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Horizon Goodwill Industries

Craig Foster

Our First Cut and Cloth Event

Making A Difference in Lives

On July 21st, Horizon Goodwill Industries held its first Cut & Cloth event in partnership with Award Beauty School located on Antietam Street in Hagerstown MD. Community members who stopped by to participate were greeted with an offering of pizza and water.

25 people left with a fresh haircut and a few articles of clean clothing. We were also able to sign 15 people up for employment services and a few others for housing navigation. Horizon Goodwill looks forward to holding this event quarterly and continuing to collaborate with community partners to serve Washington County.

This event brings the following quote to mind: “𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑.” – Georges St-Pierre

 

An example of the transformation Another example of the transformation What a difference it made The Award Beauty School Team at the Cut and Cloth Event The HGI Team at the Cut and Cloth event The first Cut and Cloth Event

 

Horizon Goodwill Adds Stores in Mount Jackson and Stanley Virginia

(Hagerstown, Maryland, May 2021) Horizon Goodwill Industries has recently opened two new stores in Page and Shenandoah Counties in Virginia. The addition of these two stores increases the organization’s footprint to 18 retail locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Two New Stores

The nonprofit agency hopes to offer the residents of both towns not only a place to find quality donated goods at great prices but also an additional destination to donate apparel and household goods that have outgrown their homes. Every investment in Goodwill helps fund free job training, education, and support services to people facing barriers to employment.

“Horizon Goodwill Industries is proud to be adding both of these retail stores and donation centers in Virginia,” said Chris Glasse, Director of Retail Operations. “We hope to have a positive effect on the local economy with our new store locations and the jobs they provide taking the place of stores that had previously closed, leaving a hole in the fabric of the community,” he added.

Horizon Goodwill’s CEO, Dr. David Shuster, echoes Chris’ comments. “The Goodwill store model is one of our primary means of creating job opportunities and revenue for our other mission and outreach programs. Our focus is all about getting people to work and helping them overcome whatever barriers they might be experiencing to obtaining employment. Some of those barriers are critical needs like transportation, housing, food access, even child care, as well as more traditional things like  education, certifications, resume writing, and interview skills.” He also added “The stores are the gateway to accomplishing our mission of removing barriers to social mobility. I believe that the Mt. Jackson and Stanley areas can help us help the community as a whole. We look forward to being a collaborative economic and workforce development partner within these communities.”

The Mount Jackson store is located at 5312 Main Street while the Stanley store can be found at 558 West Main Street. Each location accepts donations of gently used items during store hours.

May 2 – 8 Proclaimed Goodwill Week

April 28, 2021, by Craig Foster
April 27th, Horizon Goodwill CEO, Dave Shuster was on hand at the City of Hagerstown Mayor and City Council for the proclamation of May 2 – 8 as Goodwill Industries Week.
goodwill week 2021
Accepting the proclamation from Mayor Emily Keller is David Shuster, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Goodwill Industries.

During the meeting, Mayor Emily Keller presented the proclamation and stated; “The people of Hagerstown, Maryland, value hard work and support the right of individuals to provide for themselves and their families. Some members of our community require additional education, job preparation, skills training, and support services to aid them in reaching the goal of self-sufficiency. Among those most in need of opportunity include people with disabilities or disadvantages, people who need education or job experience, people with limited financial meetings, people who are reintegrating back into society, older workers, veterans, and military families, youth, and young adults. Horizon Goodwill Industries® has a rich history of providing these services since 1902.”

Horizon Goodwill Names 2021 Officers and Addition of Two New Board Members 

Horizon Goodwill Names 2021 Officers and Addition of Two New Board Members 

April 21, 2021, by Craig Foster 

Horizon Goodwill Industries announces that their 2021-2022 Board Officers are Ron Bowers, Chairman; Dustin Watson, Vice-Chair; Bonnie Winders, Secretary; and Michael Zampelli, Treasurer. Also, two new members have joined the Board of Directors, Marion Mitchell, and Sarah Barnes.   

Marion Mitchell is a native of Hartford, Connecticut. She is a graduaBoard of Directorste of California University in Pennsylvania, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Now retired, in her professional career, she has accrued over 30 years of experience in teaching and childcare management. She has served on various committees and currently services on the Deaconess Board at Zion Baptist Church. Marion has been married to her husband for 47 years. They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.  

“One of my favorite quotes is ‘Recognize that every interaction you have is an opportunity to make a positive impact on others by Shep Hyken’. I truly believe this and look forward to interacting with many people within and outside of Horizon Goodwill to make that positive impact.” Marion stated.  

A native to the tri-state area, Sarah Barnes joins the Horizon Goodwill Industries Board of Directors with over 15 years of financial and business management experience. She is a graduate of the American Bankers Association and the School of Bank Marketing and Management.  

Ms. Barnes is currently employed as a Branch Manager of United Bank in Washington County, MD and she has owned the Razor’s Edge barber shop in Hagerstown, MD for the past 8 years. Ms. Barnes is an Executive Board Member for Habitat for Humanity in Washington County, MD, and is actively involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, MD. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two children, traveling, gardening, and cooking. 

“I am eager to be part of the Horizon Goodwill Industries Board of Directors. Together we will focus on removing barriers and creating opportunities in the communities we serve.” Ms. Barnes stated.   

Ron Bowers, new Board Chairman said “a warm welcome to our talented and enthusiastic new board members, Marion Mitchell and Sarah Barnes.” He also added, “I look forward to challenging the board and staff to craft a vision that continues to strengthen our organization’s ability to ‘remove barriers and create opportunities’ while ensuring financial stability for the many programs helping people in the four-state region.” 

Horizon Goodwill’s CEO, Dr. David Shuster, is also enthused about the additions to the Board of Directors. “I am excited to have Marion and Sarah join Horizon Goodwill Industries. The breadth and diversity of their experiences bring additional talent to our Board that will help inform our community, economic, and workforce development activities across the region. I look forward to working with them and our entire Board of Directors as we look to create brighter futures for the communities we serve.” 

Horizon Goodwill Industries would like to thank departing Board member Mary Ann Keyser for her six years of service, most recently as Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance and Compliance Committee.  

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About Horizon Goodwill: Horizon Goodwill Industries, whose mission is “Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunities,” is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to ensuring that all people have access to sustaining and meaningful employment. Ninety cents of every dollar earned by Horizon Goodwill is invested in putting people to work and strengthening communities across a 17-county region throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, please visit https://www.horizongoodwill.org.   

Marvin’s story is not just one of success but of inspiration.

Marvin DotsonBy Jessica Martz, Vocational Case Manager, and Troy Brant, Workforce Development Coordinator

Marvin began his journey with Horizon Goodwill in May of 2018. After successfully completing our GET ONBOARD! job-readiness program, Marvin was offered a paid training position at the Hagerstown Processing Center.

He struggled off and on to overcome addiction and finally left the program and the Hagerstown area to pursue a new way of living “a fresh start” as he refers to it.

Marvin’s drive and perseverance brought him back to us in January 2020.  After overcoming addiction and “making peace with his past” Marvin was ready to continue his job readiness training and seek gainful employment.  He reached out to Goodwill’s Workforce Development Team in Cumberland, MD where he relocated to a sober living facility. Marvin’s previous experience with Goodwill left him with a feeling of acceptance and understanding. “I was always treated as an equal.”

Troy Brant, the Work Force Development Coordinator met with Marvin and immediately supported his return to the program.  After meeting with a vocational case manager for assessment, a job development plan was created, and Marvin was offered a paid training position in the Cumberland Processing Center.

Over the next month, Marvin excelled at reaching his job skill milestones including attendance, competitive work pace, and motivation all while attending GED courses, weekly case management meetings, and daily recovery meetings! He left sober living and secured his own personal housing.  When a paid training opportunity became available at the LaVale Goodwill Store, Marvin’s hard work and determination made him a top candidate for the position.

During a recent case management meeting, Marvin was asked to provide feedback on his experience with Goodwill’s Job Readiness Program. He expressed that “working at goodwill showed me that there are people out there that care, people that are here for you” and “ Now I look forward to coming to work.”

Today Marvin is continuing his education with GED classes and attending his recovery and case management meetings while finishing his paid training at the Goodwill Store.  Dwayne Olden, the Store Manager has offered him a permanent position on his team stating that “Marvin is a team player and goes above and beyond to keep himself busy.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horizon Goodwill Hires Marketing and Development Managers

Goodwill Industries recently named Craig Foster as the new Marketing & Public Relations Manager and Audi Lebedda as the Development Manager.

Marketing and Development New Hire
Audi Lebedda and Craig Foster

Foster has over 25 years’ experience in marketing and communications. In his new role, Craig will lead the marketing, public relations, and communication efforts to heighten community awareness of Goodwill’s mission and social enterprise segments. Craig graduated with an MBA from the University of Phoenix and has worked as a marketing manager in various organizations across the tri-state area.

“I’m excited to be part of an organization that provides the training and support to help individuals become self-reliant and productive members of the communities we serve”. he added “My background in marketing enables me to provide leadership and guidance with new initiatives but also strengthen the core services that Horizon Goodwill offers.

As the Development Manager, Lebedda will be responsible for the organization and execution of Horizon Goodwill Industries’ fundraising initiatives including annual giving, special events, and grant writing. Lebedda graduated from Frostburg State University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies- concentrating in Public Relations & Rhetorical Studies. Audi previously worked for the State of Maryland as a Circuit Rider assisting and supporting small municipalities in direct efforts in rural municipal administration and related community/economic development services.

“I am truly looking forward to being a part of an organization that provides so many individuals opportunities to learn and grow each and every day!” Audi said. “Horizon Goodwill succeeds because of the opportunities they give individuals for our community, never losing sight of the people they serve,” she added.

Horizon Goodwill’s CEO, David Shuster, Ed.D., is enthused about the additions to the organization.

“Both Craig and Audi are talented individuals that bring a great deal of experience to Horizon Goodwill and I know their insights will aid in our continued growth and expansion of our mission,” Shuster said.

By coincidence, Audi and Craig both currently live in West Virginia and will work at the Hagerstown main office in Hagerstown, MD.

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