Still haven’t fall-ified your home yet? No worries! It’s not too late to bring the accents and color of fall inside before the winter holiday season is upon us. Shop any of our retail locations for supplies, then give one of these DIY fall decorating ideas a try. [Read more…] about Last-Minute DIY Fall Décor
Michelle’s Story
Michelle Cushing, an honorably discharged Navy veteran, came to Goodwill from the transitioning program at the VA Medical Center in April 2013. Michelle was hired as an enrollment agent for Goodwill’s WV State Police fingerprinting contract through Morph-Trust. Michelle’s job involved attention to detail and customer service skills as well as passing a high-standard background and security clearance. Michelle is doing a tremendous job and has received a multitude of compliments for her work.
Goodwill was also able to assist her with enrolling in transitional housing at the Bethany House in Martinsburg, WV. Thanks to Goodwill Michelle also plans to continue her education and moving forward toward a brighter future. This is a great success story for a young lady that once lived in her car and had not seen her children in years. Now she sees them every weekend and is able to help provide for them. Most recently, Michelle interviewed to become an Emergency 911 dispatcher, she got the job and she will start orientation in the near future. Michelle is very determined, hardworking and a delight to be around. We are so very proud of all of her accomplishments over the last year.
Congratulations Michelle and Happy Veterans Day to YOU! Thank you!
Success Story: Jessica and Billy Roberts
The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services referred Jessica and Billy Roberts, of Romney West Virginia, to Horizon Goodwill Industries. The brother and sister have recently completed their Community Based Assessment, a tool used to determine their level of job readiness, at the Hampshire County Library.
In July 2013 Jessica and Billy began completing a 45-hour assessment at the library assisting with the library’s pre-school hours. During this time Jessica and Billy assisted Ms. Puhalla in doing arts and crafts during the children’s activity time as well as assisting with other projects around the library. On October 2, 2013 Jessica and Billy completed their assessment at the library. The library staff sponsored a going away party for Jessica and Billy, thanking them for their service.
Horizon Goodwill Industries would like to thank the Hampshire County Library for giving Jessica and Billy such a wonderful experience, as well as congratulate Jessica and Billy on the completion of their Community Based Assessment!
Tips for Finding a Job When You’ve Been Unemployed
If you’ve been out of work for an extended period of time, finding employment again can seem like an impossible feat. Despite the stressors of losing your job or being unemployed for personal reasons, there are several steps you can take to maintain your spirits and learn job skills while rediscovering new career opportunities. Here are some tips to help you beat the odds and find a job when you’ve been unemployed.
Finding a New Job IS Your New Job
- Devote all your free time and energy to your job search.
- Wake up early, shower and change as if you were going to work. This will not only keep you in the habit of waking up early when you do find work, but it will also motivate your job search.
- Your daily responsibilities should include finding new job openings, following up with recruiters and reaching out to your network. [Read more…] about Tips for Finding a Job When You’ve Been Unemployed
MAGIC in the Mountains Fall 2013 Conference
During the second week of October a few members of the Horizon Goodwill Industries’ corporate leadership team took a trip to the wonderful Glade Springs Resort located deep in the heart of West Virginia to the “MAGIC in the Mountains” fall 2013 Conference. Although the excursion was lengthy, it was well worth it. We pulled up to a gorgeous resort that offered every amenity you could think of, but the best thing was the eagerness and willingness to learn within the corporate Goodwill team. We are people that are passionate about what we do, that is for sure, and sense of excitement was felt right away.
The Mid Atlantic Goodwill Industries Coalition or MAGIC is comprised of 15 Goodwill® organizations as a regional association whose goal is to collaborate on best practices. As soon as we got there we were greeted by a huge Goodwill Mascot, appropriately named “Puffy G,” and met for a pre-dinner mixer to socialize and get to mingle with our colleagues. These are the people who make Goodwill what it is today, a thriving business model with one thing in common – the passion to create employment and spread our mission. Horizon Goodwill Industries’ mission can be summed up as the following:
Horizon Goodwill Industries serves people who have barriers to getting and keeping a job. Through work experience and other forms of training and counseling, we seek to help them develop the skills and experience needed to be successful in the world of work and to use the skills and experience gained to build careers, which in turn improves life for themselves and their families. Goodwill is about jobs! Jobs give people independence. Independence stabilizes families. Stable families make strong communities.
During the two day meeting we met with our Goodwill peers as a whole and in our niche business sectors for learning objectives and for inspirational speeches given by our best CEO’s, Cheri Bever from Charleston, WV, Alissa Stewart from Huntington, WV, Goodwill Industries International’s CEO Jim Gibbons, and guest speaker Dr. Cal Kent, Ph.D. from Marshall University. The “MAGIC in the Mountains” objective was to meet with our groups of interest within the industry and discuss, brainstorm, and resolve issues and ideas as they related to our region. Our stay was pleasant and our ideas, projects, campaigns, initiatives, and committees are flourishing more every day. It was wonderful to meet all the CEOs of the Goodwill brand and their staffs. What an amazing experience, I am already anticipating next year’s retreat.
I would also like to say thank you to Goodwill Industries of KV and Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc. for hosting us in beautiful West Virginia! Follow their social media accounts for even more information on the conference.
Flagger Safety Training Success at Garrett College
In August of this year, Terry Beachy, Coordinator of the Northern Outreach Center & Mountaintop Truck Driving Institute of Garrett College offered a special Flagger Safety Training course for Goodwill participants. Not only did she offer an additional class outside of their scheduled Flagger Training classes, but she negotiated pricing for the class at a discounted rate for those affiliated with Goodwill.
This certification course is required for individuals flagging along Maryland roadways and is approved by the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) with whom the individuals are now registered. Each participant received a certification card and their names have been submitted to additional databases that employers access to find flaggers.
We want to thank Terry for her efforts in coordinating this, along with the instructor Mr. Joe Farris. They both helped to provide an opportunity for our clients that could possibly open doors that would not have been available to them without the training.
Six of our participants enrolled, paid, and completed the class- they are pictured from left to right: David Timney, James Robinette, Jerry Smith, Daniel Izat, and Gregory Lincoln (in front). Jaron McDonald also participated but was not available at the time of the photo.
submitted by Stephanie Ritchie, Retention Specialist