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Success Stories

Mission Moment: Meet Bryona

By Goodwill News, Mission Services, Success Stories, Testimonials, Workforce Development

Bryona has been working with Goodwill since June of 2023. The process was slow moving at first due to unforeseen circumstances but through it all, Bryona maintained that she wanted to keep working toward her goals. She states, “I am proud of myself for sticking with my job search even when it’s been hard.” At the start of her journey, she was unsure of herself and her abilities. After completing job seeking skills training with her Job Developer, she is coordinating interviews, maintaining a consistent meeting schedule, and scheduling her TARPS rides independently – all things she hadn’t done previously.  She expressed that she’s gained a lot of skills since working with Goodwill and “it’s a lot better than doing it on my own.” We are proud of you, Bryona!

Mission Moment: Meet Sammie

By community, Goodwill News, Mission Services, Success Stories, Workforce Development

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!

Mission Moment: Meet Terrell

By community, Goodwill News, Mission Services, Reentry Program, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Congratulations, Terrell, on your steadfast tenacity in accomplishing the task. Terrell first learned about Goodwill from Ohio Link, where he was a resident as a returning citizen. He was on the path to reentering to society from incarceration. The process was not easy.  He knew that he had many barriers that needed to be resolved in order to seek employment, which is why he initially came to Goodwill.

The initial thing that Terrell did was to connect with the Stay the Course Program. This program assisted him with paying his reinstatement fees in order to obtain his driver’s license. While he was getting that barrier removed, Terrell became familiar with the other programs that Goodwill’s Mission Services Department had to offer. The Stay the Course team introduced Terrell to Tisha Carroll, program manager of the Career Path program, where he was able to get his birth certificate and social security card and received referrals outside agencies to obtain housing and other wrap around services. Terrell then learned that Goodwill had a connection to the building trades (through the I75 Project), where he could pursue his main employment goal of skilled trade construction labor.

Terrell obtained his driver’s license and received training, through Goodwill’s collaboration with the Carpenter’s Union training facility in Rossford, Ohio.  The training led to his employment at Spieker Construction, working on the Goodwill Warehouse construction project.  Once he obtained the job at Spieker, Goodwill assisted Terrell with getting his work clothing, work boots and tools.  This reflects a full circle event. Furthermore, transportation was a barrier to going to different construction sites, so Terrell applied to the Tool Belt/Good Rides program for a vehicle to get him back and forth to work. This removed a barrier and allows Terrell to accept jobs around Northwest Ohio. Once again, great job, Terrell.  Well done.

Mission Moment: Meet Andrew

By community, Mission Services, Reentry Program, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Andrew came to us from Ohio Link and has been working with us since May of 2021. As a result, he was able to obtain meaningful employment, however upon his release from the halfway house he faced new barriers when it came to getting his driver’s license.

With assistance from Goodwill and Andrew’s continued patience he was able to obtain his driver’s license. Now, Andrew is enrolling in the carpentry program! Great job Andrew!!

Mission Moment: Meet Tracy

By Goodwill News, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Tracy first entered Goodwill’s services in Summer of 2021, during which he successfully participated in the Summer Youth Program. For both his junior and senior year, Tracy participated in Toledo Public School’s job training program. His most recent experience was working at St. Vincent’s hospital, where he worked in the dish room, completed housekeeping tasks, and fulfilled food orders for hospital staff. His teachers have noted that Tracy is a hard worker that has been observed to go above and beyond the assignment.

Recently, Tracy reentered Goodwill services, this time with the goal of non-permanent job development- which is a placement based on his status as a student. Tracy attained a job at McDonalds in the Southland shopping center. Tracy is doing fantastic in his new role. He has been trained in many areas- including preparing fries, cooking on the grill, and cleaning the restaurant. He is known to be a great teammate and his boss Ruby speaks very highly of him.

Impressively, Tracy continued his responsibilities as a student worker at St. Vincent’s, while also working at McDonalds after school. In May Tracy graduated from Bowsher High School in Toledo.

Good job and congratulations, Tracy!

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 Alvin

By Goodwill News, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Congratulations Alvin! Alvin came to the Goodwill Job Connection Center (JCC) on last year with aspirations to change his career and learn new skills.  Alvin interviewed for a position with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), as part of its collaboration with Goodwill.  He was hired and was preparing to work in transportation. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the start of the project. The good news is, the project resumed this summer and Alvin has been able to work on the project. He drives trucks and heavy machinery on the I-75 Project and at the Bowling Green ODOT office. He has secured his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and other transportation certificates, through ODOT in order to enhance his opportunities. We want to congratulate Alvin and encourage him to continue the great work.

 

Mission Moment: Meet Pam

By Goodwill News, Success Stories

Pam L. had been a participant with the Goodwill Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) since 2019.  SCSEP is specifically designed for participants age 55 and older.  Pam trained with different Host Agencies in order to sharpen her employment and training skills. Host Agencies partner with Goodwill in order to provide participants with real time work experience.  SCSEP Program Manager, Cyndie Lombardo had worked with Pam and watched her develop since the summer of 2021, she noticed that Pam had very good administrative skills.  Since Cyndie was new in her role, she needed someone to assist her in her duties and Pam was a perfect fit. Pam was hired, in December as Cyndie’s assistant.  She has proven herself to be very valuable assisting with day to day training of participants and learning the workings of the SCSEP Program.  Welcome aboard Pam!

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: I-75 Corridor Project with ODOT

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

On December 10th, the Goodwill Mission met the moment in the lower level of the Goodwill downtown building.  After a year (with a COVID-19 interruption), the Goodwill I-75 Corridor Project had a reception to celebrate the project’s success throughout our region! Approximately 50 individuals from Goodwill, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Adelante, the Carpenter’s Union Local 351, and local road contractor Kokosing Industrial, Inc. came together to commemorate the program participants and a successful collaboration. This program trained 40 individuals in the construction trades and employed 21 individuals with jobs on the I-75 Project.  Everyone enjoyed food, fellowship, fun and participants gave heartwarming testimonials of their experience.  A seed was planted for something greater in the future.  As a result of the success, ODOT would like to re-engage with Goodwill for 2022 and possibly take the program statewide with other Goodwill organizations! This is definitely one to watch!