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Success Stories

Dec 07 2021
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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!

Nov 05 2021
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Mission Moment: Meet Kaniya

By Goodwill News, Success Stories, Workforce Development

They say that “second time’s a charm”, and that’s turning out to be true with Kaniya. Kaniya had a previous job development case through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and Goodwill where she became employed at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium. However, the chill autumn weather brought a slowdown in zoo visitors and Kaniya was laid off. Not to be deterred, Kaniya contacted OOD and with the assistance of her Goodwill job developer, Kaniya was able to navigate her way through the Covid-19 pandemic and a virtual job fair which was a new experience for her!  A successful interview again brought her the part-time job she had been seeking. Now Kaniya is a Fashion Stocker at the Meijer in Maumee.  Her supervisor says that Kaniya does a good job and is really coming into her own. That’s the power of work!

Oct 28 2021
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Meet Yashica: Skill Up to Move Up

By Goodwill News, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Skill Up to Move Up (“SUMU”) works to remove barriers to employment recognizing that success is rarely a straight line from point A to point B.  Our participant, Yashica, connected with her success coach, Lakishia, to address educational barriers, primarily a lack of access to technology. Lakishia worked with the SUMU partners to find this much-needed resource and now Yashica is taking part in GED online classes.

Yashica and Lakishia continued to work together researching the best training opportunities for her.  As a result, she was able to receive her Forklift Certification and is actively seeking employment in the Manufacturing Industry.  The SUMU team is committed to helping its participants define what success means to them and how to establish their path to achieving their goals.

Oct 27 2021
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Meet Adam: Summer Youth Work Experience

By Goodwill News, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Adam participated in the Summer Youth Work Experience last summer and received services from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities for vocational services.  While participating in summer youth, he gained viable work history and showed a great work ethic.  After summer youth, he participated in job development services to search for permanent community employment.  Adam had the opportunity to interview with Marshall’s and was offered the job on the spot.  He accepted the position and started working that same week.  His job duties include cleaning high-touch areas, collecting carts, layups, and greeting customers as they come into the store. By Adam participating in summer youth, he was able to take those skills he learned and apply them to his job at Marshall’s.  Keep up the great work Adam!

Oct 26 2021
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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.

Apr 20 2021
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Mission Moment: Meet Laquasia

By Goodwill News, Retail Stores, Success Stories, Workforce Development

When Laquasia first came to Goodwill Industries at the end of the summer of 2020, she was unsure of herself.  She was referred to Goodwill, by Opportunity for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) for Job Development Services, and she had experienced a number of life challenges.  All she wanted was a chance to show what she could do.  She began by doing a Community Based Assessment (CBA) for a week at the Goodwill store at DeVeaux.  She did an excellent job and the Job Coach recommended her for employment as a Processor, sorting textiles.  As soon as this recommendation occurred, an opening for a Processor opened at the Goodwill Secor store.

Laquasia was hired and immediately, became part of the Goodwill family.  She is admired by her co-workers and she loves her job.  She looks forward to going to work and her self-confidence has increased so much so, that she is now looking at making some bold, independent lifestyle improvements.  The smile speaks volumes!

Nov 30 2020
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Mission Moment: Meet Ty

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

 

Tyrone (Ty) has been involved with Mission Services since January. His mother, Demetria, The Spaghetti Warehouse, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, and Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio’s Workforce Development, came together to support Tyrone in his quest for his first  part-time job. First, Ty completed a community based assessment at The Spaghetti Warehouse. This allowed him to identify and develop on-the-job skills.

After completing Goodwill’s employment skills training, resume development, and interview skills training, the pandemic hit. For a while, things ground to a halt in Ty’s chosen field of food service and restaurant work. However, Ty’s persistence resulted in his being hired by The Spaghetti Warehouse as a porter and dishwasher. In his time as a restaurant team member, Ty has made great strides in the world of community employment. Restaurant general manager, Chad Swint, and his Goodwill Job Developer, Bernie Filipski, report that Ty is doing great on the job! He really looks forward to receiving a paycheck every other week! This is truly “The Power of Work”!

Oct 13 2020
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Mission Moment: Jordan

By Goodwill News, Retail Stores, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Jordan participated in Goodwill’s five week summer youth work experience program in partnership with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.  He worked at our Reynolds Road Goodwill store and learned the importance of punctuality, following directions, and thoroughness in completing his job duties.   This opportunity also gave him meaningful work experience to include on his resume and transferable job skills to use in the future. His dedication and hard work was noticed by management which lead to him being hired permanently at the same store.  Jordan was excited to become a Goodwill employee, and he enjoys working with his co-workers very much. Congratulations, Jordan, and keep up the hard work!

Sep 16 2020
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Mission Moment: Meet Trinity

By Success Stories

Trinity is a single mom who came to Goodwill seeking assistance with finding employment. After working with our Job Connection Center staff, she was hired at Dale-Riggs Funeral Home in August where she is working in an administrative capacity. Specifically, she helps in the main office and with arrangements for the funeral services.  She is very excited about this new opportunity and is looking forward to learning more about the business and growing within the organization. Congratulations and good luck, Trinity!

Jan 29 2020
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Meet Robert

By Contract Services, Success Stories, Testimonials

Robert McIntosh walked into the Job Connection Center on October 30, 2019 determined to change his future. He had heard from a family friend, that there was a company looking to hire for call center work and thought it would be worth a shot to check it out. According to Robert, he was “desperately looking for a job.”

Robert completed an online application with Credit Adjustment Inc. (CAI, Inc.) that day and registered to participate in the Job Readiness Program in November. Upon completing the three day, 16 hour training, Robert was scheduled for an interview with CAI, Inc. later in the week.

Robert says, “I haven’t interviewed for a real job in 10 years and the job readiness course helped me to ask the right questions at the right time.” We are happy to report that Robert is joining the company effective the first week of January 2020. He goes on to say, “I didn’t think I was going to get a job so fast, because I had been out of the office setting for 10 years.”

Thanks to his new job, Robert says, “Now I will be able to buy clothes and go on trips like I used to do. And I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to afford it, because I have a JOB!!! My first major investment will be to purchase a good used car.”

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