New Faces At Goodwill: By Zach Knight

          Over the past few months, Goodwill Industries: Serving Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania has had several office and managerial opportunities become available in both of the states we serve. The opportunities presented to the chosen individuals, in turn, presented great opportunities to Goodwill, as we recognize the great talent and aptitude these folks bring to our team. Without further ado, we would like to introduce these new talented faces that we have the pleasure of working along side, here at Goodwill:

Katrina works as Goodwill’s Office Specialist and Receptionist. She previously worked at the Lake Co. Juvenile Court as a Deputy Clerk, prior to coming to Goodwill.  She enjoys working out, coaching track & cheerleading, cooking and doing anything with her children.  She’s lived in Ashtabula her whole life and attended the University of Akron as well as Kent State University, studying Computer Tech. and Communications. Katrina says she chose to work for Goodwill because she loves to be a part of an organization that helps the community. She says she has learned a lot about the programs Goodwill has to offer in the short time that she’s been here, and she’s looking forward to growing with the organization.

Sean works as Goodwill’s Store Manager in our Summit Towne Center store in Erie, Pennsylvania. Prior to working at Goodwill, Sean worked several jobs, but the most recent was a position as Assistant Manager at Dunham’s Sports. He enjoys playing soccer in the majority of his free time, but also likes to fish and do woodworking. Sean is originally from Zelienople, PA, but moved to Erie in 2009. He is now attending Edinboro University, working to obtain a degree in Forensic Accounting. What Sean enjoys most about working for Goodwill, is the feeling of helping someone; either through our Workforce programs, or by providing cheaper goods for individuals who may be in a time of need.

Douglas works as Goodwill’s Production Manager in our Summit Towne Center store in Erie, Pennsylvania. He began his career in the Electronics Industry, and has moved on to work in various fields such as the "Green" Rail Industry, the Medical Equipment Industry and the Electronics Recycling Industries as a Production Manager. During his off hours, Douglas enjoys cooking, grilling and smoking meats, as well as various sports such as Baseball, Wrestling, Boxing and Soccer. When he finds the time, he also enjoys fishing in the area's lake and streams. Douglas is a McKean resident and graduate of General McLane High School & Erie County Vo-tech, with continued education through Penn State Behrend. The decline in the area's manufacturing market brought Douglas to the area of Retail. Douglas brings the working knowledge of efficiency, accuracy and speed when processing the thousands of donations on a daily basis. The knowledge and training he shares with his team is valuable in the continued growth and development that Goodwill provides. The personal development that Douglas has experienced for himself, in this particular sector of the community, has been extremely rewarding and satisfying.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: By Mary Murray

         On an unusually balmy afternoon, Andre Lyons used his quiet charm, sense of humor and deep affection for the mission of Goodwill to inspire a group of students at Fort LeBoeuf High School to follow in his footsteps at the Summit Towne store.

         Andre led a group of six students, grades 9 to 12, in the first tour of what promises to become a staple for the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Following the two -and-one-half hour event, the students gave Andre a thumbs up for showing them all facets of the Summit operation. Many excitedly told Andre that they liked the hands-on experience they received.

       Andre, Job Coach and Employment Specialist, began his tour by sharing the history of Goodwill, discussing the job responsibilities of team members and stressing the importance of teamwork needed to accomplish the store’s operational goals. Accompanying him on the tour was new employee, Angela Murosky, an instructor in Workforce Development.

Later, students shared in writing their own definition of teamwork with such phrases as, “Teamwork is a greater thing than being alone on a team,” and “One person doesn’t make a team. More is what makes a team.”

         

        Following the writing exercise, Andre took the students outside to the front of the store and began to methodically explain the donation process, starting with the donation boxes. Stepping back inside the store, students met Katrina and learned about the Attended Donation Center and the customer service required to provide donation receipts and carry in boxes for donors.

          

    Next stop was Textiles, at which Andre explained the value of teamwork needed between production employees Tasha and Tia to sort, tag, and hang the clothes properly on the racks for eventual merchandise fulfillment in the store. He explained that the team checks each other. “If one misses something, the other will catch it,” he told the students, adding that if items are not properly hung on the racks it can create “tension” between co-workers in the warehouse and retail floor.

          

A Constancy of Purpose: By Harry Corbissero

          Some years ago, the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran an essay contest, “Why You Love Your Job.” The prize was five thousand smackeroos, and I entered. I didn’t win (they had 1,400 entrants), but I would like to share my submission because it really tells you something about what has sustained me in my instructional role over my long tenure here at Goodwill Industries. Okay, here it is:

          I feel quite passionate about my job and, if that’s love such a designation is okay with me.

          I work in the field of rehabilitation (now Workforce Development) as an instructor of both life and work-related skills, and have been doing so since 1987. I deal with people who have barriers to employment.

          One barrier the vast majority of the individuals I’ve encountered over the years share in common is feeling themselves to be “not as good as others,” for reason of the aforementioned personal barriers, as well as just being unemployed. My central mission is to help these folks learn to readjust their self-views and reignite their inner spark, giving rise to hope and new ambition.

          I’ve certainly encountered days when my own inner voice suggests to me that there are easier ways to make a living, but over riding these monetary lapses is the tremendous gratification I experience when I witness people move past the looming crevasse of their own self-doubt, and gain a more stable footing on the other side.

          That step is crucial as a preamble to further growth. And, as the old saying states, the first step is often the hardest one to take.

          I hope you’d agree that this idea still has a value, in spite of what a different world we live in these days.

A Little Support Makes A Big Difference: By Sandi Allison

          Our Lake County Training Center Manager, Rosemary, recounts a story of how little things motivate people we serve.

          One of our participants, who is a kind, creative, single mother motivated to make a better life for herself and her son, had been struggling with drug addiction prior to her pregnancy and ended up with a criminal conviction that landed her incarcerated. Rosemary reached out to her, writing her a supportive letter while she was in jail. The participant sent a return letter and said, “I’d like to thank you for reaching out to me the way you did. It means a lot to know I still have people wanting to help.” She then said, “I would like you to visit after I am transferred because I’ll be able to wear my own clothing and it won’t be behind bars.”

          Rosemary tells us, “Those words reinforced my belief that supporting our participants, even if it must be done remotely, is critical to their morale, their motivation, and ultimately to their success.”

What Does It Take?: By Chloe Quinn

          What does it take to turn a client into an employee? This question could evoke debate, but two clear answers are evident when you look at the team at Goodwill, Ashtabula. Both Myles Beckwith and Kaylee Parmertor began their adventure at Goodwill as clients -- in the yO! (Youth Opportunity) and PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in Developing Employment) programs, respectively. They are both now seasoned employees, who bring their talents and skills to work with them every day, in turn making life better for those in Northeast Ohio. In their time here, they have both become highly valued members of our team.

Myles began his time at Goodwill as a yO! program participant in August of 2015. Within months, he realized that he would enjoy working here, and so in October of 2015, he applied and was hired into the position of General Laborer.  Since then, he has turned production in the wipers area around, out-performing prior production numbers in this area. Way to go, Myles—keep up the amazing work!

Kaylee began her journey as a PRIDE program participant in January of 2016.  When she was offered a chance to work here, she turned her chance into an opportunity, and took it in June of 2016. She now works as a General Laborer in the Goodwill, Ashtabula production area, and you will find her smiling face sorting and testing items in E&M (electronics and mechanical), or doing anything else asked of her. Congratulations, Kaylee; keep on moving up!

          The moral of this story is this: don’t let your story end in the middle of a sentence! There are many programs available to help individuals succeed here at Goodwill, no matter where they might be at in their story. We believe in the transformative power of work- and that belief shines through in our success stories such as these shared by Myles and Kaylee!

Fueling Your Passion: By Mary Murray

          There was a buzz of activity, lots of chatter and peals of laughter in Room 152 as students at General McLane High School put their passion to work busily cutting, pasting, gluing, and drawing on their poster boards.  In the process, they also honed their negotiating and teamwork skills.

          The interactive, hands-on activity was designed by instructor Angela Murosky as a means of making the learning a fun activity while teaching a lesson on volunteering. First, she had the students watch a video focused on making a difference in the lives of others.  In another classroom with older students, Angela added another component, requiring students to fill out a worksheet on transferrable skills, such as teamwork, customer service, time management and organizational skills – that would be developed through volunteering.

          Students, working in groups of four, leafed through a directory of 30 volunteer organizations compiled by their instructor. The group had to reach a consensus on which non-profit agency it would select. Then the students dug in, making a poster with markers, pencils, drawings and other images to showcase the work of the agency. Each group was required to provide some specific information – contact information, illustrate what the agency does, and who it serves -- and were urged to be as creative as possible. After the students completed the assignment, they were required to make a formal presentation. One group member was chosen to be the presenter and his/her job  was to explain to the class why the agency was chosen, what they do, and identify the constituents they serve.

          The activity was an overwhelming success, Angela said, prompting students to speak with passion about causes they find important – whether it’s the ANNA Shelter or Asbury Woods Nature Center in Millcreek. One student, Tori, was so excited about the project learning more about the ANNA Shelter, that she asked whether she could take the poster home to show it to her mother, Angela said.

          The assignment gave students more information about community resources and how they might pursue volunteering – simply as a means of giving back. The bonus is that many students also reflected on their choice as a career opportunity -- a goal that aligns perfectly with Project Youth Experience Success.