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: General | Tags: Community Resource Center, Donations, Job Training
This past weekend was the 70th birthday of the late singer/songwriter John Lennon. Lennon became a household name as a member of The Beatles, and later in life as a solo artist. VH1 had a great “Behind the Music” segment about Lennon and his career, family life and legacy.
If you’ve ever been to Central Park in New York City, the area of the park across the street from Lennon’s former home, The Dakota, there is a spot dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. With a simple marker stating “Imagine” this area known as Strawberry Fields, is a reminder of one of Lennon’s more well-known songs, “Imagine”.
Part of the lyrics read:
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
Now, I’m not advocating for people to get rid of all their possessions. What I am guilty of is keeping things that I no longer need or even want for that matter. Maybe it’s the fear of getting rid of that jacket only to wish I had it the next day. Maybe it’s the guilt of spending money on something, only to end up not even using it. For others it is a feeling of obligation – if she gave me this, then I have to want it. Fear, guilt and obligation can show-up in my life, but I definitely don’t want it to be the reason my closet doesn’t close or I have stuff collecting dust.
Goodwill Industries thrives because of the donations that are delivered to our doors every day. Since items are re-sold in our stores, everything gets a second chance. In turn, your donations and purchases, enable someone get a second chance – at life, happiness, and self-sufficiency through gainful employment. Every day our Community Resource Centers in Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties had people walk through their doors searching for job training assistance. They aren’t looking for a hand out, they are looking for someone to provide a hand-up.
In 1963, Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina was established to serve residents of the Triad area. In 1971, Lennon sang of an idyllic society, where help was given when it was needed. As Triad Goodwill approaches its 50th anniversary of service to the community, we continue to promote the message of giving.
Give what you can, whether small or large, your donations do make a difference!
Filed under: Retail and Donations | Tags: Donations, Job Training, Mission
I’ve gotten lazy since I moved to Greensboro. On the few mornings that I wake up with ice on my windshield, I don’t actually scrape it, I crank up the defroster and the volume on NPR. I was doing just that this morning while I listened to some altruism experts (yes, that’s a real thing) debating the value of charitable giving.
If you receive recognition, get a tax benefit or make a business deal as a result of your good deed, is it really a good deed? This issue isn’t limited to the altruism experts — I’ve heard the debate at middle school lunch tables, on TV shows like Friends and around the Christmas tree. If you get to borrow my car because you scraped the windshield, do I still love you for saving me from the morning chill? Yes. It’s good for me, it’s good for you. Scrape away.
People in the community need your help. Goodwill helps people develop the skills they need to find and keep and good jobs. When you donate clothes to Goodwill, you help someone find a job. You also get a tax break. So what? Without your donation, Goodwill couldn’t provide career development services to more than 8,000 people every year.
If you want to hear what the real experts have to say, listen to the story on NPR.
Selfish Giving: Does it count if you get in return?
Last year Goodwill launched a new community program targeted at providing ex-offenders with skills training, job search assistance and other services. On Tuesday, December 8 the Jobs on the Outside (JOTO) program celebrated their one year anniversary by hosting an open house.
During the open house Charles Hinsley, JOTO program manager, shared some of highlights from the year. While the fact that the program has served over 750 participants in the past year is impressive, one of the greatest accomplishments is that JOTO has assisted 57 participants in receiving employment.
A few of those program participants were on hand to share their stories with the crowd. One participant talked about his transition from receiving employment to then starting his own business. An audience member spoke about how JOTO had instilled a new sense of self confidence in her sister, a program participant. There was even a man who asked to share a poem he had written discussing his journey of self discovery after taking the JOTO Career Development class.
The staff at the JOTO office put together an event that was not only moving but also showcased some of the work Goodwill continues to do for the community everyday. If you’re interested in finding out more about Goodwill’s JOTO program you can visit our website.
Filed under: Career Services | Tags: Employers, Hiring, Job Placements, Job Training, Mission
Today, Goodwill job coaches hosted a very important group of people: community employers. Representatives from staffing agencies, school systems, retailers and care giving services attended a breakfast to learn more about Goodwill’s career development services and the job candidates we train.
Our Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) helps individuals with emotional, mental and physical disabilities accomplish vocational and personal goals. Goodwill helps individuals set goals and create a plan to meet those goals. That plan might include computer training, customer service training, food service training, cash register training or forklift training. After individuals complete the necessary training, they transition into work adjustment training, either at Goodwill or another community employer. Job coaches emphasize the importance of punctuality, responsibility, efficiency, open communication and fulfilling expectations. Once participants have grasped these important values, they are ready so seek permanent employment.
That’s where community employers come in. Companies build a qualified, committed workforce when they hire individuals who have trained at Goodwill. In addition, companies give individuals the opportunity to lead independent, productive lives. If you want to learn more about this program, please contact our corporate office and ask to speak with a job coach.
Filed under: Career Services | Tags: Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Job Training, Motivation
The Job Preparedness Class teaches resume writing, interviewing and other career skills. Every Tuesday, the class hears from a guest speaker from the community. This week, students heard from Wendy Poteat, Triad InternNet coordinator at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.
Wendy Poteat motivated the Job Preparedness Class on Tuesday.
Wendy talked to the class about the challenges she faced entering the workforce. She had to overcome personal and financial obstacles to become a business professional with a college degree. Her hard work changed her own life and her whole family’s life — her oldest son will attend college on a full scholarship next year.
Wendy told the class that sometimes you have to take small steps to accomplish a large goal. Sometimes the ultimate goal can seem far away, but each step toward it counts. She advised the class to stay focused, make positive decisions, connect with other professionals and take advantages of all the available resources.
Wendy encouraged the class, “Something like a Job Preparedness Class — five days of intensive job training — is a big step. Don’t stop here.”
Filed under: Career Services | Tags: Ex-Offenders, Graduation, Job Training, JOTO
JOTO graduate with his certificate and planner.
Jobs on the Outside (JOTO) launched in December of 2008 to offer career services to ex-offenders. JOTO offers a half-day, two-week career readiness class. The class teaches communication skills, team work, interviewing techniques, self-motivation and self-confidence, among other things.
Today, 15 people graduated from the class. The graduates celebrated the changes and achievements they had made over the last two weeks. They will continue to take advantage of JOTO support services (computer lab, counseling, etc.) as they re-enter the workforce. A few graduates already had interviews lined up and one had even accepted a job offer.
Duane Reid, a pharmaceutical representative and involved community member, volunteered to speak to the class about how to face the challenges that lie ahead. He advised them that even though one mistake can change your life forever, one positive decision can change your life even more. The graduates walked away feeling ready to tackle the world.
