2nd Quarter 2012 Ambassador

Ambassador Summer 2012

Goodwill Week Creating Opportunities with Career Solutions

Big Plans in 2012 A Priceless Find at Goodwill Brides-to-Be Travel Hundreds of Miles to Save Hundreds of Dollars Our business is changing lives.

Contents

Ambassador Summer 2012

President and CEO David Lifsey Publisher Karl Houston, Senior Director of Marketing & Community Relations Editor and Writer Jamie Berry, PR & Communications Manager

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Art Director Suzanne Lynch, Manager of Creative Services Ambassador is a quarterly magazine published by Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc., 1015 Herman St., Nashville, TN 37208.

For the nearest retail store, donation center, or Career Solutions center, please call 800.545.9231 or visit www.giveit2goodwill.org.

Ambassador provides readers with stories of the events, activities and people who support the mission of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee.

We are pleased to provide you this information and hope you will share our publication with others.

Please note that the opinions expressed in Ambassador do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official position of management or employees of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. The Goodwill Mission We sell donated goods to provide employment and training opportunities for people who have disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.

Big Plans in 2012................................................................................................. 1 Neighborhood Yard Sales, Community Clean-Ups, City-Wide Yard Sales & Goodwill.......................................................................... 2 Graduation is Good for Goodwill........................................................................... 2 From Overwhelmed to Organized....................................................................... 3 Brides-to-Be Travel Hundreds of Miles to Save Hundreds of Dollars..................... 4 A Priceless Find at Goodwill............................................................................... 5 Success Stories.................................................................................................... 6 Goodwill Launches New Arts Campaign............................................................... 7 Goodwill Week.................................................................................................... 8 7 Job Fairs, 32 Employers & 497 Job Seekers................................................... 10 Another $236,000 Grant from Microsoft.............................................................11 Solar & Saving................................................................................................... 12 Other Goodwill Green Efforts...............................................................................12 Board of Directors...............................................................................................13 Did You Know?....................................................................................................14

david jenkins

big plans in 2012 Mill Creek progress

Two New Stores

A Goodwill store could be coming to a neighborhood near you. Goodwill is making a return to two neighborhoods, and that means more jobs.

A brand new Goodwill store is being built in the Mill Creek community in Brentwood. The 25,000 square foot store will be located at 6690 Nolensville Road, near Concord Road. “We closed our Nolensville Road store two years ago, because it was too small and it was not set up to take donations,” said David Jenkins, Senior Director of Retail. “While our Mill Creek store is not a replacement for the Nolensville Road store, it will give this community a great place to shop and donate.” When Mill Creek opens in September, it will be Goodwill’s largest store.

The Apple Market, located at 2731 Lebanon Pike in Donelson, will also be transformed into a Goodwill store. The store will be around 15,000 square feet.

drive-through for donations on the side of the store. If it is raining, your donations will not get wet, and neither will you.

New Career Solutions

There has been an addition to a Donation Express Center in Clarksville. In late May, we added a Career Solutions center at the location on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. A career counselor will be on site Monday through Friday to help job seekers in their search for employment. This is our 19th Career Solutions center across Middle and West Tennessee.

New Donation Express Center

Donors in Robertson County will now be able to recycle their furniture and clothing at the same place they recycle their paper and plastics.

In April, Goodwill opened its 68th Donation Express Center at the recycling center on Old

When Mill Creek opens in September, it will be Goodwill’s largest store.

“We are very excited about our new stores for 2012,” said Jenkins. “Both will have drive-throughs for the convenience of our donors.” They will also have a Career Solutions center attached. The opening of these stores and Career Solutions centers will create up to 60 new jobs.

A Store Expansion

An expansion at the Goodwill store in Lebanon, located at 1031 W. Main Street, was just completed in May. There is now a covered giveit2goodwill.org

Greenbrier Pike in Springfield. “We just want to give donors a second place to give, and we think setting up a truck at the recycling center is the perfect location,” said Jennifer Kalifa, Donations Manager for Goodwill.

All 68 Donation Express Centers are located throughout the 46 counties we serve in Middle and West Tennessee. To find the one nearest you, go to giveit2goodwill.org/locations.

West Tennessee Project

Goodwill’s biggest project this year is taking

place in West Tennessee. The old Movie Gallery on W. University Parkway in Jackson is being remodeled. When it is finished, it will house a new Donation Express Center, a new Career Solutions center, and offices for our Senior HR Consultant as well as a new addition to our staff. “We are excited to announce the expansion of Special Projects into our West Tennessee market. We have hired a new Community Relations Coordinator,” said Karl Houston, Senior Director of Marketing & Community Relations. The new addition will allow Goodwill to better serve its donors by offering neighborhood donation drives, university drives and coordinating pickups for special events. The new facility is expected to be finished in late August.

On the Move

Goodwill Sign Solutions is making a move in July. Business has increased so much, it has run out of room in the current work space in one of Goodwill’s corporate buildings.

The new location on 2nd Avenue North in Nashville is nearly 4,000 square feet—nearly four times the size of the current work space. “Our new space has different areas for each job, which will allow us to be more productive,” said Jeff Carter, Manager of Print Services.

Sign Solutions currently specializes in large format color digital printing of signs, banners, vehicle graphics, vinyl lettering and decals for businesses. Jeff and his team also do a lot of smaller projects for people who are looking for special occasion banners and photos on canvas. “Once we have moved into our new space, we will be able to house more equipment. That will allow us to expand our product offerings.”

Sign Solutions will also upgrade its website to allow online ordering. “I am very excited about this project. Customers will be able to both design and make purchases, all online.” The new ordering system should be up and running this summer. n Ambassador Summer 2012 1

Graduation is Good for Goodwill Goodwill is always looking for ways to make donating easy and convenient. This spring, college students at six area universities did not even have to leave their dorm to donate.

Goodwill set up donation containers in the lobbies of the residence halls at Vanderbilt, Belmont, Lipscomb, APSU, MTSU and TSU, and it paid off.

karl houston

College students donated enough items to fill 100 large bins. We are talking thousands of donations including books, clothing, shoes and accessories. Goodwill also received four refrigerators, two microwaves and a television. “The university donation drives kept us very busy,” said Natisha Moultry, Community Relations Manager for Goodwill.

“We serviced the containers daily, but we were getting so many donations, on some days we had to make as many as three trips.”

Neighborhood Yard Sales, Community Clean-Ups, City-Wide Yard Sales, & Goodwill

For many of us, spring is a reminder to do a little cleaning.

Next comes the yard sale, and then probably a visit to your local Goodwill to donate what did not sell. Well, you may not know it, but Goodwill will come to you, if you are part of a neighborhood yard sale, community clean-up or city-wide yard sale.

In April and May, Goodwill employees set up temporary attended donation trucks at approximately 30 city-wide and neighborhood yard sales. Goodwill’s special projects team stayed busy, helping more than 1,200 people donate the items that did not sell.

Fieldstone Farms in Franklin is always the biggest one of the year. On April 14, after the neighborhood yard sale had ended, 232 people dropped off donations. Employees were ready for the rush, with five special projects attendants assisting those donors. “We really enjoy being in that neighborhood,” said Natisha Moultry, Community Relations Manager for Goodwill. “The residents in Fieldstone Farms are so friendly and love supporting Goodwill’s mission.”

The Goodwill donation drives usually start in March and wrap up in November. In 2011, special projects attendants worked 65 donation drives, and this year, that number is expected to go up. “Some of the neighborhoods have worked with us for over ten years. We are so thankful they allow us to come back year after year.” So if your city or neighborhood is hosting a yard sale soon, do not forget about Goodwill. It is possible Goodwill will come to you. For more information, call Moultry at (615) 346-1601. n

Donation drives make up

17% percent of our donations for the year.

2 Ambassador Summer 2012

Those donation containers were put out about two weeks before the spring semester ended.

That way, when students were packing up all of their stuff to head home for the summer, they had a convenient place to drop off the items they did not want to take with them.

“We get a lot of donations from students who are graduating from college.”

Goodwill’s presence at these universities is a win-win for everyone. Parents and students do not have to pack up those unwanted items.

The universities do not have to pick up after students who leave behind items they no longer want. And the thousands of donations by generous college students allow Goodwill to continue its mission of providing jobs and job training to those who struggle to find a job and keep a job.

When all the donations were collected, Goodwill had received:

Vanderbilt 26 bins 3 refrigerators 1 microwave

Belmont 13 bins

MTSU 21 bins 1 television 1 microwave 1 refrigerator

TSU 13 bins

Lipscomb 23 bins

APSU 4 bins giveit2goodwill.org

PHOTOS provided

started the purging process. Moore loaded up three big boxes of items and took them to Goodwill.

In March came the fun part – the shopping. Moore had $500 to spend at The Container Store. To help her get organized, Clark helped her pick out the right purchases. That included several containers to

They started the purging process.

Moore loaded up three big boxes of items and took them to Goodwill.

from Overwhelmed to Organized

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nless you are a clean freak, your home could probably use a little organizing. Cindi Moore found herself overwhelmed by the amount of things she, her husband and three kids had accumulated in just three years. The Moores moved into their home in Old Hickory in 2008, and up until recently, they also worked out of their home.

“In August, we moved our home business out to a retail location, and we were in the process of trying to convert our home back into a home,” said Moore. “We had three rooms that were just a mess.”

Just one month after the big move, Moore entered Goodwill’s Project Organize contest. Moore and about 100 others sent in pictures of their three messiest rooms, and told in 200 words or less why they needed help getting organized. The winner would get one free organizing session with Tanna Clark, owner of Complete Organizing Solutions, one five-hour house cleaning from Angel Maids, $500 worth of products from The Container Store and a $100 gift card to Goodwill.

Moore got the call in October. “I about hit the floor when they told me I had won. I was so ecstatic.”

The process started in January when Clark came out for a brainstorming visit. “I loved working with Cindi because she was very crafty, and she had great ideas,” said Clark. During Clark’s second visit, they giveit2goodwill.org

store the items they decided to keep. Then it was off to Goodwill to spend that $100 gift card. “We found some great things at Goodwill, including several baskets,” said Moore. And those baskets and containers are now being put to good use in their newly organized home.

After the Moores got organized, Angel Maids came out to the house for a five-hour cleaning. “They got us sparkling just in time for Easter.”

So what does Moore have to say about the entire experience? “This has been amazing and life altering for us. Everything now has its own spot, and all of the normal messes are hidden away.” And without Project Organize, Moore says the family would still be living in an unorganized home.

“Because of the time and cost, it would’ve taken us three to four years to get organized.” Three to four years turned into three to four months, thanks to a little assistance and some new and gently used purchases. n

Project Organize 2012 Do you have a clutter problem? You could be the next Project Organize winner. The next contest will take place in September. Look for more information on our website this summer.

In the meantime, Clark has some good advice: • Whether it’s from a professional organizer or a friend, get help. It takes so much more time to do it yourself, and when someone is helping, we tend to make it a priority.

• Also, if you are faced with an entire room or house full of clutter, stop focusing on the big picture and mentally separate your house into manageable goals.

• Don’t buy a single organizing product until you have sorted and weeded out what doesn’t belong.

• When you are boxing up the items you no longer want, be sure and donate them to Goodwill.

Ambassador Summer 2012 3

photos by jamie berry, karl houston & CAMERON MURRAY

2012 Wedding Gala

Brides-to-Be Travel Hundreds of Miles to Save Hundreds of Dollars

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hey came from Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and all across Tennessee for the third annual Wedding Gala, and they came early. Brides-to-be started lining up outside Goodwill’s Rivergate store on March 16, the day before the threehour sale. The first bride-to-be arrived at 7:30 p.m. By midnight, about 50 people were in line – 13 brides-to-be, their friends, parents, siblings, children, and fiancés.

Kayla McGowan was the fifth bride-to-be to arrive with her entourage. She showed up around 9 p.m., hoping to find her dream dress at a fraction of the cost. “I want to get married this May, but if I don’t find a dress here, I’m going to have to postpone my wedding until next year, so I can come back to the sale and try again,” said McGowan. “I have saved up some money, and my mom and my best friend have also pitched in, but I only have $90.”

While the brides camped out, employees and event sponsors worked into the night transforming the Goodwill store into a bridal boutique. That included the delivery of more than 300 wedding gowns, and about 700 bridesmaid’s dresses, flower girl dresses, mother’s dresses, and prom dresses. Most of the dresses had been donated by area bridal boutiques. All wedding gowns were priced from $49 to $399, and that included designer gowns worth as much as $6,000.

Excited bargain shoppers line up 4 Ambassador Summer 2012

When the doors opened on March 17 at 6 a.m., 350 future brides and their entourages sprinted into the store. In just five minutes, the racks that had once held more than 300 wedding gowns, were empty.

Future brides had grabbed them by the handful.

Kayla McGowan tried on about 20 dresses before she found the one.

“As soon as I put it on, I started crying,” said McGowan. It was a little more than what she had budgeted for, but it was perfect. “I’m just go- Kayla McGowan overwhelmed ing to charge it and make payments by an act of kindness until I pay it off,” said McGowan.

But when McGowan got to the register, two anonymous angels pitched in to help her pay for her gown. McGowan broke down in tears once again.

During the three-hour sale, 322 dresses were sold—nearly 100 more than last year.

There were more happy tears throughout the morning as future brides continued to find “the one.” During the three-hour sale, 322 dresses were sold­—nearly 100 more than last year. Goodwill also sold dozens of veils, shoes and crinolines. Onlinegoodwill.com set up a fabulous display of accessories and sold more than 200 pieces of jewelry.

And you can bet next year’s event will be even better. Just two days after the Wedding Gala, an area bridal boutique donated more than 130 wedding gowns.

It’s a very special moment when a bride finds that perfect dress. It is even more special when you think about how those purchases support Goodwill’s mission of providing jobs and training to those who struggle to find work. What a special day for all of those brides on a budget, and for Goodwill. n giveit2goodwill.org

hen you walk into a Goodwill store, you expect to find bargains. No one knows that better than Christin Benson and Ann Long. The ladies admit to shopping at the Goodwill store in Antioch at least once a week.

“I shop for whatever pops, clothes and shoes mostly,” said Long.

“I have a house full of items from Goodwill, and practically everything in my closet is from Goodwill,” said Benson.

Long and Benson have been longtime supporters of Goodwill.

“I’ll come to the Goodwill store to donate bags of stuff, and then I end up leaving with bags of stuff. I donate and then I replace from Goodwill,” said Benson.

“I give to Goodwill, and I like to shop here, too. I want to look good without going over my budget,” said Long.

“I’ll come to the Goodwill store to donate bags of stuff, and then I end up leaving with bags of stuff.”

But, on half-price Saturday in February, these two ladies found a treasure they were not expecting. “I was in line and I looked behind me and there was Ann, and we started chatting,” said Benson.

The ladies had run into one another five or six times over the last year. “We would advise each other on our finds. I’d say, hey that’s cute, or no that doesn’t look good, I want that,” said Long with a laugh. They even exchanged phone numbers once while shopping at Goodwill, but nothing ever came of it. That all changed on that Saturday in February. “Christin’s husband was going to pick her up in his pickup truck because she buys so much stuff at Goodwill, but I took her home, and ever since then, we’ve been best friends.”

In just a few months, their relationship has blossomed. “We plant flowers, go to lunch, and of course, we shop at Goodwill. We love coming on Wednesday for 99 cent day.” said Long.

And this newfound friendship has given Benson a bit of a confidence boost. “I’ve put on a few pounds, and I was buying baggy clothes because I had lost confidence in myself. But when I met Ann, she told me that I had a nice figure and I should show what I’ve got.

She’s actually brought back my mojo.”

These ladies will tell you that their meeting was fate. “I know it was a God thing, because we just kept running into each other, and this just doesn’t happen,” said Long.

“If it weren’t for Goodwill, we wouldn’t have met. I feel like it was meant to be,” said Benson.

It just goes to show, you never know what great treasures you will find at Goodwill. n giveit2goodwill.org

PHOTOS BY CAMERON MURRAY

photos by jamie berry, karl houston & CAMERON MURRAY

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A Priceless Find at Goodwill

Christin pictured here on the left, Ann on the right

SCAN TO watch their story Ambassador Summer 2012 5

goodwill success stories n

LaDonis

we change lives

JAMIE

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amie was about to turn 40 when she reached a low point in her life. She had just gone through a divorce, and then she got mixed up in drugs.

At the time, Jamie was living in Florida and working day labor, so she did not have a steady job. “Most of my money was being spent on drugs,” she says.

Just a short time later, Jamie found herself living on the streets. “I slept on riverbanks, the beaches and under picnic tables in parks. Then, I lived in a tent for almost a year.” suzanne lynch After five years of homelessness and drugs, Jamie got a wake-up call. “My sister told me she didn’t know when she was going to talk to me again, because she couldn’t take it anymore.”

That helped motivate Jamie to turn her life around. She stopped doing drugs, started saving money and moved to Nashville where

6 Ambassador Summer 2012

goodwill success stories

SCAN TO watch Ladonis’ interview

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alk into the Goodwill store in Antioch and one thing is for sure – the store is spotless. The bathrooms are clean, the windows are smudge-free and the polished concrete floors are shining. “The floors look the same as they did two years ago when we opened the store,” says Angeline, the store manager. “LaDonis takes real good care of them.”

To say LaDonis takes pride in his work would be an understatement.

While cleaning is his primary job, his first task doesn’t require a mop or a broom, just patience. His shift starts at 8 a.m., but if you happen to drive by the store at 7 a.m., you will see LaDonis outside, waiting.

“I want to be here when Ms. Angeline gets here,” says Ladonis.

It is something he has been doing for more than two years now. “I think he worries about me and just wants to make sure I’m safe when I arrive to open the store,” says Angeline.

As soon as LaDonis clocks in for the day, he gets to work on those floors - sweeping, scraping and then moping, so they are clean and dry by the time the store opens at 9 a.m. LaDonis tackles the windows next, and then moves on to the bathrooms, the dressing rooms and the break room. And trying to keep up with him is nearly impossible. “My shift is only four hours, so I gotta work fast,” he says. But, while he is fast on his feet and focused, he always finds time to say hello to the customers.

Life is good for LaDonis right now, but it has not always been.

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CAMERON MURRAY

“I wasn’t doing anything before I came to Goodwill,” he explains.

“I got shot a few years ago and was in a wheelchair for a year.” He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but now LaDonis will tell you, he is in the right place. “I love Goodwill. I’m part of the Goodwill family.” And if you ask him about his boss, he will tell you she plays a huge role in his happiness at work. “Ms. Angeline has been real good to me. She’s the best manager I have ever worked for.” n

SCAN TO watch JAMIE’S interview

she stayed with family while she searched for work. She didn’t have much luck. “I was putting in job application after job application, but I wasn’t getting anywhere because of my age and my job history.”

That’s when Jamie visited one of our Career Solutions centers and took a few job training classes. She was eventually offered an opportunity at Goodwill and, after a 30-day assessment, she landed a full-time job. One month later, she moved into her very own apartment.

Things have continued to look up for Jamie. In 2009, she remarried. And then in April 2012, Jamie celebrated her five-year anniversary at Goodwill. That accomplishment has meant more to Jamie than just about anything.

“This is the first time I’ve ever kept a job for five years,” Jamie says. “At almost 50 years old, this is the first time I’ve stood on my own two feet and not depended on anyone but me. I’ve finally made it to adulthood.”

Jamie describes her life in Florida as “a rollercoaster ride,” but that all changed five years ago. “Without Goodwill, I wouldn’t be where I am today. They stood behind me and gave me a chance. I count my blessings every day.”

Jamie has had a few different jobs at Goodwill. She now inspects clothing in one of our warehouses in Nashville, and she is very happy.

“I really do look forward to coming to work every day,” she says.

“My co-workers are like a second family. I hope to retire here.” n giveit2goodwill.org

Goodwill Launches New Arts Campaign

Goodwill’s Marketing department has created an exciting new interactive advertising campaign that showcases Goodwill employees in a different light. Because of a unique opportunity to advertise to art lovers, it features several Goodwill artists. Photographed and filmed on the Goodwill campus, each ad includes a QR code that links cell phone users to whatyougiveme.com where they can watch our artists perform.

The ads just started running May 31 and will continue through the entire performing arts season in seven playbills including The TPAC Broadway Series, The Nashville Symphony and The Nashville Ballet. The artists will also be featured in the “Nashville Arts and Entertainment” magazine and “TPAC Center Stage” magazine. Now meet Goodwill’s artists:

You support the arts

whatyougiveme.com

we support the artist Robert

You might say Robert was born to be a singer. “My father was a pastor, and he and my mother traveled around and sang, and so did I.” Robert started singing gospel songs in church when he was just eight years old. Now, decades later, Robert is still singing, but it is not just at church. “When I’m at work, I sing to keep myself happy, and to keep myself motivated. My co-workers like it, but I don’t get carried away.”

Robert’s talents were recognized by others at Goodwill, and that gave him an even bigger platform. His greatest claim to fame is a commercial featuring a song he wrote, with a little help from his wife. “I came up with a tune that could be easily remembered. It’s a nice little jingle, I must say.” Since then, Robert has been recognized out in public. He has even been asked by a few strangers to sing. “I just smile and go on about my business.”

Robert hopes to one day reach even more people with his voice. “I would love to have a singing career. It’s a dream of mine to be an artist on stage.” In the meantime, Robert is happy just singing at work, and hearing the nice comments from his co-workers who support him each and every day. “Singing is something that is within me. It gives me joy, and I love to share it with others.” And Robert will tell you giveit2goodwill.org

SCAN TO watch our artists

he is just as passionate about Goodwill as he is singing. “Goodwill is a place that touches and changes lives. I love Goodwill, and I enjoy working here.”

Josh Josh knew at a very young age that music was in his soul.

“When I was little, I would sit at the table before dinner, and I would pretend the table was a piano.” After years of pounding away on the dinner table, Josh’s parents surprised him with his very own piano. “I was eight at the time, and I immediately asked my parents to sign me up for piano lessons.

I took lessons until I went off to college.”

Piano turned out to be just the beginning for this multi-talented musician.

In 7th grade, Josh signed up for a music class and decided to try out drums. “My brother had played the drums, and I thought it was really cool.” He and some other students in the class even formed a band. Josh went on to be the drum section leader in his high school band. By the time he graduated, he had taught himself how to play bass and guitar.

Josh’s love of music continued to grow, but when he was out of work, he had to pawn his instruments to get by. After 18 months

of unemployment, Josh finally landed a job at Goodwill in November 2010. Since then, he has been able to buy back some of his instruments. “Goodwill makes me very happy because they gave me a chance when no one else would.”

Celeste Unlike Robert and Josh, Celeste discovered her talent as an adult. Her journey at Goodwill began 16 years ago. “I was a single mother of four. I had just gotten a divorce, and I had never had a job in my life.” Two weeks later, Celeste was offered a job, and she has been here ever since.

Just months after starting at Goodwill, Celeste lost one of her sons. It was then she found a passion for poetry. “It was a way of expressing how I felt.” Her first poem, “Missing You,” reveals the heartache she felt after her son’s death. Celeste will tell you the majority of her poems come to her when she is sad. “Words come, I write them down, and I try to piece them together the way I feel they should go.”

Celeste finds comfort in her words, and comfort at work. “Goodwill has supported me in bad times and good times, and they are still supporting me.” n Ambassador Summer 2012 7

Career Solutions Our business is changing lives.

SM

2,390 People Served 14 Job Fairs, 118 Employers

How can you help nearly 2,500 people in their job searches Career Solutions Our business is changing lives.

SM

in just one week? Celebrate Goodwill Week with job fairs, classes and workshops, all free and open to the public.

During the week of May 7, Goodwill’s 19 Career Solutions centers across Middle and West Tennessee held 28 events, all geared toward helping people find work.

Huge Job Fair Monday in Nashville

37 Employers, 916 Job Seekers

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oodwill Week kicked off with a huge job fair, featuring 37 employers including Gaylord, Metro Police Department and FedEx. The four-hour event, held at our main Career Solutions center in Nashville, got underway at 10 a.m., but people started arriving as early as 8 a.m.—by 10 a.m., hundreds had shown up.

Robert Drain arrived early and came prepared. He had résumés in hand and was dressed for success. “In my day, you always dressed your best when you were job hunting,” he said. Drain has been unemployed since February 2011. He tried to find a job on his own for a year, and then he stopped by the Career Solutions center on Herman Street for help. “My career counselor has helped

8 Ambassador Summer 2012

me with my résumé, interview skills and job leads. She’s also the one that told me about today’s job fair.”

To look at Drain’s résumé, you would never think he would be in the market for a job. Drain has a master’s degree in education and his job history is impressive. He was a physical education teacher for more than 20 years. Drain then owned his own construction company and spent most of his time fixing up houses for flippers. “I thought the best thing I was doing for my future was opening my own business,” said Drain.

But when the economy took a hit a few years ago, so did Drain’s business, so he moved to Atlanta where he worked at a medical professional school helping kids with external placement. In November 2009, Drain landed a position with the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA). For 15 months, he served as a rehab supervisor.

“It was a very rewarding job. We did repairs to homes of people 55 and older and people who had disabilities,” Drain explained. Unfortunately, the grant that paid for the MDHA program was diverted to the May flood of 2010. “When the grant was cut, I lost my job.”

So why would someone with this much experience be struggling to find work? Accord-

Robert Drain meets with an employer ing to Drain, “the jobs are just not there, and my age is against me.” The 62-year-old is hoping someone will overlook his age, and instead look at his experience. And, when Drain does find a job, he has no plans to retire anytime soon. “I will work as long as I am able, and I’m willing to do anything, even relocate.” Drain and 915 others made their rounds and talked with several employers.

Two weeks after the job fair, dozens of people had gone on to interview with one of the employers they met with that day.

As for Drain, he is still waiting. “I’m scared. I’m really scared.” giveit2goodwill.org

2nd job fair Wednesday in Nashville

22 Employers, 451 Job Seekers

photos by jamie berry & suzanne lynch

T

he main Career Solutions center in Nashville hosted a second job fair on Wednesday, May 9, geared toward the health care industry. Twenty-two employers including Centennial Adult Day, CareAll and UnitedHealthcare, met with job seekers.

When the four-hour event ended, 451 job seekers had come through the doors.

“Our health care job fair exceeded all of my expectations,” said Debbie Grant, Employment and Training Development Director for Goodwill. We are hopeful the number of people who land a job, will be just as impressive as the turnout.

Hopeful job seekers get career advice

COMMUNITY cOOKOUT New Providence Community Policing Center, Clarksville

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t was a unique event at a unique location but, first, you need a little background.

The federal government approached the Clarksville Police Department last year with an idea and grant money. They wanted the department to open a community center in the neighborhood with the highest crime rate.

After running the numbers, police found the biggest need in the New Providence community. The department decided to transform an old gas station, and in January, the New Providence Community Policing Center opened its doors. The Clarksville Police Department invited Goodwill to be a partner.

Goodwill agreed, and in March, Lisa Baggett came on board as the employment case manager at that location.

Baggett spends her days assisting those who are looking for work. “We help community members with résumé writing, interview skills, and job placement,” she explains. “We provide a safe place for them to learn, grow, and become successful.” But many in the community were apprehensive

giveit2goodwill.org

250 Community Members

to stop in for help. In March only 19 people came through the doors, but in April, the number increased to 48.

Goodwill Career Solutions and Clarksville Police decided to kick-off Goodwill Week on Monday with a community cookout. Police were serving up hamburgers and hot dogs, and the people in the neighborhood just kept showing up. During the two-hour cookout, 250 people stopped by.

Then on Friday, Baggett hosted a job fair at the center. Six employers, including Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, Army Career Alumni Program (ACAP), and Bethel University, were on hand to meet with job seekers. Eighty job seekers showed up.

“We are so excited that more and more people are starting to see the different services we offer and the impact we can make in this community,” said Baggett.

In May, more than 120 people visited the center—more than double the previous month.

“The cookout helped us emphasize the

fact that the New Providence Community Policing Center is more about the community than the police,” said Steve Warren, Clarksville Police Lieutenant. n

Officer Roger Carroll on the grill Ambassador Summer 2012 9

Gallatin Spring Hill

Lawrenceburg Antioch Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee is once again being recognized for its commitment to helping those who struggle to find a job. For the 11th consecutive time, Goodwill has been awarded a Three-Year Accreditation for the work done at the 19 Career Solutions centers in Middle and West Tennessee. This accreditation, by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), is the highest level of accreditation awarded to a rehabilitation organization.

Organizations that receive a Three-Year Accreditation have gone through a rigorous peer review process. A team of surveyors visit each site to determine its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality. By achieving accreditation in all 19 Career Solutions centers, Goodwill has demonstrated its commitment to pursuing excellence.

For more information about CARF, visit www.carf.org.

10 Ambassador Summer 2012

7 Job Fairs, 32 Employers & 497 Job Seekers

PHOTOS BY JAMIE BERRY & NIKETA HAILEY-HILL

FranklinMadison

I

n April, before Goodwill Week, six Goodwill Career Solutions centers across Middle Tennessee hosted seven job fairs. At those job fairs, Goodwill assisted 497 people in their search for work.

The first job fair took place at the Goodwill Career Solutions center in Franklin on April 12.

Twelve employers, including Kroger, TRG Call Center and Wild Wings, were set up and ready to talk with job seekers when the fair was underway at 10 a.m. By the looks of the crowd, you would have never known Williamson County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state. In just four hours, 138 people had come through the door. Many were interviewed by at least one employer, and 60 left that day with a prospect: paid training at TRG Call Center.

On April 18, the Career Solutions center in Spring Hill hosted a job fair that featured eight employers. Five people were hired on the spot.

Then, on Tuesday, April 24, the Career Solutions center in Lawrenceburg hosted a job fair. At the time, Lawrence County had an unemployment rate of 11.5 percent, and was one of only 10 counties in the state where the unemployment rate had increased. During the four-hour job fair, 168 people showed up looking for work. Nine employers including Randstad, CJ Industries and Burke’s Outlet were there, and many were doing interviews.

Since then, at least 10 people who attended that job fair have been hired by one of the companies they interviewed with at the job fair. Dozens more are still going through the interview process.

Other job fairs in April were held in Gallatin, Madison and Antioch. A second job fair was also held at the Career Solutions center in Franklin. n giveit2goodwill.org

$236,000

Another Grant from Microsoft

giveit2goodwill.org

suzanne lynch

I

n this day and age, if you are searching for a job, computer skills are a must. If you want to keep a job, you will likely need some computer skills. That is where Goodwill Career Solutions can help. The 19 Career Solutions centers across Middle and West Tennessee provide free assistance and training to those who are looking for work. Thanks to Microsoft, Goodwill is able to provide even more help to job seekers.

For a second year in a row, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has been awarded a $236,000 grant from Microsoft. The money has been used to fund Project Digital Literacy – a series of classes that teach computer basics, résumé writing, and online job search. We first rolled out the program in April 2011.

Since then, more than 8,000 people have successfully finished the course. Rhonda McComb is one of them. “I had been unemployed since December 2011, and I needed a job,” said McComb.

Over the next two months, McComb applied for more than 20 jobs. She even made it to a second interview at UniFirst, but in the end, they chose someone else. “I thought the interviews went well, but I was asked if I knew Excel, and I told them I did not.”

In March 2012, McComb was on her way to an unemployment office when she saw a sign outside the Goodwill Career Solutions center in Cookeville. “It said ‘Need a job? We can help.’ So I walked on in.” McComb met with Career Counselor Jane Byers to find out what she needed to do. “My computer skills were decent, but I had never touched Excel and needed the basics.” Byers enrolled McComb in the digital literacy program.

Just days after completing the digital literacy classes, McComb got a call from UniFirst.

“The woman they had hired wasn’t working out, and when I told him I had taken a class and learned Excel, he stopped me there and told me I was hired.” On April 2, McComb started her new job as Customer Service Representative, thanks to her new skills. “The digital literacy class is what ultimately got me the job. I do a lot of work in Excel,” she said.

When asked about McComb, Byers couldn’t say enough great things. “You couldn’t help but like Rhonda. She is probably the most upbeat person I have met in years.”

Rhonda McComb, happy at work at UniFirst in Cookeville Byers and McComb have stayed in touch.

“We had a position open here at UniFirst, so I called Jane to tell her about it.” You could say it was McComb’s way of paying it forward. She hopes to one day help others who are struggling with more than just unemployment.

“I was going to school to be a drug and alcohol counselor, and I hope to finish that up soon. I just want to help people. If I can help someone down on their luck, I will be happy,” she says. Until then, she plans to continue to contact Byers whenever she hears of a job opening. “I love Goodwill. I love what they do. I think it’s phenomenal.”

As for the digital literacy class, McComb says she would recommend it to anyone with limited computer skills. “There were people in my class who didn’t even know how to turn on a computer or surf the internet.” Just like McComb, they left with the computer skills needed to land a job, or apply for one online.

“Digital literacy in today’s job market is essential,” said Matt Gloster, Sr. Director of Career Solutions. “To get a job sacking groceries, you have to apply online.”

More than 300 nonprofits applied for the grant known as Microsoft Unlimited Potential.

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee was one of only 12 nonprofit organizations to be awarded a portion of the $5 million grant. “Microsoft is a true partner of Goodwill’s mission to help changes lives,” said Gloster. n

8

UP_Poster_c08.indd 1

Proudly s

On May 19, The Tennessean had 32 job postings, in print. That same day, the website, Career Builder, had 11,326.

Ambassador Summer 2012 11

Goodwill has been a recycling leader for decades. Think about it, every single item you donate is one less item thrown away. Whether it is your shirt or sunlight, Goodwill is committed to making the most of any resource available.

In mid-April, solar panels were installed on the roofs of two of our corporate buildings in Nashville. Each building has 832 panels. At 1015 Herman Street, those panels will generate 46 percent of the electricity used at that building. At 1000 Herman Steet, the number is much higher at 78 percent. These panels will be of benefit to our Goodwill for at least 25 years.

Goodwill is grateful to LightWave Solar for completing an excellent design and installation for the systems, TVA for its Generation Partners program which enables us to earn a premium for the electricity generated, and NES for their inspection and connection of the systems.

Solar &Saving

At 1015 Herman Street, those panels will generate 46 percent of the electricity used at that building. At 1000 Herman Street, the number is much higher at 78 percent.

In late 2011, Energy Source Partners installed solar panels on the roof of the Berry Road store and facility in Nashville.

Those panels generate more than a third of the electricity used at that location.

The heart of Goodwill is a sustainable business. By recycling donated, used clothing and household goods, Goodwill extends the life of those goods while opening doors of opportunity for the people it is privileged to assist in their job search.

Capturing and using the wonderful energy of the sun is yet another step in the road to becoming a more environmentally responsible company. n

jamie berry

OTHER GOODWILL GREEN EFFORTS

• Goodwill recycles several items including electronics, metals, cords, wires and cables, cell phones, corrugated cardboard, paper, ink jet cartridges, used batteries and fluorescent bulbs.

• In June, Goodwill started an internal campaign to collect used cell phones, chargers and accessories. The campaign will expand to stores this summer.

As part of Goodwill’s ongoing conservation efforts, we have decided to cut back on the number of publications we print. Our goal is to cut the number of copies of Ambassador by 10,000 a year. That’s about 1,600 pounds of paper. We are encouraging our readers to view Ambassador online at giveit2goodwill.org. Just click on the News and Events tab. If you would like to continue receiving a copy of Ambassador by mail, please visit giveit2goodwill.org/ambassador.

12 Ambassador Summer 2012

• Goodwill’s salvage department had a record high sales year of $3.7 million in 2011.

• 25 million pounds of salvage and recyclable material were diverted from the landfill.

• 24,677 trees were saved by reprocessing recyclable materials.

• The newest corporate building, located at 937 Herman Street, features several energy efficient touches including geothermal heating and air conditioning, low volatile organic paint and carpet, and energy efficient windows and lighting.

giveit2goodwill.org

Board of Directors OFFICERS Chairman Robert McNeilly, III President and CEO SunTrust Bank Vice Chairman Donna B. Yurdin Owner Credo Management Consulting Secretary Christopher S. Dunn Attorney Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

Treasurer Philip G. Hull Senior Consultant VACO Resources Legal Counsel Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP Attorneys

David B. Lifsey President and CEO Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Tammy B. Glass Vice President – Finance Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Betty J. Johnson Vice President - Employment and Training Services Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. DIRECTORS Woodretta Allen Cost Containment Manager United Parcel Service J. B. Baker Chairman Volunteer Express, Inc. Caroline G. Blackwell Executive Director Metro Human Relations Commission Barry A. Callender Vice President, Client Solutions Global Novations E. Steele Clayton, IV Partner Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC giveit2goodwill.org

David L. Condra Chairman Dalcon Enterprises Gary W. Cordell State of Tennessee Director of Consumer Affairs Andrew Davidson Account Executive Frank E. Neal & Co., Inc. Robert W. Duthie Founder Duthie Learning Dave M. Fentress Vice President – Internal Audit Dollar General Corporation, Inc. James B. Foley Associate CB Richard Ellis Elizabeth H. Foss General Counsel Southeast Financial Credit Union Kathryn S. Gibson Sr. Accounting Manager Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Finance John C. Greer Vice President TennComm, LLC Chad M. Grout Principal Broker Urban Grout Commercial Real Estate Jeffrey A. Hoffman Richelieu America, Ltd. Decosta E. Jenkins President and CEO Nashville Electric Service R. Craig Laine Senior Vice President CB Richard Ellis Ryan R. Loyd Director, Financial Reporting IASIS Healthcare Kevin P. McDermott Partner KPMG LLP Jenny W. Newman Director of Development Nashville State Community College Foundation

Ty H. Osman President Solomon Builders Christine E. Skold VP – Investor Relations Strategy/Continuous Improvement Tractor Supply Company Todd A. Spaanstra CPA/Partner Crowe Horwath, LLP John W. Stone, III Partner White & Reasor, PLC Kathryn I. Thompson Founder/Director of Research Thompson Research Group John C. Tishler Chairman Waller Lansden, Dortch & Davis, LLP John Van Mol Chairman and CEO DVL Public Relations and Advertising Julie F. Wilson Sr. VP, Asset Management Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. YOUNG LEADERS COUNCIL INTERNS Ashley Harrison Assistant Vice President Wells Fargo Bank Bryan L. Bean Vice President, Commercial Banking SunTrust Bank TRUSTEES Fred T. McLaughlin, Trustee Chair, Branch Manager, Sr. VP Investments Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.

A Sign

for the Times

As a full-service print company, SignSolutions prides itself on top-notch customer service, quality products and competitive pricing – all while offering a solution that best markets your product or service.

SignSolutions, a division of Goodwill, is an integral part of providing employment and training opportunities for Tennesseans who need help looking for, finding and keeping a job.

For more information: 615.346.1205 jeff.carter@givegw.org goodwillsignsolutions.com

Robert B. Kennedy Account Executive The Crichton Group James L. Knight President (Retired) Check Printers, Inc.

Ambassador Summer 2012 13

NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Nashville, TN Permit No. 2009

1015 Herman Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37208

didyou know?

On any given day, there are 1.5 million items in our stores.

1,136

There are employers actively hiring Goodwill clients.

There are 19 Goodwill Career

Digital Literacy and Forklift Certification are the most successful Career Solutions programs.

Solutions Centers.

In 2011, we served 13,160 clients at our Our territory includes On average, donors Career Solutions Centers, 46 counties in Middle drop off items at our Donation and 3,022 landed a job and West Tennessee.

Express Centers each day. last year.

The average number of There are 68 Donation Express Centers in 22 counties. retail transactions is more Seventy-seven percent of those clients who got jobs than 10,000 each day.

3,722

were placed in employment outside of Goodwill.

In January, February and March of 2012, we had record breaking sales on onlinegoodwill.

Clothing is our biggest seller.

1%

of the donated items are sold online.

Out of the 165 Goodwills worldwide, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has the 8th highest retail sales.

We have 30 Goodwill stores in 17 counties.

The average cost of an item of clothing is $3.30.

We had a record day of sales on half-priced Saturday in March, when more than

31,000

people went through our checkouts.

Ninety percent of our employees are missionrelated.