Welcome back! Each week, I will take you into a new area of our operation. This week I will be discussing a business partner that Horizon Goodwill has worked with for over 15 years,Fort Detrick. [Read more…] about Goodwill Does What?!?!? Part 3
Sherry Lescalleet – Unsung Hero!
On Friday April 15th, our Custodial Supervisor, Sherry Lescalleet, received the Unsung Hero Award from Assistant Director Bruce Massey at the Washington County Department of Social Services employee recognition event!
We are so proud!
Horizon Goodwill Industries launches AMVETS Career Center, powered by the Call of Duty Endowment
On Wednesday January 20th, Horizon Goodwill Industries, in partnership with AMVETS (American Veterans), will launch their AMVETS Career Center powered by the Call of Duty Endowment at the Goodwill Resource Center at 100 Eagle School Road, Martinsburg, WV 25401 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
“Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) is proud to be the first non-AMVET partner in this critical resource for our community,” said Catherine Fleming, Director of Mission Services for HGI. “HGI is a perfect fit as a partner with AMVETS for helping veterans. Job seekers of all kinds come to Goodwill® for services every day, including veterans. AMVETS is well-known to men and women who have exited the service. This partnership offers veterans a convenient location to access training and help finding employment.” said Fleming. Up to now, AMVETS, a national veterans’ service organization, one of eight Call of Duty Endowment grantees, has used local AMVETS posts to house their career centers.
“We are proud to be working together with HGI and confident that this partnership will enhance our joint service offerings for this nation’s heroes, especially for the veterans in the Martinsburg area,” said Jim Pidgeon, AMVETS National Commander. By the end of 2016, more than 74,000 veterans will be living in the 4-state region*. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 5.0 percent national unemployment rate for all Americans (16 and over) for December 2015. That same report identified the unemployment rate for veterans in the following age categories: 20-24 at 6.1%, 25-29 at 6.5%, 30-34 at 8.3%, and 35-39 at 6.3%. If these statistics hold true for the 4-state area, that means between 4,000 and 5,000 men and women who have served our country will be without a job.
Goodwill and AMVETS are doing something about that! #puttingheroestowork
“We provide case management, paid work training and job placement services for vets that are also receiving assistance from the VA,” said Fleming. “Both AMVETS and Goodwill are increasing services to veterans resulting in closer partnerships with VA programs. This vital career center partnership is the first of its kind for both of our organizations.”
AMVETS National Commander James D. Pidgeon and Horizon Goodwill Industries CEO John N. McCain will speak at the launch about the partnership and how it will benefit veterans in the 4-state region.
HGI serves people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia and is able to support needs that could otherwise go unmet in local communities. Goodwill’s vison is helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.
AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s veterans and citizens alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves.
*Source: Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Population Projection Model-VetPop2014; statistics for Washington, Allegany, and Garrett County in MD, Grant, Hardy, Mineral, Hampshire, Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties in WV, Winchester City and Frederick county, Warren, Clarke, Page, and Shenandoah counties in VA and Fulton and the southern portion of Franklin counties in PA.
For more information, please visit www.horizongoodwill.org and www.amvets.org. #puttingheroestowork
Horizon Goodwill Presents A Holiday Tale For 2015
’Twas the week before Christmas, I sat with a movie.
Relaxing with Eastwood, and drinking a smoothie.
In walked my wife, demanded I pause it.
Stressed out highly by the state of our closet.
“Too many clothes, with more gifts to come,
we have to declutter, something must be done!”
I knew at that moment, no watching a gunslinger.
Yes, the missus was right, clothes Santa would bring her. [Read more…] about Horizon Goodwill Presents A Holiday Tale For 2015
You Can Change A Life With A Cardboard Box
Hello, and thanks for checking back in! If you recall from last week I mentioned a truly incredible free service that can help you solve one of those problems many of us experience this time of the year, but are too busy to try to solve. Fortunately, there are much smarter people out there than me! I’m talking about the great team behind GiveBackBox.com. What? You’ve never heard of this totally free service? Well you’re about to! Roll up your sleeves, pour yourself a cup of coffee and get comfortable, because what I’m about to share with you will not only help answer the question as to what to do with all of those boxes that are a byproduct of holiday giving—it can also help change a life. [Read more…] about You Can Change A Life With A Cardboard Box
CEO John McCain Shares Horizon Goodwill’s Mission
Horizon Goodwill Industries’ CEO John McCain addressed Washington County business leaders Wednesday, November 4, 2015 during the ongoing Chamber of Commerce breakfast series “Eggs & Issues”.
“The unemployment rate in Washington County is 5.5 percent. The unemployment rate for a person with a disability is nearly twice that at 10.8 percent, so it becomes twice as hard to find a job when you have a disability,” McCain stated.
Mr. McCain proceeded to explain how Horizon Goodwill focuses on providing a variety of job training programs for area residents who face barriers to employment. “We’re in the service business, and the idea behind service, you focus on what you can do for someone, not what you can’t do for someone because you have this background, because you have this barrier. These are things that are open to you. Let’s work on getting those things and gettin you to where you can be.”
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90% of proceeds from all items donated that are sold at Horizon Goodwill’s local thrift stores goes towards funding these greatly needed job training programs.
Learn more about how you can help Horizon Goodwill Industries continue to help those with barriers to employment find gainful, meaningful work by clicking here.