Horizon good will is participating in this year’s Washington County Gives program. It all starts with you!
Parterning with Kaplan
We are happy to partner with Kaplan this Thursday, April 20, from 1-4pm at the Kaplan Hagerstown campus ON CRESTWOOD DRIVE for the “Stuff the Truck” campaign for our Earth Day celebration. So join us by cleaning out those closets and recycling instead of throwing away all those used items. Who wouldn’t want to help people get the job training they need by donating? Goodwill uses $.90 of every dollar towards job training.
I’m Glad You Asked! – “Grit”
What is grit? I’m glad you asked! According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, grit in the context of behavior is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” Who do you think of when you hear the word? Trying saying it out loud – I’ll wait……..did you do it? Who came to mind? For me, it’s Eric Fugate.
Eric came to Goodwill in 2015, and enrolled in paid work training in 2016. He moved to Cumberland from Baltimore with all intentions of straightening up and putting his life back together. He came to Western Maryland with nothing but a book bag filled with all the belongings he owned. Eric entered the program with high expectations and has achieved almost everything he set his mind to, working hard to overcome those behaviors that had put his life on hold.
Eric had no job and had spent time in jail, struggled with addiction, and lost his driver’s license. Eric’s confidence has improved and he is seeking employment. He now has his own apartment and is once again a licensed driver. Eric even reconnected with his son again. He has been off probation and is no longer using the methadone clinic.
Addressing his barriers to employment, Eric is attending the G.E.D. classes offered at Goodwill’s Career Readiness Campus to obtain his diploma. And, he is using Goodwill’s Legal Expungement & Assistance Program, or LEAP, to remove eligible activity from his criminal record.
Last fall, I spent time with Eric a few weeks after my father passed away. I learned he had lost his father very recently as well. We sat quietly for awhile. Sharing a few things about ourselves before we moved on to the rest of our day. What had I just seen in Eric – what was that? It was grit – a vulnerability and a determination woven together creating a quiet momentum forward.
It was and still is inspiring to be around him or to hear people talk about Eric’s progress, achievements, and future. When asked how he does it, how he overcomes, Eric said, “I couldn’t have improved myself without the services and support Goodwill has given me.” But, Goodwill doesn’t give you grit – Goodwill helps you find it inside yourself.
Teddy Roosevelt, a “Grand Sire of Grit”, spoke about the importance of overcoming fear and managing vulnerability in 1907. He stated: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strived valiantly; who errs, who comes again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”
To learn more visit www.horizongoodwill.org and as always like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter #puttingpeopletowork
Immediate need for PT/Seasonal Custodians and Custodial Crew leaders!!!!
Immediate need for PT/Seasonal Custodians and Custodial Crew leaders!!!!
Both positions require:
- HS diploma or equivalent preferred
- At least one-year prior custodial experience required.
- Must have valid driver’s license and ability to get to the job site and to other sites as needed.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with assistance over 50 lbs., and always using lifting belt correctly.
Custodian:
The Custodian will perform on-site custodial work as outlined in contract specifications.
- Clean assigned indoor and outdoor work areas including, but not limited to: trash removal, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping/dust mopping, wet mopping, and disinfectant cleaning of restrooms.
Custodial Crew Leader:
The Custodial Lead Worker/Crew Leader will lead assigned custodial staff to ensure that work is completed to contract specifications within quality assurance guidelines.
- The position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work in inclement weather.
- Knowledge and understanding of and ability to train staff in proper chemical usage and techniques of restroom cleaning and disinfection, trash removal, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, carpet cleaning, stripping, waxing, window washing.
- Basic computer literacy with experience in word processing, email, and web applications.
Millions of workers will qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit for the first time this year
Millions of workers will qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit for the first time this year. Are you one of them? Every year, Goodwill helps thousands claim the tax credits they earned through free tax preparation services.
Business Services Employee Spotlight- Diana Redmond!
Welcome back! If you have ever driven to the Western edge of Maryland and stopped at the Youghiogheny Rest Area and Overlook, you know what a visual gem it is.
When you enter the Welcome Center, you will find an abundance of interesting information and you will likely get a chance to be greeted by the smiling face that is the inspiration for this week’s blog entry, Diana Redmond!
Like many of the staff that are working on Goodwill contracts, Diana has a story to tell about how she has benefited from our services. Mobility became an issue for Diana after a car crash, but not in the way that you might assume. Rather than needing to spend long periods of time resting, for Diana it was just the opposite. The nature of her injuries made it so that remaining stationary (sitting or standing) for long periods of time caused her pain. She had a need to be on the move and we needed a motivated individual to cover the grounds of this expansive facility.
After showing her value as a custodian, Diana was promoted to become the supervisor of this site. In this capacity she has many duties that require her to be active and that is a perfect fit for her. The staff she oversees requires her attention and to keep up with them, she is always on the move!
Diana says that she “likes the structure of the job and it’s close to home”. Much of Horizon Goodwill’s territory is rural and for many, transportation is not readily available. The logistics of simply getting to a job site can create a barrier to employment when the area you live in has limited job opportunities. Diana is truly a perfect fit in this sparsely populated area and another example of how Horizon Goodwill’s services benefit individuals even in remote locations.
Horizon Goodwill does so much to help so many. And there are so many more people out there for us to help! Sometimes it just takes that first step before you are able realize your full potential. This is why we are here. This is what Horizon Goodwill is all about. Removing barriers, creating opportunities.
Thanks for reading! Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments regarding the blog or what our Business Services division can do for you! bmarks@goodwill-hgi.org