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Workforce Development

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.

Job Connection Center Staff Member: Meet Tisha

By Goodwill News, Job Openings, News For You, Workforce Development

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.

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!

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!

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”!

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!

Amy Wachob speaking at The Rotary Club

Goodwill Collaborates with Local Nonprofits

By Goodwill News, Workforce Development
Amy Wachob speaking at The Rotary Club

Amy Wachob speaking at The Rotary Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy Wachob, the CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio Inc., introduced the Working Better Together initiative at Toledo Rotary today.

This is a collaboration of Goodwill, Lott Industries, The Ability Center, and The Epilepsy Center.

The initiative is to work with fellow Rotarian’s and other employers in the areas to find jobs for the ready to work disabled in our community. The goal is to place 15 disabled candidates in employment each year for five years. Goodwill will be the gatekeeper of the candidates and outcomes.

Meet Keith

By Contract Services, Success Stories, Workforce Development

Keith has been a familiar face at Goodwill Industries for the last five years. In 2013, he started working with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and selected Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio as his vendor to receive vocational services through the Workforce Development program. The first step for Keith was to complete a Community Based Assessment. After he completed the assessment, he started to work with a professional job developer to learn Job Seeking Skills Training and Job Development. In July of 2014, he attended an interview with the CEO of Goodwill and was hired at Goodwill as a part-time building janitor. Since then, Keith has increased his hours and at times works full-time as needed. Keith indicates that “he likes the Goodwill staff and the experience of working at Goodwill Industries Northwest Ohio”. When speaking with his supervisor, he states that Keith is “joyful, courteous, and does his job quietly with no complaints is always willing to help out in the Contracts Division and work various contracts including festivals.” Congratulations to Keith for celebrating 5 years of employment with Goodwill!