Filed under: Career Services, Success Stories | Tags: Business, Goodwill Industries International Week, Goodwill Week, incarceration, Job Training, Kim Gray, Project Re-entry, recidivism, Success Story, Triad Goodwill, United States
Every day, Triad Goodwill strives to improve the lives of those facing employment barriers. The support from people like you in our stores, in our resource centers, at our area colleges and in our communities is what allows Goodwill to provide our unmatched opportunities.
As Goodwill Industries International Week rounds out today, meet Rodney Hamilton. While at first unsure if he wanted to tell his story, he then decided it was a story worth telling…
“I first learned about the program that offers local support and employment skills to serving and former offenders, Project Re-entry, while incarcerated. After I got out, I ran into Triad Goodwill Project Re-entry Coordinator Kim Gray, and Winston-Salem area Project Re-entry Coordinator Michael Thomas. They shared with me some successes from the program and the possibilities I could achieve.
After working with Project Re-entry for about two months, I obtained a job at EAS Construction Company.
Now, I try to stay around positive people. It definitely helps to have a support system. I learned to not give up, and Kim especially, helped me to not lose focus.
I would recommend Project Re-entry to anyone.
Call (336) 275-9801 for additional information on the Project Re-entry program.
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Filed under: Career Services, General, Success Stories | Tags: Assistance, Business, Career Center, Employment, free, Goodwill Industries, Greensboro, Greensboro North Carolina, Job Traning, Marla Sims, People, Preston Martin, success, Triad Goodwill, United States, Work
Triad Goodwill helped more than 1,725 people find jobs last year. This Goodwill Industries Week, we want to say thank you for your support. Your generosity helps us provide job training and community services to help people become independent.
Now, meet Marla Sims. After losing her job, she discovered our North Elm Career Center and the rest is history…
“If you are looking for career advancement, employment or just need to update your skills, I would recommend everyone visit the North Elm Career Center in Greensboro or the closest Triad Goodwill Career Center in your area.
When my full time job was phased out, I was referred to Goodwill, so I could learn about the Career Center’s free employment and job search programs and services. The center provides computers, faxing/phone calls to potential employers, job training, educational development and much much more. Goodwill on-site job counselors are available to assist with resume development, cover letters, applications, and one-on-one career counseling. The employees are very helpful and knowledgeable.
North Elm Career Center in Greensboro has been very instrumental in me obtaining Full-Time Employment. Thanks Goodwill for all you do!!!
Plus meet Preston Martin, a Jobs on the Outside participant who after being incarcerated, found success with Triad Goodwill http://www.youtube.com/user/TriadGoodwill.
Filed under: Anniversary, Fashion, General, Retail and Donations | Tags: anniversary, April 19, Birthday, Business, Cake, Coupon, Goodwill, North Carolina, North Elm, North Elm Street, retail, Shopping, Triad Goodwill
What could you do with an extra $5 at a Triad Goodwill store?!
Our North Elm Street location is turning 1-year old and we’re going all out to celebrate! On April 19, come out to an all-day party with the North Elm staff and our friends at 105.7 NOW to commemorate one year from the opening of our first retail store and career center model. Since, the location has become a neighborhood shopping favorite, a donation resource, and more than 800 people have utilized the career center’s free job training services.
But what’s a birthday without cake or present?!
PRINT OFF the below $5 coupon, good on April 19 at our 3519 North Elm Street store in GSO only, towards your total purchase. (You get the present, but save a little cake for us!)
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Filed under: Fashion, General, Rock the Runway | Tags: Arts, Business, design, Fashion, fashion show, Goodwill, Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Hanna Garner, Magazines and E-zines, News & Record, Rock the Runway 2012, Runway, Tina Firesheets, Triad Goodwill
News & Record Features Reporter and Goodwill Enthusiast talks about her fashion show experience…
It was my first time attending Rock the Runway, and it was really cool to see this caliber of a fashion show here in Greensboro.
It really drew a diverse crowd – from young teenagers to grandmothers. And you could tell a lot of people really had fun getting dressed up for the show. I love clothing and fashion, so it was really neat to check out what everyone was wearing at the mixer.
The show, itself, was even more fun because the audience was so supportive. The applause and cheers as the models came down the runway was really infectious.
The looks, themselves, were totally amazing. I have shopped Goodwill, so I wasn’t surprised that you could get such finds there, but it was super cool to see how everything came together – shoes, handbags, the amazing jewelry (which I know didn’t come from Goodwill, but totally complemented the outfits).
Because Hannah, the stylist, is a fashion expert, it also was a neat preview to what’s going to be hot this spring and summer!
See the amazing looks from the Rock the Runway 2012 show at http://goodwillrocktherunway.org/.
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Filed under: Career Services, General, Success Stories | Tags: Business, Canada, Career Services, classes, Employment, free, Goodwill Industries, Reidsville, Rockville Maryland, Triad Goodwill, Unemployment, United States, Work
Each week, Triad Goodwill will highlight someone who has achieved employment success, thanks to Goodwill.
Read Karen Stubblefield’s Success Story below…
After 25 years in Food Service Management, my current position of 5 years that I had hoped I would retire from was phased out. There I was just like over 37,000 other people in Rockingham County jobless. I was jobless but not hopeless. My search began. Weekly you could find me utilizing all the resources available to me in the Reidsville Community Resource Center. I would invest three days a week at the center and two days a week at the public library job searching, researching and thinking. What was I thinking? I was thinking I won’t be out of work long. I have a very strong work ethic and coupled with my years of experience there must be hundreds of jobs available to me.
Hopeful and not without help, Dot Dunlap, the receptionist at the Reidsville Community Resource Center asked me to attend some classes. I did. I enrolled in the Advanced Computer Class, the Employability Skills Class, and the Money Smart Class. I successfully completed them all. While using the Network Room I submitted my resume that was written for me while I attended the Employability Skills Class. I was able to obtain a part-time job, continued to use the services at Goodwill.
One day while I was in the network room Ms. Dot told me she was getting promoted and would be working at the Eden Community Resource Center. She asked “why don’t you apply for the receptionist position here in Reidsville.” I replied, “it’s really not my line of work, but maybe my skills will be transferable.” Dot politely encouraged “you will never know until you try.” I applied, was called for an interview, and got the job!
Now I’m the receptionist at the Reidsville Community Resource Center, and I’m able to assist people who are where I was. I know how it feels to be out of work and seeking employment. Just as all the employees at the center helped me successfully integrate into the labor market, I now can assist others. I put people to work!
For additional information about Triad Goodwill’s Resource Centers and free career exploration, career planning, job search strategies, interviewing techniques, money management and computer skills, visit www.TriadGoodwill.org.
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Filed under: General, Going Green | Tags: Business, Christmas, Christmas and holiday season, Gift, Gift wrapping, New Year, Shopping, Triad Goodwill, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Triad Goodwill loves to highlight fellow organizations working toward a greener world. Today, our resident “reuse expert” Executive Director of Reuse Alliance, MaryEllen Etienne, shares her zero-waste tips for this holiday season.
If your trash can is already feeling fuller than usual, you’re not alone; according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, our household waste increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day – this translates into an additional 1 million tons each year. That is a tremendous amount of trash in the name of good tidings. To combat this, we have provided a few tips that will help you towards having a zero waste holiday.
1. Rethink your Gifting
“In terms of holiday giving, I recommend that you give gifts that have a lasting impression, help reduce waste, and ideally support local businesses. I personally love to receive “experience” gifts (massages, concert tickets, tea for two). But what about for people who are more into “things”? You can give homemade gifts in reusable containers, pre-loved and upcycled goodies or even regift something you no longer love.”
Homemade: Who doesn’t love fresh baked cookies, cakes, and candies in a reusable tin? And homemade crafts and home décor are easy and fun to give, too. Your loved ones with certainly appreciate the time and effort you put into these special gifts.
Pre-Loved: Gently used items at thrift stores are great ways to give a zero-waste gift. You can find amazing items at your local thrift, like Goodwill, or consignment shops, antique shop or reseller/swap site. Whether it’s an antique jewelry box, a vintage chess set, or some funky art pottery – it will be cherished.
2. Green your Gift Wrap
“When it comes to wrapping your good tiding this year, be resourceful.”
Reusable Wrap: If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend reusable cloth gift bag sets. While the method generally uses a specific type of cloth, I don’t see why you can’t go to your local creative reuse center and find some colorful scrap fabric. You can also consider reusable containers such as baskets, wood boxes, cookie tins, decorative jars – and reuse them yearly.
DIY Wrap: You can decorate scrap paper, paper grocery bags, or left-over tissue paper with ink or poster paint using cookie-cutters or rubber stamps.
3. Eco-Friendly Holiday Parties
“Whether you’re hosting or attending a holiday party this year, there are simple ideas to eliminate waste.”
Invitations: You can email your invitations by using an online system like Evite, or just phone your guests instead of mailing invitations.
Serviceware: Avoid disposables at all costs. If you’re throwing this year’s party and you need extra serving dishes, glasses, or linens, consider borrowing them from friends (the sharing economy is becoming more prevalent around the country). You can also rent reusable plates, cups and cutlery from a party company for just pennies a guest.
4. Planet-Friendly Holiday Décor
“Home décor is one of the biggest places to reduce your environmental impact.”
Trees: Rather than having a paper or plastic debate (i.e. cut real trees vs. fake trees), why not go natural and reusable? I recommend buying a small pine tree and transplanting it into your garden next spring, or using a potted topiary that can be stored on your patio when not on holiday duty.
Lights: If you’re going to put up outdoor lights make sure you use LED Christmas Lights, which are up to 90 percent more efficient than their incandescent counterpart. Remember to put your lights on a timer, don’t let them burn all night, and recycle old lights.
During the hustle and bustle of the season, you can save time and money, and the planet by embracing these fun and easy zero waste tips.
Happy Holidays!
MaryEllen Etienne
You can follow MaryEllen Etienne at www.twitter.com/reusealliance
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Filed under: Career Services, General, Success Stories | Tags: Business, Canada, Career, Employment, Goodwill Industries, Job, Reidsville Community Resource Center, Retailing, Rockingham Community College, success, Triad Goodwill, Unemployment, United States, Work
Each week, Triad Goodwill will highlight someone who has achieved employment success, thanks to Goodwill.
Read Darrell Womble’s Success Story below…
One day while leaving the Goodwill retail store in Reidsville, something told me to check out the Goodwill Reidsville Community Resource Center building next door just to see what they had to offer. Upon entering the Center, Ms. Dot Dunlap greeted me and explained the job training services to me. I listened, then told her I was currently employed and left. Who knew in two months, I would be unemployed. So while I was trying to decide my next move, I remembered the Center. This time when I came into the Center, I told Ms. Dot I was unemployed. Her reply was “don’t worry, I’ve been there before and it’s going to be OK.”
She told me about the classes that were offered and some classes also offered at Rockingham Community College, a Goodwill partner. One of the classes offered, called Employability Skills class, caught my attention because I could learn to create a new resume as well as gain interviewing tips – so I signed up. Well I took the class, then sent my resume to a couple of employers and waited. While I waited, I continued to search for jobs in the Center’s Network Room where I could access the Internet and print and fax for free.
Then one day while searching www.TriadGoodwill.org, I saw that the Center was looking to hire a Community Resource Coordinator. I applied and was lucky enough to secure the job.
Now in my first three months as Coordinator at the Reidsville Community Resource Center as well as the new Center recently opened in Eden, this job has been as rewarding and fulfilling as I knew it would be. I enjoy meeting people and serving my community by offering valuable resources that I know will help them, because they helped me.
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Filed under: Career Services, General, Success Stories | Tags: Business, Canada, Career, Charlotte, Charlotte North Carolina, Employment, Goodwill Industries, Greensboro, Job, Triad, Triad Goodwill, United States
Each week, Triad Goodwill will highlight someone who has achieved employment success, thanks to Goodwill.
Read Aaron Christopher’s Success Story below…
During a visit to the Goodwill retail store on North Elm street, Aaron discovered the Career Center. Engaged, he wanted to find a job in Charlotte closer to his fiancée. Since he didn’t own a home computer, he utilized the Career Center to search for jobs online. With center coordinator Heather Schneck’s help, he was able to get his résumé reviewed and uploaded to Internet job sites.
Within a week, Aaron was in Charlotte for three job interviews and was offered a job immediately in his field of automotive technology. He’s now starting his life in Charlotte – and Aaron is still getting calls for job interviews!
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Filed under: Career Services, General, Success Stories | Tags: Business, Canada, Disability, Employment, Goodwill Industries, Jim Gibbons, Triad Goodwill, United States
Each week, Triad Goodwill will highlight someone who has achieved employment success, thanks to Goodwill.
Read Nardya Morton’s story below… 
After many years of struggles and disappointments, Nardya was referred to Goodwill
by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Nardya “wanted her life back, whatever that involved,” but she needed help. She began to assemble a group she affectionately calls her “Dream Team” – including her work adjustment coordinator, instructors and job coach – who helped her regain her footing. “I was placed with people who wanted to see the best in others,” says Nardya.
She learned interviewing skills, resume writing and ultimately landed two jobs in three hours! Nardya continues to learn, and with help from her current employer, is able to work part-time while continuing to take classes at the Greensboro Community Resource Center. Her long-term goal is to complete her bachelor’s degree and have a career in counseling. In the meantime, she’s proud to tell everyone about her latest achievement – she’s Employee of the Month after only three months at her current job!
