Horizon Goodwill Awards Employer of the Year to Meritus Health

May 5, 2023

Horizon Goodwill Awards Employer of the Year to Meritus Health

(Hagerstown, Maryland, May 2023) Meritus Health was named “Employer of the Year” at Horizon Goodwill Industries’ (HGI) 68th Annual Power of Work Awards. The event in Hagerstown on May 3, 2023, is scheduled annually to coincide with National Goodwill Week.

The Power of Work Awards recognizes HGI’s participants’ and community partners’ hard work, dedication, and mission support each year. These individuals and businesses embody the HGI Mission of Removing Barriers to Social Mobillty for employment throughout their four-state territory.

This year, nearly 150 people were in attendance, including local officials, program participants, staff, representatives from partnering organizations, and community members.

The Employer of the Year Award recognizes an employer who has demonstrated outstanding support for assisting individuals by hiring program graduates or otherwise contributing to greater outplacement of program participants through their partnering with Horizon Goodwill Industries.

Meritus Health was selected because of its community support and work connecting people with sustainable employment opportunities. A team consisting of members representing Meritus Health, HGI, and Maryland Physicians Care (MPC) developed an innovative pilot program called “Pathways to Healthcare Careers,” which places low/moderate income candidates directly into living wage positions in one of five identified divisions at Meritus with support from HGI and MPC.

In addition to partnering on this innovative employment program, Meritus Health has also worked with HGI on several other health and community development initiatives. The two organizations successfully obtained funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) SEED fund. The SEED Community Development Anchor Institution Fund will aid in creating a full-service grocery store operated by HGI in the Hagerstown downtown core on Prospect St. This project aims to improve community economic and health outcomes by offering affordable healthy food options in the city.

Further collaborative efforts to improve access to healthcare resulted in the award of funds from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission’s “Pathways to Health Equity” program. This resulting project is known as the Hagerstown Health HUB. The two-year grant supports a primary care office at HGI’s downtown Hagerstown location. Meritus Health will provide a full-time nurse practitioner to staff the site. Patients will not be turned away based on insurance status; they will be seen and then connected to a healthcare navigator to assist them in obtaining health insurance.

“At Meritus, we are passionate about our community, and when we find team members who share that passion, it’s a natural fit. We’ve been so fortunate to find team members through this program who want to make a positive impact on their community,” said Dave Lehr, chief strategy officer for Meritus Health. “We’re honored to receive this award from Horizon Goodwill, but we’re even more honored to be able to share the outcomes of our initiatives that demonstrate not only the power of work but the power of working together,” he said.

Overcoming Ex-Offender Barriers

February 23, 2023

Overcoming Ex-Offenders’ Barriers to Finding Employment

by Lucille Adams, guest author*

A criminal record carries four “Cs” that can hamper your ability to find work, earn a living and even rent a house. The dreaded four Cs are the “criminal consequences of a criminal charge.”

These overreaching repercussions can cause lingering frustrations that don’t simply go away. A criminal record is a red flag that waves blatantly in front of the eyes of employers as they go through your personal information during your interview.

A recent report by RAND Corporation, a non-profit think tank, showed that as of 2022, 64% of unemployed Americans have criminal records.

People with criminal records face challenging barriers, especially in employment. According to a study conducted by the Prison Policy Initiative, the unemployment rate is about 27%, even higher than the unemployment rate in the United States during the Great Depression.

In addition, the chance of being called back for an interview is decreased by 50% for white applicants and 72% for African American applicants.

It is a known fact that finding employment can be taxing, especially for people who were formerly incarcerated. This article provides former felons with tips to help them find employment and lists the jobs they could qualify for.

Everyone deserves a second chance and finding employment can be challenging for former felons. However, it is essential to allow all people to reform themselves as better people and citizens of the community.

In line with Horizon Goodwill and Goodwill Industries’ mission of removing barriers and creating employment opportunities, may this article serve as your inspiration and guidance.

The organization hopes that people dealing with homelessness can find shelter and that the unemployed, including ex-offenders, can successfully re-enter the workforce.

You may have an inmate friend or family who is up for parole. Parole boards may consider letters of support from family and friends as evidence that the prisoner should be granted parole. If you want to see sample letters of support for inmates, read more here.

Tips for People With Criminal Records to Find Employment

The Clean Slate Initiative reports that nine out of ten employers conduct background checks on prospective employees.

The Clean Slate is a bipartisan policy that aims to help people with criminal records get jobs by updating and expanding the process by which people can clear their records if they stay crime-free. Bipartisan public policies look for solutions to problems by bringing together the best ideas for both parties.

Here are some strategies you can apply when looking for a job:

Have your criminal records deleted if possible. You may be able to get your record erased like it never happened, depending on your charges and the state in which you were convicted.
Prepare appropriately for your interview. Preparing for your interview is essential because your preparation can show your determination to get the job.

You can think about the questions you might be asked during the interview and how you would answer them. Writing out your answers can help you clarify your thoughts.

Ask for letters of recommendation from your previous employers. Reach out to people in positions who can attest to your skills and character.
Ensure your resume is updated and highlights the skills you have acquired. When you apply for a job, tailor your resume to highlight your skills and experience relevant to the position. Create a clean, structured format so that it is easy to read.
Use the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit offers businesses a tax credit for hiring individuals who have faced barriers to employment.

Employers may be eligible for a tax credit if they hire an individual who is WOTC targeted group.

Find training opportunities with recruitment companies. Ex-offenders often encounter difficulties when looking for educational opportunities to find a job, but don’t lose hope. Many options are available if you are dedicated to finding the right program.

Be truthful about your past. One thing you must never do is lie about your past or criminal record.

When you apply for a job, your employers may ask about your references, including your parole or probation officers. It is best to let them know from the start to avoid problems in the future.

Search for employers who are willing to hire people with criminal records. Seek out companies and jobs with second chances or are open for hire.
Find something positive to talk about. If you have a criminal record, the interviewer will likely ask about your past offenses.

Before the interview, think of ways to talk about what you have learned and how it will benefit your future employer.

Don’t give up, and persevere in starting over. If you find yourself unemployed, ensuring your resume shows employers you have the skills needed for a new position is crucial.

If you’re willing to go above and beyond for your employer, it can be a good way to show that commitment.

What Jobs Are Available to Ex-convicts?

Although finding employment as an ex-convict is hard, employment for felons is often found in construction, food service, and rehabilitation counseling. Following the tips above, a little determination and the right attitude can help you find a well-paying job.

With that said, here are some available jobs for ex-felons. These jobs pay well, too, which is a plus when you’re trying to rebuild your new life after your release from prison.

Network support administrator: Network support specialists are often the first people contacted when a computer malfunctions. They also install computer software and troubleshoot various types of networks if they are down. The hourly pay is around $25 to $45 an hour.
Wielding: Many convicted felons have found welding rewarding. The average welder earns around $41,380 annually, but you could make less if you have little experience.
Computer programmer: These programmers write the code that makes new software possible. They also test and correct the code to ensure the software works as intended. The hourly pay for a computer programmer is around $35 to $60 an hour.
Carpenter: Felons wishing to find a well-paying job often choose carpentry. The median annual salary for this career is $46,509, and the job outlook is average. You can choose this career path if you want a career that offers stability and advancement opportunities.
Truck driver: The rise in online shopping has created a growing demand for truck drivers.

Commercial truck driving is often stressful, contributing to the high turnover rate. But the turnover rate is good for you because there are always opportunities to get behind the wheel. The average annual wage is $43,690.

Most employers will hesitate to interview or hire former felons, but they still have a chance. An excellent resume and cover letter are still vital to creating an image of professionalism and trustworthiness.

Make an effort to make and prepare for a job interview by researching the company beforehand and coming up with the questions you can ask in the interview.

*Lucille Adams is a researcher and writer in the area of personal and business financial management. Her core focus is covering sound, conservative cash flow and investing strategies that unlock long-term value for small business owners, entrepreneurs, families, and retirees.

Roy is Breaking the Cycle

February 10, 2023

Roy Swim has taken a big step toward breaking the vicious cycle of homelessness.

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

For Roy, panhandling had become easier than finding work. It became a routine. Apply for jobs, then hit the streets to make some money to survive. And then, the next day, do it all over again.

“It became a vicious cycle.”

Roy had dealt with homelessness and unemployment in Asheville and later in Hagerstown.

“A lot of it was due to my addiction,” says Roy, adding he battled addiction for about 20 years. “It’s a long time. A long, long time.”

Roy’s journey took a turn when his family relocated. He said the new school district felt that, at 17, he was too old for ninth grade.

“I was actually kicked out of high school. I was 17. I was still a freshman when my parents relocated. My dad was the one that really relocated. Then the school that he took me to said a 17-year-old has no business being in ninth grade,” he explains. “They wanted me to try night classes or alternative schooling because I would have been 21 before graduating. And after that, I just went to work and got my first job at McDonald’s. Then Taco Bell, and it just progressed from there. I’ve done a lot of cooking throughout my life.”

“I went through some things down there and some homelessness. Almost got to the point where it became chronic.”

Roy has three children. It was his son that brought him to Hagerstown.

“He was 14 then, and I wasn’t in his life. I decided that I wanted to get into his life. So I packed up, hit the Greyhound, and came up here,” he explained. “It was a quick relationship. I probably shouldn’t even have had him, but it is what it is.”

In Roy’s words, his son was “a little guarded.” The boy’s mother helped Roy get a job at McDonald’s, where he stayed for a few years, but he found advancement difficult, which he believes was because he was considered family and there was a fear of favoritism. So, he moved on.

Roy stayed “all over the place” — people’s basements, people’s couches.

“Some nights, I was on the streets. Everything got worse once I quit working. And then I found this little thing called panhandling,” he said. “I went up to Dual Highway and put up a sign one day, and I made $300, and I was like, wow, people really, really helped me out. And I used that to get me into hotels, and buy dinner and do everything else.”

It was a lot easier than the alternative.

“Finding a job is a full-time job, without a doubt. We would go to the library, put one or two applications in every morning, and then we go and try to make our money for the day,” he explains.

“If somebody came to us with five bucks, we accepted it. If they came to us with lunch meat, sandwiches, you’d see many churches do that,” he added. “Many people go up to Sheetz and get you an MTO soda and sandwich. Bag of chips. By the end of the day, we had groceries, money, and pretty much everything we needed to make it. Some people would bring us blankets and sheets, and pillows. A guy brought me shoes because I had holes in my shoes…”

It became routine. Apply for jobs, and hit the streets to make some money to survive. And then, the next day, do it all over again.

“Thank God — I forget how — Homeless Outreach came up to us and told us about the program,” he said.

The Homeless Outreach program is a community initiative called; Change the Way You Give. It provides an opportunity to help individuals suffering from homelessness through financial support from community agencies rather than encouraging panhandling. If you would like to give to the program, click here.

“And that’s exactly what happened. ” Roy says they did exactly that and everything they said they would do,” Roy says. “It was Goodwill; it was Reach, it was Turning Point; it was a wholly collaborative effort by everybody.”

Roy had befriended Kara Armstrong on the streets, and together, they came to Horizon Goodwill. Kara won the Bennett S. Rubin Graduate of the Year award. It was presented to her at the 2022 Power of Work Awards Event. Watch her story here. https://youtu.be/5JsvWnKjEt0

Roy met Wes McCulley, then an Associate Director of Workforce Development, who introduced him to Sherry Lescalleet, the regional custodial manager, who offered him a job.

And soon, they had a lead on a place to live.

“A supervisor that worked here at the time said, ‘Hey, my landlords have an opening in the building, why don’t you guys save up some money, and I’ll take you up and introduce you,” he explains. “We talked about it and spent $300 a week in a hotel room. And so we started saving as much money as possible.”

They met with the landlord. The place was a couple of weeks away from being ready, giving them more time to build their money. “We gave him what we had to hold the apartment, and we just started saving, saving, saving — working.”

Roy has now been with HGI for about 18 months. He has a home. He has a job. And he has been clean for almost two years.

“It’s hard to be homeless, and the drugs at that point were really to cope. It sucks to have no place to go. Nobody to go to. We literally had nobody,” he recalls. “We would panhandle until we made our money for our room, and that was upwards of, like, $80 a day, some days: some days, $100. So between the two of us, it was exhausting to be out there panhandling all the time. Not fun. Not fun at all.”

To others who may be facing similar struggles, Roy offers some simple advice.

“Get out. If you need it, there are people out there that will help you.”

Timothy is Not Accepting Failure

October 7, 2022

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

When Timothy Day was released from federal incarceration for good behavior 61 months into a 77-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, he knew a return to Atlanta would not be in his best interest. So after six months of home confinement, he set the process in motion to return to the place where it all started 30-plus years ago — Cumberland, Maryland.

“I didn’t want to go back to Atlanta because the reputation I had for the stuff that I did was never going to leave me alone. I wanted to come back to a place where I knew that I could function on the money resources that I had available to me without any strain on me. So, I came to Cumberland, Maryland,” he said.

Timothy had left Cumberland in the mid-1970s. His journey to come full circle was one of many miles and trials.

“I’m not going to lie to you; it had to do with drugs and drug use,” Timothy says when discussing the reputation he wanted to escape.

“It was a lifestyle. It wasn’t so much the drugs; it was all the bells and whistles that came with it,” he added. “I had been on drugs since I was a young boy. It started when I was six years old smoking weed, and when I hit 28, it just took a whole different turn.”

That was after several stops and starts, including attending a trade school for automotive before dropping out in the last semester. He had found himself in Atlanta, trying to support a young family.

“It started where I was self-employed, and cocaine and methamphetamines were helping me accomplish that work I needed to take care of my house and my family, but after two years of constantly working 16 hours a day, seven days a week, I had two nervous breakdowns,” he explains. “I’d go back and start building my life back again, and before long, I’d be right back on drugs because of the pressure and the stress.”

As time passed, he bounced between North Carolina and Georgia. Then came the federal charges. Upon his release, he knew he had to make a change.

“I needed some kind of foundation, so I got on the computer and pulled up the Maryland reentry guide, and they gave me information on Goodwill and a few other places, and I chose to contact Goodwill,” he added. “After I contacted Goodwill … every barricade I hit, or thing I had to maneuver around, Horizon Goodwill was there to help me and make sure that I was staying focused on what I was trying to accomplish and give me the resources to reach out to, like DORS (Division of Rehabilitation Services).”

Timothy began services with HGI in December of 2021, enrolling in both employment services and housing navigation programs. Working with Housing Navigator Andi Welch, in June of this year he secured income-based housing, left the Union Rescue Mission, and is now living in his own apartment in Cumberland.

“So, I landed right back in the same spot as I stood 35 years ago, but everything is due to a purpose. I just keep myself going knowing that this is something that I’m doing now that I’ve been trying to do for the past 20 years, but every time I tried to get my certification or go to school to become what I’m becoming, I got involved with drugs,” he said. “Anytime a situation came up with judgment involved, I’d resort back to you to drugs, but this time it’s different because I like the path that I’m on, and I’m enjoying every step that I’ve taken.”

Timothy also entered into the Temp Labor/Paid Training Program in June and began working at the Warehouse in Cumberland, where he quickly excelled in the position.

“They helped me establish my housing, they helped me establish work — I worked for Horizon in a temporary position. It felt good because it was the first time I worked in a long time, and I made sure I was a very dedicated worker,” he said. “So, it’s been very beneficial for me because it opened a lot of doors and stood beside me with my guidance and sometimes listened to me moan and groan about things, but they wanted to hear it. They were very interested in what I had to say. They’ve always been there for me, even still today. I can contact them if I’m dealing with something, and they’ll come to talk to me and help me get through it or maybe even come up with resources that are available in my community to help me maneuver through.”

Warehouse Manager Melissa Harris praised that dedication, highlighting that he picked up very quickly on all his assigned work duties and was able to work independently and at a very fast pace. She particularly noted his dependability and work ethic.

Timothy has also been successful in his recovery program with the Allegany County Health Department and has a passion for helping others. He enrolled in the Human Services Program at Allegany College of Maryland and left his paid training position at the warehouse in August to participate in the program full-time for the fall semester. He is also now an employee at the college.

Timothy says he has no real regrets about the journey that brought him here because it made him who he is today and gave him the knowledge and experience to help others, which is his goal after completing his studies.

“No matter where you started, you end up in the same place that I ended up in, and if I can help people from getting to there by what I can say about it…” he said. “I don’t want somebody to be 55 years old and go through all the stuff that I went through. If I get someone in their 20s and get them to understand that they don’t have to waste away parts of their life, thinking that it’s okay, and they got control of it… because sooner or later, you don’t have control over it because it takes control you. ”

Timothy wishes he could have taken this initiative 30 years ago but says he feels blessed to be alive to do the things he is doing now. A father of four with three grandchildren, he is even more thankful they get to see him setting out on this new part of his life’s journey and to have their support along the way.

“I haven’t been a man on a mission for a long time… you can’t stop a man on a mission. I’m definitely going to succeed because I’m not accepting failure, “ he said. “The journey that I’m supposed to be on… the destination has not been met. And I do believe that the journey that I’m on now is the journey that I’m supposed to have been on in the eyes of the Lord. So, therefore, here I go.”

Rhonda: Don’t Give up; Keep Going No Matter What

August 16, 2022

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

For Rhonda Eastman, the decision to come to Maryland was a calling — to be in a place where she could help people — and while that journey has had its trials, she knows she is better prepared to make a difference in people’s lives.

“I felt like the Lord wanted me to come here. I was watching some programs, and they were talking about Maryland, and a few weeks later, He told me that he was going to move me to Maryland,” Eastman explains. “I picked Hagerstown because it was a smaller town. I’m actually called to be a pastor. So I gave everything away and only brought a suitcase and two bags.”

Rhonda retired from her job of nine years at McDonald’s’ to prepare for the move. But moving from Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Missouri, to her new home in Maryland was not without its challenges.

“I really felt like the Lord sent me here, but later on, I was running out of funds to stay in the motel,” she said.

So, she turned to something she knew – Mcdonald’s.

“If you don’t have funds, you have nowhere to go. I had to camp at work … I had to wait until we got paid, so off and on, I would be on the street,” she explains. “You almost have to go behind buildings just to stay warm.”

Despite her best efforts, Rhonda found she couldn’t save enough money to get steady housing and knew she needed help.

Rhonda had applied and interviewed with Goodwill at a Job Fair in March. She also met with Housing Navigation. Having already stayed at the Salvation Army and could not go back for six months. Options were discussed with Goodwill’s Director of Workforce/Human Services, Adam Sewell, who was able to put her in the Dagmar Hotel for a night.

Horizon Goodwill representatives explored several temporary housing options to no avail. Finally, they apprised The Salvation Army of the situation, and Rhonda was granted a week’s stay until Goodwill could get a room ready. Within a day, Horizon Goodwill had a room at the shelter available and ready for Rhonda.

At the same time, a friend was helping her navigate the housing authority.

“As soon as I got to the Dagmar Hotel, I heard from them that I was on top of the list, and three months later, I got my apartment,” she said.

As part of the Goodwill Shelter Program, Rhonda started working for Goodwill at the corporate location in the north-end warehouse before moving to the Burhans Boulevard location. Now she’s at the brand-new North Pointe store in Hagerstown.

“That was awesome!” she said of the ribbon-cutting event held for the new store on July 14.

And does she enjoy her work? “Oh yeah, I love it!” she enthusiastically answers.

While there were times she admits she wanted to give up, Rhonda sees her journey as training – preparing her for her opportunity to help others in the future.

“It’s just part of my sacrifice. I’ve always wanted to help people on the street. And He taught me through this experience to help people more. My dream was to have my own mission,” she explains. “So, I feel like coming here and going through this experience, it was also a learning experience to get me ready to help other people that need help.”

“I felt like this was part of my ministry to help people and to evangelize the best way I know how,” she continues. “I don’t know where I will be, but I think I will have my own mission and have that recreation room where we come in for fellowship, and the ones that don’t know the Lord will come to the Lord and just love him – because a lot of those people don’t have love.”

Rhonda wants others to see her story as a source of encouragement.

“Don’t give up. There were times that I wanted to give up, and the Lord told me, don’t give up; keep going no matter what. And that’s what I did,” she said. “I really encourage them to do the same thing. It’s hard, but they will make it no matter what.”

Jennifer is Thankful for the Opportunity to Prove Herself Again

April 1, 2022

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

Jennifer knows a thing or two about overcoming addiction. More than once, she has recognized it in herself and used that as motivation to make a change. Now 10 months sober, it’s Horizon Goodwill she credits with giving her the opportunity to get her life back on track.

“I’ve struggled with addiction on and off all my life. I’ve pretty much got myself finally free from that, I believe,” she said in a recent interview. “I rebuilt my life. At one point I didn’t have an apartment, job, or a car and I have gained all that back from myself.”

The Cumberland native didn’t have the easiest of childhoods, her mother suffered from schizophrenia. Despite the difficulties at home, however, she graduated from high school, marrying in her senior year.

“Somehow, I managed to do that. I don’t know how, but I did,” she explains. “I got married in high school. That was pretty much another downhill for 20 years.”

While others pursued their post-high school dreams, Jennifer’s goal was to take care of her family.

“I became pregnant a year and a half after the marriage. We just started the family, and I pretty much was home with the kids while he worked,” she said.

Drugs became a form of self-medication.

“In my 30s, there was cocaine and prescription drugs. I’ve been free from that for 13 years,” she explains, saying it was ending up in jail that was the final straw. “That was just jail — it was the county, but it was long enough.”

It was that same self-awareness that led her to seek treatment for alcohol addiction. That meant stops at the Massie Unit, an addictions treatment facility for adults, and the Allegany House, which helps individuals re-adjust to society without dependence on substances.

Through all her struggles with addiction, she has had the self-realization to change the path she was on.

“When it came to the alcohol last year, I just knew I was a wreck and I had to go get it under control. I put myself in the Massie Unit, then I went to the Allegheny House for further treatment,” she said.

It was that decision to seek treatment that ultimately introduced her to Horizon Goodwill.

“I met a couple of goodwill employees while I was there. They became my case managers and helped me through,” she said.

Jennifer worked a training period at the La Vale Goodwill location. The work helped her get back on her feet, including giving her the ability to move into her own place.

“It was a fantastic experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity, it got me back into the workforce,” she said, something she couldn’t find elsewhere. “Because honestly, through all of that, I had charges, so I couldn’t get nobody to hire me whatsoever because of that open case. Finding employment was really hard for me.”

Those charges were later dismissed and thrown out, she explained, but “that didn’t take away from a year I couldn’t get a job because of it.”

Her training at Goodwill gave her a foundation to build on. Now she is an inspector at Berry Global, a local plastics fabrication firm. Plus, she can spend time focusing on her four adult children.

“Boy, girl, boy, girl. I have two generations of kids. My first two are in the 30s and the second two are 21 and 18 now,” she said.

And now, there is a grandson, too.

“Right now, what I am looking forward to, is taking my children to the beach this summer. That’s my biggest goal other than getting my transportation back. Just continuing to get back the things I lost,” she said.

All are goals that may not have been possible If she hadn’t the strength to recognize the pattern of addiction and sought the treatment that introduced her to her case managers at Horizon Goodwill.

“I’m just thankful and grateful for Horizon Goodwill for giving me the opportunity to start proving myself again,” she said.