Once he obtained the job, the Goodwill Reentry program assisted him with purchasing some work clothing and work boots for him.  Dontae is very happy and pleased with his job and the services he received at Goodwill.  Nice work Dontae!

Mission Moment: Ravine Park Village

By Goodwill News, Reentry Program, Success Stories, Workforce Development

The Lucas County Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) requested Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc. to come to the Ravine Park Village Community Center in order to share the services that Goodwill performs.  Two team members went to Ravine Park Village on Friday, December 3rd.  The team members were expecting to speak to 30-40 residents, however, to their surprise, they were met by 140 residents that were eager to hear about the services that Goodwill has to offer, including job training and development, Reentry, the Stay the Course Program, the Toolbox Program and the Community Employment Program.  The energy in the room resulted in interest for all of the programs!

Team members spoke to as many residents they could.  To their surprise, when they arrived back to Madison Ave, about 30 residents were waiting, ready to sign up with the Job Connection Center (JCC), the Reentry Program, Community Employment and barrier removal services.  It was such a success that LMHA has requested that Goodwill return to do another presentation in February 2022.  The entire Mission Department will attend this presentation to do intake to those participants that attend in order to bring Mission to the Community.  We can’t wait!

Meet Jose: Reentering Citizen

By Reentry Program, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Jose came to Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio, Inc. in the fall of 2020 for Job Development services as a referral from the State of Ohio Office of Opportunity for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).  In addition, Jose was a returning citizen to the Toledo community after a long prison sentence. This allowed him to be placed in the Goodwill Reentry program as well.  Jose performed well in job training and began the portion of job development in early 2020.  His job search was paused because of Covid-19 during the winter and spring of 2020.

Once services resumed, Jose applied for a position in the Goodwill Contracts Division as a Driver.  His job duties are to drive a team of Goodwill janitors to a designated job site and return them to the Goodwill office at the end of their shift.  He also performed janitorial duties at the site as part of the team.  Jose has performed his job in an exemplary manner.  A driver position is extremely important because the entire janitorial team is dependent upon his attendance, timeliness, and consistency.  His supervisor always speaks well of him and he has been a welcome addition to the Goodwill family.  The position has allowed him to become a productive member of the community as well as giving him the resources to take care of his family.

Mission Moment: Focus on Goodwill’s Workforce Development Team-Stay the Course

By Goodwill News, Grants, News For You, Reentry Program, Workforce Development


The Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) recently gave the 2020 Community Reentry Award to Willie Knighten. NABCJ states that “This award is given to a person or group who works tirelessly in the community to bring about justice for all. They work with persons who are recently released from incarceration and are struggling with their reentry. They show an unwavering commitment to helping others regardless of the cost.”

Willie has been a Reentry Navigator with Goodwill since 2016. In that time, he has worked with countless returning citizens to help guide them through the process of getting their license reinstated, obtaining industry-recognized credentials, and securing gainful employment. He has definitely displayed “an unwavering commitment” and is most deserving of this prestigious award. Congratulations, Willie!

APA Award

Congratulations to our Goodwill Building The Future Team

By Goodwill News, Reentry Program, Testimonials


Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio was recognized as an Excellent Community Partner for its support of the Reentry Coalition of Northwest Ohio and its community reentry events. Karyn McConnell, Director of Mission Services; Willie Knighten, BTF Navigator; and Jacob Spellis, BTF Navigator sit on the Board of Directors for the Reentry Coalition. Willie and Jacob are the Chairmen of the Employment Committee while Karyn will chair the newly-created Women’s Committee beginning next year.

Goodwill’s reentry efforts are certainly being noticed in the community!