New Faces At Goodwill: By Zach Knight

     At Goodwill Industries: Serving Northeast Ohio & Northwest Pennsylvania, we firmly believe in our mission; Building self-sufficiency through the power of work. In order to fulfill that mission, we are constantly expanding our workforce and on-boarding talented individuals that are eager to change lives in the communities we serve. It is our pleasure to introduce three new individuals Goodwill has proudly added to our mission services and retail teams! 

Coji Maddona III works as a Job Developer, Job Coach, and a Classroom Instructor for Goodwill’s Workforce Development department. He previously was a teacher with the Bolivar-Richburg Central School District in Bolivar, NY. He enjoys anything pertaining to cars, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. He is originally from Smethport, PA, relocating to Erie to take a position with Goodwill. He graduated from Gannon University in Erie with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Coji chose to work for Goodwill because he wanted to work for a company that helps people to better themselves through the power of education and employment. He looks forward to growing with Goodwill, as Goodwill grows within our community.

Chelsea Schermerhorn is employed as an Instructor and Job Coach for the Workforce Development department at Goodwill. She previously was employed at Vertmarkets/Jameson Publishing as an Email Marketing Assistant, and also at MCRC Erie as a Tutoring Coordinator. Originally from Texas, Chelsea moved to Pennsylvania to attend Mercyhurst University in 2009, to pursue a degree in English and Religious Studies. She enjoys writing, reading, and playing video games when she’s not trying to convince her three-year-old son to snuggle. She is very excited about working with children and young adults, making a positive difference in their lives through Goodwill’s involvement in Erie and the surrounding communities.

Chris Oleski is our new Director of Donated Goods Retail.  Chris comes to us as a former 10-year board member of our organization. He has over 29 years of retail experience between Fisher's Big Wheel, OfficeMax, and most recently Ollie's Bargain Outlet. A lifelong resident of Erie, Chris attended Cathedral Prep high school and received his bachelor’s degree in Management from Gannon University. Chris is also a PIAA football official in the fall and can be seen working many Friday night high school football games throughout Erie County. Chris will be celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary to his wife Cheryl in 2018. They have two grown children; C.J. 28, and Lauren 25.

Oh, Yhe Places We Have Gone!: By Mary Murray

    It’s hard to say who had more fun this summer: the Goodwill Summit Workforce Development staff who tagged along or the clients who were able to experience a dream job.

The pace was fast and furious as staff scrambled to locations throughout Erie County to job coach clients in fun, unusual and creative work settings.

     The job shadowing and Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE), as it is formally called, are a collaboration of Goodwill and the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Under job shadowing, clients -- many who are either in high school or recent graduates -- simply observe various jobs at an employer. If the organization is a non-profit, they can dig right in and work alongside staff. Under the WBLE, clients are actually paid for the work they do.

     These young women and men worked or job shadowed with media employers such as WQLN, Erie’s Public Broadcasting Station; CATV, Erie’s cable access television; and MenajErie Studio, a video production house. Retailers included Subway, Perkins, Save-A-Lot, Big Lots and others. Non-profit partners who came on board were as varied as the Purple Martin Conservation Association; E.A.R.S, Erie’s rabbit rescue society; the ANNA Shelter; and Second Harvest Food Bank. 

     Two young men, armed with resumes, were able to secure paid work experience at two car dealerships in Corry and utilized their formal automotive training to gain more hands-on experience in the service departments.

     Another notable collaboration was with EmergyCare, which provided work to a young Corry man whose intent is to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The client, who is Red Cross certified and serves as a volunteer firefighter, was already enrolled in the company’s EMT training during his placement.

      As job coaches, the staff wore many hats – cheering on their students’ successes, gently coaxing them on business etiquette, and guiding them on processes and procedures in their jobs. Both work experience programs are continuing on a year-round basis with clients out to many exciting placements this fall and winter.

Goodwill Program Participants Crowned Royalty: By Hanni Nazario

     Goodwill program participants and high school sweethearts, Aaron and Jocie, won Homecoming King & Queen on October 14, 2017 at General McLane High School in Erie County! Aaron and Jocie are both participants in Goodwill's Youth Experience Success program at General McLane High School. Aaron also completed a Work-Based Learning Experience with Goodwill this past summer and was a student ambassador at the 2017 Pennsylvania Association of Goodwills conference in September.

     Aaron and Jocie are excellent examples of individuals with disabilities, thriving with support from family, school, and community. Our Goodwill organization is happy to have played a small role in their huge successes! Congratulations to these two wonderful students!

Lessons In Life - When The Student Teaches The Teacher: By Mary Murray

     Upon opening the door to the break room, I saw the young man sitting quietly, with a crochet hook and a ball of turquoise yarn, busily working. I asked what he was doing and he said, “I’m making a scarf.”

     How is it that you crochet, I asked? “I have autism and this calms me down,” he responded matter-of-factly.

To say that I was impressed was an understatement. First, here was a tall, strapping young man who had no qualms about crocheting in a public setting. Second, he ‘owned’ his disability, which I found refreshing, insightful, and a testament to his maturity.

     Previously, Alex had been a client at Goodwill, volunteering at various stations throughout the Summit store. Under the gentle guidance of Job Coach, Andre Lyons, Alex transitioned from a client to a sales floor employee. Now the tables were turned, and Alex was the teacher, giving me a few lessons.

     “Crocheting is way for me to deal with anger issues,’’ he explained, when pressed on how he came to embrace the hobby. I felt pretty inadequate after that. Here is a 20-year-old with the wisdom and insight to find a productive way to deal with his emotions. As for me, I had simply given up on this crocheting thing. 
     Being a natural leftie who is forced to live in a right-handed world, I bumbled and failed miserably over the years as right-handed crafters tried and tried again to teach me to crochet. I had resigned myself to the fact that crocheting was simply not in the cards for me, but nonetheless, it irked me that I couldn’t get the hang of it.
     Alex would have none of that negative talk. “You can do it,” he said. He sat with me and ever so patiently allowed me to fumble with the hook and yarn, before gently coaxing the first, then the second, and then a row of double crochet stitches. The next day he surprised me with a gift --  a small ball of gold yarn and a crochet hook so that I could practice. He checked in on me every few days, inspected my work, and told me to rip out my mistake – more than once! The role reversal was quite amusing, but I dutifully complied.

     I have learned a lot from Alex – how his patience could make a difference for me, but also the wisdom and insight this young man commands with regard to his life and in handling his emotions. Thanks, Alex. Oh yes, a scarf is coming your way!

Second Chance Citizen’s Circle: By Chloe Quinn

     On September 29, 2017, Goodwill Industries held a Second Chance Citizen Circle training at our Ashtabula office, hosted by Jennifer Boswell, the Reentry Coordinator from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction (ODRC). The event was an all-day training that focused on the development and management of a Citizen’s Circle group.

     The day began by defining: what is a Citizen’s Circle? First, some key terms. Re-entry was explained as the period in which individuals are released from prison or jail. There were 193 inmates admitted into jails and prisons in Ashtabula County just during the calendar year in 2016.  Recidivism is another key term to learn, which is the rate at which people return to a penal institution after serving an initial sentence. Ashtabula County has a recidivism rate that is lower than the state average, and providing returning citizens with support like Citizen’s Circle helps keep that number low.

     Many people come out of jails and prisons with multiple barriers to overcome. Many counties operate Citizen’s Circles as a way to assist returning offenders in navigating supports and services to readjust to society in a crime-free and productive manner. Circles involve volunteers from various local supports, ranging from social service agencies to faith-based organizations, who meet monthly with participants. A few of Goodwill’s local community partners represented at this training, were Community Counseling Center, ACCAA (Ashtabula County Community Action Agency), Catholic Charities, ACDL (Ashtabula County District Library), Signature Health, and  Everlasting Life Recovery Home. Partners assist citizens in developing an “Action Plan” that addresses their strengths and provides tools and guidance in order for them to achieve their goals.

Lake County Staff Introduces "Level-Up" Program: By Lake County Staff

     This program year, our Workforce Development staff in Lake County, adopted the theme “LEVEL-UP.” This theme refers to our participants’ progress in reaching personal, educational, and employment goals. This year’s classes have been framed around this theme by teaching participants about “Goal Setting,” “Time Management: Take Time to Make Time!” and the “Stages of Change.” Upcoming classes are “Successful Interviewing” and “This is Me!”, a group focused on empowerment that will include guest speakers and community leaders willing to share their own stories of leveling-up. Our participants are utilizing skills learned in class, and are adapting to the concept of “leveling up!” The following are some of our participant’s success stories:

- One participant graduated from Brown Aveda and received her advanced cosmetologist license from the Ohio State Board of Cosmetology.

- Through job placement services, one participant successfully interviewed, and accepted a full-time Shift Supervisor position with CVS.

- One participant is pursuing a dog grooming certificate, and has been hired at The Paw Wash after successfully completing a paid work experience. 

- One graduated this year from the Cleveland Institute of Dental & Medical Assistants, and is a registered medical assistant hired in at the Lake County Free Clinic after successfully completing a paid work experience.

- One participant successfully completed a paid work experience at our Madison Goodwill store, with hopes to gain customer service skills. She recently accepted a full time position in food service.

- Another participant is completing a paid work experience that is focused on training her in the area of administrative support. She currently has two placement interviews set up for full time positions in a real estate office, and insurance sales office.

Work Is Music To His Ears: By Mary Murray

    There’s one thing you should know about Tyler S. This young man is persistent. When most teenagers find it difficult to get out of bed on their summer break from school, Tyler, a graduate of North East High School, was up early calling the staff at the Goodwill Summit Workforce Development office, seeking information about his work-based learning experience. Under this program, Goodwill’s Summit Workforce Development staff, partners with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to coach clients while they are paid to work.

     Tyler knew this could be a good gig for him so he called in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and on the weekend. It was all good, illustrating that this young man is serious about his future.

     The staff was working to secure an audio production placement for Tyler; one that he had expressed an interest in. After a few promising inquiries, Tyler was able to work for not one, but three employers in his field. In fact, his success has led all three employers to request that he return to work for them next summer.

     Tyler spent 60 hours working for WQLN, Erie’s Public Broadcasting Station, as an audio production assistant. Tyler produced public service announcements, edited audio spots, and worked six weeks on the Sounds Around Town summer music concert series, setting up equipment before the concerts, tearing down, and working the audio board.

     Not one to lack energy, Tyler simultaneously worked for a private music studio on the days that he was not scheduled at WQLN. His third job was equally as exciting. He worked several long days as a camera operator and director for CATV, Erie’s community access television station during Erie’s Summer Blues & Jazz Festival and the annual Celebrate Erie festival.

     With all of that experience under his belt, we are sure that Tyler is taking California State University of Pennsylvania by storm this fall as a commercial music technology major. We’re sure we will be seeing more of Tyler’s name in the credits of future audio productions as he pursues his passion.

Pennsylvania Association Of Goodwills: By Zach Knight

     Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula, Inc. (Serving Northeast OH & Northwest PA) had the privilege of hosting this year’s annual PAG (Pennsylvania Association of Goodwills) conference through a two-day event that happened Thursday, September 28, 2017, and Friday, September 29, 2017, at the Erie Sheraton Bayfront Hotel. This was the first time in the event’s nine years that Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula, Inc. (Serving Northeast OH & Northwest PA) has hosted the annual event. The purpose of this conference is for Pennsylvania Goodwills to meet their peers, network with each other, share business and mission service ideas, as well as plan for the future. Retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General, Mark Ramsay, also made an appearance to discuss, "The Challenges of Leading and Managing the Work Force."