Partnership creates pathway to life-changing career opportunities

October 7, 2022

Partnership creates pathway to life-changing career opportunities

Innovative pilot program provides job opportunities at Meritus Health

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – For people trying to change their quality of life, sometimes a pathway needs to be found. Meritus Health, Horizon Goodwill Industries, and Maryland Physicians Care have created that pathway to connect people with opportunities.

A team consisting of members representing Meritus Health, Horizon Goodwill Industries, and Maryland Physicians Care have crafted an innovative pilot program, Pathway to Healthcare, to path low/moderate income candidates directly into living wage positions in one of five identified divisions at Meritus. “We are honored to play a connecting role in this program to help support county residents and businesses,” said David Shuster, Ed.D., president and CEO of Horizon Goodwill Industries. “Through this program, we are able to directly improve the lives of the participants and strengthen the health system that serves the community. We see this as a very valuable initiative and are thrilled to be the lead sponsor,” said Jason Rottman, CEO of Maryland Physicians Care.

The concept is simple: Employment is offered in one of the numerous areas at Meritus Health. Maryland Physicians Care provides the administrative staff for program design and deployment. Training and development are provided by Horizon Goodwill Industries through the ‘Get Onboard!’ soft skills academy. Additionally, Maryland Physicians Care will cover program costs, including the candidates’ pre-employment training expenses, uniforms, and a potential bonus upon completion of the probationary period. “In fulfillment of our mission, Maryland Physicians Care is looking at factors beyond clinical care that affect our member’s health outcomes, and improving income stability is foundational to ensuring individuals have the resources and means to live healthy lives,” said Lorena de Leon, D.P.A., Sr. Director of Population Health, Maryland Physicians Care.

Once employment is underway, a probationary period begins. After six months of employment, Meritus Health reviews the employee’s performance and will offer support in furthering education and training in healthcare-specific roles. “Our health system and many industries need good, committed, and loyal workers. We are looking to the strengths that already exist within our own community and connecting them with the skills and training to develop them,” said Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., president and CEO of Meritus Health.

“In the current labor market, it is vital that we have community partners who are willing to take bold new approaches to recruit and retain employees. Creating training pathways that lead to living-wage employment opportunities for “hidden workers” is a win-win,” said Brooke Grossman, Horizon Goodwill Industries, chief mission officer.

The pilot has already taken off.

Hires have already been made following a job fair in September at Horizon Goodwill’s Human Services Building on North Prospect Street in downtown Hagerstown.

“This is just the beginning. Joshi said. “It’s not just a pathway to a job, this partnership provides an opportunity for a better life. And as the employer, it’s a great way to have a workforce representing our local community.”

Filed Under: News

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About Horizon Goodwill: Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is a future-focused nonprofit workforce development organization headquartered in Hagerstown, MD with responsibility for serving communities in 17 counties across MD, PA, WV, and VA. Operating numerous social enterprises and human services programs, HGI helps thousands of individuals each year pursue economic mobility through its mission of removing barriers and creating opportunities for meaningful and sustainable employment. Through this work, Goodwill is committed to advancing equitable opportunities for employment and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Learn more at www.horizongoodwill.org. For media inquiries, contact Craig Foster, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at 301-733-7330 x1630 or cfoster@goodwill-hgi.org

Meritus Health Donation to Horizon Goodwill Industries

September 20, 2022

Meritus Medical Center Donates Equipment to Horizon Goodwill Industries

(Hagerstown, Maryland, August 2022) Meritus Medical Center recently donated various floor cleaning equipment to Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) Business Services division. HGI is very grateful for the donation which will enable the various cleaning crews to be more efficient and perform more work across many of our contracts.

The Business Services division of HGI has been providing creative business solutions for private industry as well as local, state, and federal governments for more than 65 years. The Commercial Cleaning Solutions group employs over 120 people, cleaning over 1.9 million square feet of contracted building space daily. Our contracts include Federal, State, and private sector locations, some of which require security clearances. HGI is currently responsible for cleaning over 100 buildings at Fort Detrick, MD, including the base hospital, Child Development Center, Youth/Teen Center, and many offices.

Brandon Marks, Director of Business Services, said, “We are so grateful for the generosity displayed by Meritus. The addition of this equipment to our division will provide job training opportunities and upskilling for our teams. By learning the specialized skill of floor maintenance, our custodians will be able to earn higher wages and increase theIr quality of life.” Added Chris Austin, Environmental Services Manager for Meritus Health, “At Meritus Health, we are always looking for ways to partner with other local organizations that work to better the lives of others. It’s not just about the equipment, but the bigger picture is that the donations will impact the workers at Horizon Goodwill. It’s the people that matter to us.”

Filed Under: News

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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. For media inquiries, contact Craig Foster, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at 301-733-7330 x1630 or cfoster@goodwill-hgi.org

Horizon Goodwill & Meritus Health Obtain Grant for Downtown Hagerstown ‘Health Hub’

February 23, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hagerstown, Maryland, February 2022) Horizon Goodwill Industries in partnership with Meritus Medical Center are among nine grantees selected to receive funds from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission’s “Pathways to Health Equity” program.

The $925,000 two-year grant allows for opening a primary care office at Horizon Goodwill Industries’ downtown Hagerstown location at 200 N. Prospect Street. Meritus Medical Center will provide a full-time nurse practitioner to staff the site and mental health case management staff will be provided by Horizon Goodwill. Patients will not be turned away based upon insurance status; they will be seen and then connected to a health care navigator from AHEC West to assist them in becoming insured. This project will be known as the Hagerstown Health HUB and co-located with the full-service grocery store HGI is opening.

“Access to care is essential to the quality of care. We are proud to partner with Horizon Goodwill to improve access to care for many of our neighbors, helping to reduce disparities in care.” said Doug Spotts, Chief Health Officer, Meritus Health.

This facility will be able to help address many of the existing healthcare issues facing residents of the Hagerstown core. Recent surveys show that 10.4% of city residents in the 21740 zip code do not have health insurance and are turned away from traditional healthcare facilities. Existing data also highlights that there were about 1100 visitors to the Emergency Department at Meritus and users of that facility responded that it was “extremely difficult” for them to have their needs met.

David Shuster, President, and CEO of Horizon Goodwill explained that “Receipt of this funding from the MD CHRC supports another positive step forward on the journey to restore access to critical services for City residents by bringing the services closer to the people who need them most. We, along with Meritus Health and AHEC West, recognize the importance of addressing these issues in order to help foster a healthier, vibrant, and thriving community.”

Ron Bowers, HGI Board Chairman added “The inclusion of this type of service in the upcoming grocery still will provide a one-stop visit for food, sundries, and health care services.” He highlights that “The continued determination of the HGI Board of Directors was integral to the addition of this service for the community”.

AHEC Executive Director, Susan Stewart stated “AHEC West understands how important this health hub will be for the residents of Hagerstown and are quite excited to be a part of it by providing English and Spanish language health insurance navigator services.”

“This project is further investment from Horizon Goodwill to provide equitable access to vital resources to residents of the Core of Hagerstown. Rapid assess to primary care coupled with health care navigation, nutritional education, care coordination, and case management creates a one-stop environment to empower City residents to take control of their health,” stated Chief Mission Officer Brooke Grossman

The Hagerstown Health Hub will be located adjacent to the previously announced grocery store at the Horizon Goodwill Industries building in downtown Hagerstown. It will be in a separate location within the same building. Construction on the full project is anticipated to begin in later summer 2022.

Filed Under: News

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Horizon Goodwill Industries Receives $50,000 Grant from Truist Foundation to Establish Full-Service Grocery Store In Food Desert

January 25, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hagerstown, Maryland, Jan. 25, 2022) Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) today announced it received a $50,000 grant from Truist Foundation to help create a full-service grocery store in the Hagerstown Core.

HGI will operate the grocery store at its downtown facility on Prospect Street. This unique venture will offer fresh food and household staples to the entire downtown area of Hagerstown, which the USDA has defined as a “food desert.”

Ron Bowers, HGI board chairman, said, “This type of initiative will help the people living and working in the center of Hagerstown, and hopefully, the investment will potentially be the spark to set in motion a considerable economic development comeback for the downtown area.”

This project was sparked by a conversation between the leadership of HGI, Meritus Health, and the Washington County Community Action Council around the Healthy Washington County Go For Bold initiative that launched in early 2020. That conversation centered on the challenges faced by many downtown residents with obtaining healthy food items and the resulting negative impact on the community’s health. Households within this area do not have easy access to a traditional grocery store. They must often rely on public transportation or walk great distances to reach conventional grocery stores. While convenience stores and fast-food restaurants are within easy reach, prices and selections are not health-oriented or affordable for many families.

“Through its new Hagerstown store, Horizon Goodwill Industries will provide the neighborhood access to healthier options, as well as employment and enrichment opportunities for members of the community,” said Robert Tuggle, western Maryland market president for Truist speaking on behalf of the Truist Foundation. “This grant is another way we inspire and build better lives and communities by helping deliver critical services to individuals and families across Maryland.”

HGI President & CEO Dr. David Shuster stated, “We appreciate the Truist Foundation for providing their support to this initiative. Equitable access to healthy food is an essential element for members of any community to enjoy healthy, safe, and productive lives. In addition to helping alleviate the food desert condition, the opening of a downtown grocery store will create new jobs and allows us to introduce job training opportunities in grocery retail, creating new career pathways and supporting other employers in this sector.”

The store will be located at 200 North Prospect Street in a portion of the HGI Mission Services building. Individuals who may benefit from HGI workforce development services will be able to access case managers to support ongoing challenges with employment, job skills, family concerns, and other social issues.

Brooke Grossman, chief mission officer of HGI, adds, “The Truist Foundation’s commitment to creating equal opportunities for everyone to thrive is a perfect fit for this project. We are looking forward to the opportunity to provide a vital resource to the core of Hagerstown.”

Construction and remodeling of a portion of the Prospect Street building will begin in early 2022 with a projected opening later in the year.

Filed Under: News

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About Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

Horizon Goodwill & Meritus Health Obtain Grant for Downtown Hagerstown Grocery Initiative

December 21, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Hagerstown, Maryland, December 2021) Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) in partnership with Meritus Health proudly announces $435,000 in funding has been awarded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) SEED fund.

“We are constantly looking for opportunities to partner with other organizations and our community to address the needs of our neighbors,” explained Josh Repac, Vice President of Revenue Cycle and Clinical Support Services, Meritus Health.

Submitted by Meritus Health on behalf of HGI, the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund will aid in the creation of a full-service grocery store in the Hagerstown Core. This store will be operated by Horizon Goodwill Industries at their downtown facility on Prospect Street. The venture will provide fresh food and household staples to the entire downtown area of Hagerstown which has been defined by the USDA as a “food desert.”

“When community members don’t have access to the resources they need, including fresh produce, their health suffers. This grant allows us to partner with a strong community organization to support the need,” Repac explained.

Ron Bowers, HGI Board Chairman, said “The inclusion of this type of initiative will not only help the people living in the center of Hagerstown but the investment can potentially be the spark to launch a great economic development comeback for the downtown area.” He highlights that “The support and determination of the HGI Board of Directors was a tremendous inspiration to everyone involved”.

This project was sparked by a conversation between the leadership of HGI, Meritus Health, and the Washington County Community Action Council around the Healthy Washington County Go For Bold initiative that launched in early 2020. That conversation centered on the challenges faced by many downtown residents with obtaining healthy food items and the resulting negative impact on the health of the community. Households within this area do not have easy access to a traditional grocery store and must often rely on public transportation or walk great distances to reach conventional grocery stores. While convenience stores and fast-food restaurants are within easy reach, prices and selections are not health-oriented or affordable for many families.

HGI President & CEO, Dr. David Shuster stated, “Given our experience in retail operations and passion for working together to address community challenges, it felt appropriate for HGI to take the lead in bringing this project to life. In addition to helping alleviate th

e food desert condition, the opening of a downtown grocery store will lead to additional jobs, and allows us to introduce job training opportunities in grocery retail, creating new career pathways and supporting other employers in this sector.”

The store will be located at 200 North Prospect Street in a portion of the HGI Mission Services building. Individuals who may benefit from HGI workforce development services will be able to access case managers that can provide support for ongoing issues with employment, job skills, family concerns, and other social issues.

Brooke Grossman, Chief Mission Officer of HGI, adds that “Access to affordable fresh food is vital to the health of our City. I am proud that we are part of a solution-focused collaboration to address the needs of our community”

“Our hope is to continue to build on this partnership, and to continue to address and support the needs of all who live in the communities we serve,” Repac said.

Construction and remodeling of a portion of the Prospect Street building will begin in early 2022 with a projected opening later in the year.

Filed Under: News

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