The Three Eights: By Harry Corbissero

         There is a symbol I innovated when I first started working at Goodwill a number of years ago, illustrating what I believed was the very first thing people had to realize, under the general topic of job awareness. I used it to illustrate a premise I felt to be of vital importance for people just entering the workforce—the status of many of our clients—a relevance just as important today as it had been back then. And that is that our day is divided, quite simply, into three eight-hour segments: one for sleep, one for work, and one to have “fun”.

          The concept can suggest that “work is a lifestyle”—a way of life, as in the old days welfare had been—involving at least a third of your time for the greater portion of your time on earth—eight hours a day on average, for 20 to 30 years.

          As such, work is ideally not just something to be “fitted in” only to earn money; the high priority should be placed on finding work that suits you as an individual (the topic of another study unit), that you can take some real pleasure in doing. This makes sense because your life has more value than can be measured by dollar signs.

          The reason for this conclusion is also expressed in the symbol: Our life is not really the compartmentalized affair the symbol depicts.  If a person is totally unhappy for the eight hours a day he is working, this will infuse the rest of his life with the same colorization of regret, regardless of the degree of income involved. In short order, this could lead to a very drab existence.

          In my own situation I like to exchange ideas with people, and have been most fortunate to be able to find work that allows for this, concurrent to generating a livelihood.  To date it continues to be an enriching experience.

          If we are working “only for money” but at some task which goes against the personal grain in some fashion, I believe we will end the game feeling quite unfulfilled. I also believe it’s important for folks to know this at the very start of their vocational life if possible, rather than waiting until time runs out.

          To have a happy life, you must have a happy job… the “three eights” all constitute parts of one whole. This would seem to constitute a significant idea to include under the general banner of workforce development, one of both timeless and universal importance.

Picture Perfect: By Chloe Quinn

          On Saturday, July 30th, participants crowded Bridge Street as the Arts on Bridge Street Festival was in full-swing.  Vendors peddled their artworks, others sold tasty snacks, and a good time was to be had by all at this annual happening in historic Ashtabula Harbor.

          Inside Goodwill of Ashtabula, another part of the festival was occurring.  The winners, as well as all of the participants, of Goodwill’s first annual Photo Contest found all of their beautiful photographs hung and displayed for the public to see in Goodwill’s Topky Community room (on Goodwill Drive, next to the store). There were almost thirty photographers—amateur and professional—who tried their hand at entering the contest this year.  There were six categories, with a $50 Goodwill cash prize awarded for each.  The categories were as follows: Beach Scene, Human Interest Scene, Ship Scene, Wildlife Scene, Lift Bridge Scene and Selfie Category.

           The best-tried category was the Lift Bridge Scene, by far.  Many local photographers took it upon themselves to capture the iconic bridge at every angle possible, from day to night scenes, still shots and action shots, much like the winning shot that depicted a time-lapse scene, with fuzzy lines of car’s lights going by.

          Then there were the other winners, who were all equally stunning.  Marjorie, who won the Human Interest category for her beautiful shot of a young, blonde girl holding a fuzzy puppy, both yawning in unison, spoke up about her winning entry.   The young girl, Marjorie explained, was her grand-daughter, and they were visiting a puppy sanctuary.  “I just shoot just what I see, just like it is,” Marjorie explained, “And I never, ever use Photoshop. You can do anything with that stuff, and I don’t like using it.”

          Overall, the contest was quite a success, and it contributed its own measure of color to a very colorful event.  Plans are already in the works to make next year’s program even more comprehensive.

 

The yO! Clients Up Close: By Esmond Colvin

Alex Lohr

Alex is a senior at Lakeside High. At Goodwill, his daily task is to stay quite busy. When he isn’t sorting hangers and restocking the textile area, he’s supplying the store with newly priced wares. Alex’s hobbies consist of playing video games, reading science fiction, and bike riding. During his lunch hour, he competes with his fellow  yO! member, Alex Robinson, in a game of Yu-Gi-Oh cards. In the future, Alex wants to attend Kent State University and become a paleontologist. I can definitely see him digging up fossils from the past to enlighten our future.

Nautica Howell

Nautica is a student Lakeside High School, and she chose to work at Goodwill through the yO! program this summer. Nautica works in every department inside our Goodwill Production Area. She has priced wares, books, and shoes. Overall, she prefers to work in our electrical and mechanical (E&M) area. Her hobbies are basketball and fashion. She wants to attend Cleveland State University to study business. When asked what place she would like to visit, she quickly responded, “PARIS-- of course, the fashion capital of the world!”

Joleynie Ramos

Joleynie is a student at Lakeside High. If you don’t spot her in our Ashtabula Goodwill store hanging clothing or putting away wares, she’s probably pricing textiles. Joleynie selects only the best quality clothing to be shipped to our Goodwill stores. She also prices in our wares and shoe department Joleynie’s hobbies are shopping and volleyball. Her short term goal is to get her driver’s license, so she can drive her mom’s SUV.  Her long term goal is to go to college to become a police officer. Beware criminals: Officer Joleynie Ramos is in the making. 

Jayson Hernandez

As a student at Lakeside High, Jayson worked along with our Goodwill maintenance/custodial team Steven Ross and Arthur Munger this summer. Together, they painted picnic tables, repaired furniture, and participated in our comprehensive boat repair project. Jayson plans on becoming a barber and then going to college to become an architect. I see skyscrapers in his future.

Bryson Billig

Bryson, also a Lakeside High student, has the rare ability to make something out of nothing. Bryson noticed a furniture set with a rip along the seam. Bryson said that he could repair it, and to my surprise, he did! We gave him complete creative control over every project he worked on. With the help of his fellow yO! program worker Jayson Hernandez, they repaired bikes, furniture, and worked on our boat repair project. Bryson wants to become an electrician and to learn Japanese. Japan has tons of electronics for you, Bryson!

Samiya Harris

Samiya is about to be a senior at Lakeside High, who holds down a job at Wendy’s and also works through the yO! program here at Goodwill. She sorts textiles, but prefers the electrical and mechanical (E&M) department. Her favorite hobby is basketball. Samiya has an obsession with shoes, and, in fact, she has her own personal collection of Michael Jordan shoes. Samiya told me she prefers Apple phones over Android phones. Her goal is to someday become a nurse.

Alex Robinson & Marisa Weber

They’re our yO! program dynamic duo. Together, Alex and Marisa worked in both the electrical and mechanical, and wares departments. Marisa loves family time and one day wants to visit Disneyland. Alex loves technology and has plans on becoming a game designer.

Emily Montalvo

Emily is a mother of three young children. She wears many hats at the Ashtabula Goodwill. She works in textiles hanging and pricing racks of clothing, she’s our bilingual interpreter, and when she’s not tending to her family, she’s working through the yO! program down at our Walnut Beach concession stand. A mother’s job is never done.

Nicholas Carlisle

Nick is a father of an 18-month-old baby. Three months ago, Nick accomplished getting his G.E.D. He’s a Goodwill employee and also works through our yO! program. He’s our part-time truck helper, busy helping truck driver Dan Partridge load and unload daily donations all over northeast Ohio. Nick wants to some day visit Jamaica. His short term goal is to go back to school to become an electrician. Hey Nick, the money you’ll be making as an electrician will definitely pay for this future family trip to Jamaica!

Yarelis Pomales

Yarelis was busy this summer working in our textiles section of the production area. She is newer to the yO! team, but nonetheless was a shining example of a good worker; quick to smile, and always hard at work. We wish her the best of luck with her upcoming plans

Goodwill Graduates: By Steve Ross

         On August 12th, I was asked to sit in on the graduation of the students in the 2016 yO! program. What I witnessed and heard that day moved me in such a way that I believe everybody involved should get to share in this incredible experience.  I was moved by the wonderful speeches I heard and the emotions I saw on the individual’s faces that were in attendance.

          Esmond Colvin, Production Supervisor, gave a powerful opening speech. It was filled with so much inspiration that every student in the room should have felt that there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish in their lifetime. 

          Eric Schwarz, President/CEO, spoke of the future and the brightness that this group will one day shine down upon our community.  He was clear in letting them know there’s a job waiting for them at Goodwill if they so choose at some point in their careers.

          Harry Corbissero, Program Manager, touched me as he gave his speech. He became choked up as he spoke of this group, in particular. In his 30 years at Goodwill, this was the first time he witnessed such an exceptional display of the participants and the workforce coming together. He spoke of his optimism of the program, growing in leaps and bounds in the upcoming future and how proud he was of each of the kids.

          As each of the youth gave their speeches, you could hear how each one of them was touched to be a part of the 2016 yO! program. You could tell they had learned a lot about themselves and what they could achieve. As one of them shared how he found skills and abilities inside himself that he didn’t know he had, his true feelings were evident.

          At times, I wonder about the future and where we are all headed. After sitting in on the graduation of the 2016 yO! program, I think we are all going to be alright. I hope that this group of graduates understands how lucky they are to have so much support and encouragement from the staff and workers at Goodwill. I believe everybody involved will benefit from the 2016 yO! program, from every student to every worker, to every staff personnel that got to be a part of this amazing program. I learned a lot about myself watching young adults enter the workforce and I can’t help but think of how I would have benefitted from a program like this when I was looking for my first job.

          Congratulations, Goodwill, to the staff and the students of the 2016 yO! program.  See you next summer and here’s to a job well done.

New Faces at Goodwill: By Megan Myers

         Sometimes here at Goodwill, clients come along that end up becoming a perfect fit for hire. Some characteristics that these clients show are motivation, determination, and reliability.  These are common traits that clients work to perfect during their time in programming here at Goodwill.

          Below, I would like to introduce two of our clients from our programming that have recently been hired on as Goodwill employees. These are clients who showed that “special something” it takes to be noticed. So, we would like to extend an official welcome to Jessica and Brenda! Best of luck to you both.

          

Jessica started with the PRIDE program at the end of 2015. Being a single mother of two, Jessica was ready to get her life back on track. She was recently hired here at Goodwill, Ashtabula as a Store Associate.

Life Goal: “I want to become a vet tech. I like to work with animals.”

Favorite thing about the program: “The people. Everyone is really helpful here.”

Fun Fact: “I’m adventurous. I would travel anywhere if I had the money.” 

Brenda started in the Job Development program this past March. She is a hard-working individual with a great deal of motivation to work.  She constantly job searched and all of her hard work paid off when she was hired as a Store Associate for Goodwill, Ashtabula.

Life Goal: “I want to keep working.  In the future, I would like to maybe become an STNA.”

Favorite thing about the program: “The helpfulness of everyone.”

Fun Fact:  “I really like to read. I also like listening to ‘50’s music because it reminds me of the era my Dad was in.”

Comments From Our President/CEO Eric Schwarz

          Yet another summer passes in the “blink of an eye,” and now we look forward to autumn, another fabulous season for our area. In the past few months, our Goodwill family has had many successes worthy of celebration. These “Good” changes will continue as I watch our team strengthen and become familiar with their mission to each other and to the community. This autumn season will be a busy time as we prepare for CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) in November and begin setting up our new site in Harborcreek, PA where we will open both a new attended donation center and retail store. In Erie, Crawford, and Lake Counties, we have new staff and new programs in our training centers. Over the next few months, we expect to see considerable growth of our numbers served. This to me, is most significant, due to the expansion of our services being the ultimate goal of all growth here at Goodwill. I am proud of my employees and their dedication to service. Goodwill has much to be proud of, and again, I encourage everyone to support “Team Goodwill” and join us in becoming “Goodwill Ready.”

Sincerely,

Eric Schwarz