®
SPRING-SUMMER 2019
Now Open IN RIVERVIEW!
INSIDE: Adam Hansen Book Room Hiring for Amazon, at Goodwill
L E T T E R
F R O M
T H E
P R E S I D E N T
Creating Uplifting Experiences ®
President and CEO Deborah Passerini
“Strong people don’t put others down. They lift them up.”
Board Chair Heather Ceresoli Members of the Board Lee Bell Steve Bivens Heather Ceresoli Robert D. Dobkowski Christina Elam, CFP Steven M. Erickson Mark E. Gauthier Andrea D. Kiehl Louise R. Lopez John Maceovsky Dominic Macrone Melissa Mora, Esq. Carole F. Philipson Mark D. Pichowski Ed Rader Scott Rutz Bob Wabbersen Sandra Young President and CEO Emeritus R. Lee Waits Our Mission: To help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. GoodWorld News is a quarterly publication for friends and employees of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Jennifer Fleming, Editor 727-523-1512, ext. 1015 jennifer.fleming@goodwill-suncoast.com Visit our website at goodwill-suncoast.org Call toll-free: 888-279-1988 TTY: 727-579-1068 Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that provides services without regard to race, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status or disability. If you need accommodation or assistance in accessing any area of employment or program services, please let us know.
– Michael P. Watson, author
At Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, our business is providing people with the tools they need to lift themselves up and achieve their full potential. That’s why, during the past few months, we have expanded our services for people who may need assistance to enter the workforce or find employment. For example, through our new partnership with Amazon, Goodwill is assisting men and women with disabilities to obtain jobs at Amazon’s fulfillment center in Tampa. (See the story on page 11.) Meanwhile, Goodwill’s JET (Jobs, Education & Training) program has expanded to Crystal River, placing Citrus County teens with disabilities into paid internships at community businesses. Our Job Connection services are also reaching new people, as Goodwill now offers skill-builder workshops at our new store in Riverview. (See the story on page 2.) Your support allows us to do these things. Each time you donate to Goodwill or shop at one of our stores, you are helping people in your community. And creating new, uplifting experiences! Sincerely,
Deborah A. Passerini President and Chief Executive Officer
In Memoriam
Dennis Watson, a processing associate at our store in Oxford, passed away in January. Thanks to his warm personality and ready smile, Dennis was a favorite with people who dropped off donations at the store. He was a hard worker who could load a truck with lightning speed, yet he found time to make colleagues laugh. He was a father and grandfather who also took care of his parents. He will be greatly missed. David Butler, a dispatcher at our Tampa Distribution Center, passed away in March. He had been with Goodwill since 2016. David was a hard worker who also had a good sense of humor. He is remembered as someone who put the needs of others before himself.
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Our Winter Haven store has lost a beloved leader with the passing of Retail Sales Manager Sheryl Sarver in May. During her 14 years with Goodwill, Sheryl led by example and had a knack for bringing out the best in people. She was a caring person with a big heart who loved her customers, her team, and bingo.
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Our Newest Superstore is… The store includes our second Job Connection Center On a quiet Saturday morning on busy Big Bend Road in Riverview, shoppers formed a line around the exterior of our newest superstore, waiting patiently for the 9 a.m. opening. When the doors opened, those bargain-seeking shoppers were not disappointed! In fact, the grand opening was our most successful yet, with 2,362 shoppers over the grand opening weekend. The big, bright, freestanding store is located at 10739 Big Bend Road in Riverview in eastern Hillsborough County. Besides a huge array of great bargains, it houses the second location of our innovative Job Connection Center, a community based place where people can comfortably job search in a supportive environment, entirely free of charge. The Center offers career planning and exploration and assists job seekers to identify paths to their careers of interest. It also offers reading, math and financial literacy options as well as employability workshops such as resume development, computer classes and interview skills for those who need assistance, or who need to be connected to other agencies that can best serve them. Our original Job Connection Center is located in Pinellas County at the Goodwill superstore at 2550 34th St. N. in St. Petersburg. Besides being a bargain-hunter’s paradise, the new store offers a convenient drivethrough donation lane. This will give area residents a place to easily drop off items they no longer need, contributing to a greener community while supporting GoodwillSuncoast’s services to thousands of people in West Central Florida. For value shopper Felina Stanley of Gibsonton, the superstore is her new favorite. “Look at all the stuff I got!” she said, pointing to her loaded shopping cart. “I love the prices, there’s a ton of great stuff and I’m so glad we have a Goodwill that’s close now!”
See for yourself! Stop by and see us! E M P L O Y E E
P R O F I L E
Giving Moore
Meet Sylvia Moore, the manager of our newest superstore in Riverview. Sylvia is known for getting results, and the reason for her success may be her obvious love for her job. “I’m very passionate about Goodwill,” Sylvia says. “With every donation and every sale you’re helping people!” Sylvia began her career with Goodwill in 2016, managing our former store on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. She later moved to our Ruskin store before accepting her current position. The New Jersey native had years of retail experience prior to coming to Goodwill, with retailers such as Dress Barn and Uniform City.
Sylvia lives in St. Petersburg and has another passion besides Goodwill – rescue animals. She owns two dogs and five cats, and regularly cares for strays, even paying for their spaying or neutering out of her own pocket. Sylvia says she’s excited to bring Goodwill’s services to Riverview and she looks forward to helping locals via our second Job Connection Center located within the store. “I’m excited that we can help people right here in this community find jobs in a comfortable environment,” she says.
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GoodLilly’s
Reach the Beach
Donut You Love It?
New item $ 5.99
Donated item $ 1.98
Most Goodwill Superstores You can easily transform your home for summer with a selection of beach and tiki bar décor from Goodwill.
Spring Hill Superstore What's better than a donated donut mug? It’s sweet and unique!
Marvel-ous Collection Donated items $ 2.98 each Brandon Superstore
Got a comic book fanatic in your family? This Fantastic collection of Four like-new framed vintage mini-posters would make a great gift.
Just Add Dog Donated item $ 3.97
Wesley Chapel Superstore Carry your precious puppy cargo wherever you go in this adorable plaid tote.
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A collection of brand new and donated items found at Goodwill-Suncoast stores
Coastal Cloche Donated item $ 8.99
Sebring Superstore This Hallmark Cedar Cove centerpiece retails for about $30, but with a little luck you might find one at your local Goodwill.
Wine & Cheese, Anyone? Donated item $ 3.98
Trinity Superstore This big platter can serve lots of hors d’oeuvres or cheese and crackers at your next dinner party. Viola!
Hey Furby Donated item $ 3.98
St. Petersburg Gandy Superstore Goodwill has a variety of new and used toys, like this discontinued polka dot Furby Boom.
Send us your Goodwill finds!
If we feature them here or on our Upcycle page we’ll send you a $20 gift certificate to any Goodwill-Suncoast store. Post your photos on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ goodwillsuncoast) or e-mail them to gw.marketing@goodwill-suncoast.com. For Goodwill store locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.
A Heel of a Deal Donated item $ 8.96
Oldsmar Superstore These like-new peep-toe suede heels from Nine West are comfortable, chic and a great buy! All Goodwill stores have a large selection of shoes for the whole family.
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GoodStuff Youth Programs Expand Our two programs geared toward high school students with special needs continue to gain a foothold in the business community! Our JET Program (Job, Education & Training) offers the opportunity for high school students with disabilities to prepare for employment and obtain work experience through paid on-the-job training. The program is operated and managed by Goodwill-Suncoast in partnership with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Marion and Pinellas County schools and host sites. The host sites now participating have grown significantly, and now include Mojo’s Grill and Catering, Episcopal Children Services, City of Belleview and Burlington in Marion County, Crystal Harley-Davidson in Citrus County, and Automax, Tropical Smoothie and DTLR in Pinellas County.
Celebrating Employee Development! Goodwill-Suncoast is committed to the personal and professional growth of its employees, and that fact was celebrated in June at a special “Pathways to Lifelong Learning” employee development luncheon. The luncheon honored the 10th anniversary of the CORE Management Training Program, a program unique to GoodwillSuncoast consisting of 45 hours of classes that are an investment in the professional growth and development of future or current managers of Goodwill. We also celebrated employees who completed educational milestones through our free Career Navigation program and those who received their National Retail Federation customer service certification. Congrats to all!
Dinosaurs, Jousters & Sharks! It has been a big year (again) for GoodwillSuncoast and its community partners! In March, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival offered Goodwill donors discounted admission to the medieval festival. In May, Goodwill donors were given a coupon good for a free child’s ticket to Dinosaur World in Plant City with the purchase of an adult ticket. The coupons are redeemable through the end of July. In September, we look forward to once again partnering with the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. This very popular promotion offers discounted admission to see more than 20,000 sea creatures including sharks, sting rays, sea dragons, otters and more.
For more information on JET, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org/ jet-program
Project SEARCH is another innovative program that provides work experience to students with disabilities. Rather than attending classes on a high school campus, the enrolled students report to work. They are monitored and assisted by a Goodwill-Suncoast job coach, an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher from the school district and employees of the company where they are working. The goal of the program is to prepare students to eventually enter the workforce. After completing rotations on the job, the students receive employment placement services from Goodwill. Currently offered in Marion County, the program was piloted at the Hilton Ocala and is now also offered at Bridgewater Park Assisted Living facility. For more information about Project SEARCH, visit www.goodwillsuncoast.org/ project-search
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Help the Tampa Bay Research Institute! Just in time for Earth Day, Goodwill-Suncoast kicked off its partnership with the Tampa Bay Research Institute (TBRI), a local organization doing cutting-edge research to support healthy immune systems. Both Goodwill and TBRI have a goal of a cleaner, more sustainable, and ultimately healthier world. To that end, the nonprofit TBRI joined our Giving Makes Cents program, an innovative fundraising platform that pays nonprofit organizations for each pound of clothing or household items donated to Goodwill on their behalf. The money allows TBRI to further their research studies while helping Goodwill continue to create a cleaner, more sustainable community. Here’s how you can help: Simply drop off donations to Goodwill at the Goodwill bin located at TBRI’s facility at 11208 Blue Heron Blvd North St. Petersburg, or at the Goodwill donation drive-through at 10596 Gandy Blvd in St. Petersburg and tell the attendant the donation is in support of TBRI. The donations will be weighed and TBRI will be paid for the amount collected.
Shout out to Regions Bank for its generous donation of $5,000 for our workforce development programs! Left to right: Jim Williams, Goodwill; Lisa Keeney, Regions Bank; Kris Rawson, Goodwill; Stephen Ponzillo, Regions Bank; Sandra Young, Regions Bank.
Thank You Volunteers It has been a busy few months full of corporate and community volunteers, and for that we are very grateful!
The Giving is Easy! Why give to Goodwill-Suncoast? You are probably often asked to support many different organizations and you wonder “where can I truly make a difference?” Well, I would like to share with you a way you can quickly make an impact on the people we serve in our local communities – easily, securely and painlessly!
In May and June we were able to host more than 100 generous volunteers from Bank of America, Raymond James, the Pinellas County Urban League, Deloitte and Aon. The volunteers lent a helping hand in our BookWorks childhood literacy program, our Life Skills Development programs for adults with disabilities, and in our retail and warehouse facilities.
Goodwill on the Hill
Our new donation program allows you to “Round Up” purchases by registering your credit or debit card to automatically round up every transaction to the next dollar. This is a secure process, done through your banking institution, and Goodwill-Suncoast does not possess any of your card information. You will receive regular tax-deductible electronic receipts as well as updates on how your gifts are making an impact on the lives of those we serve. With a minimum of $10.00 monthly, you can set a maximum contribution that fits your budget. The average gift is $40.00 a month. Please go to www.goodwill-suncoast.org/give-online to register and help us make a difference in the lives of many. We assisted 3,042 men and women to break the chain of dependence last year. With your generosity, we can help even more! Please contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.
Jim Williams Toll free: 888-279-1988 Goodwill-Suncoast participated in Goodwill on the Hill Day in Washington, D.C. April 11 and Goodwill Day in the Florida Legislature March 19. Staff met with multiple elected officials or their staff at each event, presenting information about Goodwill’s services. While visiting legislators in Tallahassee they highlighted the fact that the nine Florida Goodwills were responsible for almost 20% of job placements in the state.
jim.williams@goodwill-suncoast.com A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state. Our registration number is ch15.
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h s a D e i p p i T he H was a
! H S A SM On May the 4th (Star Wars Day) the groove was with us! Our 4th annual Hippie Dash for Peace, Love & Goodwill brought more than 1,100 hippies (and a few Jedis) to downtown Gulfport for a super groovy time! Runners and walkers chose from an 8k, 5k, 1-mile Walk, Woof & Roll (dogs welcome) and a Flower Child Fun Run for the little hippies! Many of you – including dogs – came dressed in hippie costumes for a chance to win far-out prizes. While a DJ spun 1960s-era tunes all runners and walkers got a
. . . in fact it was a howling success!
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groovy medal, branded t-shirt, and an air-conditioned after party with free food and beer. Anyone who registers for the Hippie Dash can create their own team, and two teams – Run Tampa and Sunshine Soul Sisters – tied for the biggest team to win $200 in party munchies from Goodwill’s own Good to Go catering! The 8k and 5k are chip-timed events along certified courses, and super groovy award medals are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age group. In addition to the run and walk, we had more than 30 vintage VWs on display to add to the 1960s vibe! The Hippie Dash raises funds for Goodwill’s mission of putting local people back to work, and a post-race survey of runners showed that more than 95% would like to do the run again next year! Stay tuned for information about the 2020 Hippie Dash!
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Thank you to all those ran, walked, volunteered and sponsored! Peace, Love & goodwill
You’re outtasight!
May 4th May the Groove be with you!
Coppertail Brewing Co. • Humana • Ad Partners Advantica • Canteen • Taylor White • Carrier • BayCare • PDQ Arvil Hammons LLC • Caspers Company McDonald’s Restaurants FGX International • Gold Medal International Jan-Pro Cleaning Systems of Tampa • MAC Wholesale MALOUF • Regent Products • Suncoast Credit Union • Jim & Sue Williams
You helped support Goodwill’s programs and that’s far-out!
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Get a Job!
Goodwill’s Job Connection Center hosted a community job fair in honor of Goodwill Industries Week.
“There’s real positive energy here,” Nathanial said. “I’m hopeful!” While the Job Connection Center, located within the Goodwill superstore at 2550 34th St. N., has frequent job fairs and always offers free workshops to job-seekers, the event, held May 6 to May 9, was in honor of Goodwill Industries Week. Goodwill Industries Week was first celebrated in May 1951 as a way to encourage local Goodwill organizations to educate their communities about their mission of “helping people with disabilities help themselves.” Today, local, community-based Goodwill organizations across the U.S. and Canada offer an array of job fairs, job training and employment services which lead to promising careers.
Nathanial Thomas (pictured above) came prepared and optimistic to a community job fair hosted by Goodwill’s Job Connection Center in St. Petersburg. The four-day event featured different employers each day, along with free resume help and workshops for anyone interested.
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The employers onsite during the May event were wideranging, from Bluegreen Vacations to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections. In all, 137 job seekers attended the event, along with 17 employers. Another Goodwill Job Connection Center is up and running inside our newest superstore at 10739 Big Bend Road in Riverview.
Adam Hanson book room serves children in Sumter and Marion counties In a touching tribute to their deceased son, Stanley and Martha Hanson donated $25,000 to Goodwill’s BookWorks children’s literacy program. The couple lost their son Adam in a motorcycle accident in 2006 but his memory lives on through the “Adam Hanson Communities Fund,” which makes grants to deserving organizations, especially those serving children. In honor of their generous gift, the BookWorks book room at the Goodwill store in Oxford is now named for Adam Hanson. A plaque honoring Adam is also installed at the front of the store at 11954 CR 105, Oxford, across from The Villages Walmart. The dedication of the Adam Hanson Book Room took place in April. Mr. Hanson attended the dedication along with BookWorks volunteers and Goodwill board members. (Mrs. Hanson planned to attend but didn’t because she wasn’t feeling well that day.) “We do not have any grandchildren, so this fund provides Martha and me the opportunity to “adopt and help” grandchildren of others from our community,” said Stanley Hanson.
Goodwill’s BookWorks program promotes literacy by giving books to children from families with low incomes. Goodwill volunteers read to children at Head Start centers and other locations and then present each child with a personalized book to take home. The program is designed to spark a love of reading to help prepare children for success later in life. Last year BookWorks volunteers presented books to more than 41,000 children.
“This gift will allow for the purchase of thousands of books for children who may not have them. We’re honored to help carry on Adam’s legacy of helping children.” –Deborah Passerini, President of Goodwill-Suncoast.
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GoodWorks
simulation A pilot program helps give job seekers with disabilities a leg up on the competition
Brandon Alvarez (pictured on the left) is clearly excited as he navigates a cart through bins of cubby holes set up to mimic a work setting similar to Tampa’s Amazon Prime Now Hub. The cart, bins, shopping bags and scanner are all part of a simulated setting designed to provide insight and assist people with disabilities in the process to ultimately become employed by Amazon’s new two-hour delivery service. The simulated work center is housed in Goodwill’s Distribution Center in Tampa. The partnership between Goodwill and Amazon gives potential employees a leg up on Amazon’s work procedures, in hopes they will help fulfill the company’s Alternative Workforce Supplier Program (AWSP). Amazon’s new program actively seeks “nontraditional talent” and is building new job opportunities for people who have often had
a hard time gaining full-time or part-time employment. Locally, the Amazon Prime Now Hub in the Ybor City area of Tampa is partnering with Goodwill to hire more intentionally in this market, currently for part-time work earning $15 per hour.
“It will be my first job,” Brandon said. “I’m very excited. I’ve been trying to look for a job everywhere and I hope this is it!” Goodwill is supplying the simulated work area and mock interviews. When individuals are hired, a Goodwill job coach will work with them to troubleshoot any work-related issues. Amazon’s Dan Robin, who helps run the program, said in a release that AWSP associates at participating Amazon sites have shown better quality and above average attendance when compared to those from more traditional workforce programs. After taking part in the simulated work environment, Brandon was hired by Amazon. He will work up to 25 hours per week and have access to a Goodwill employment coach for as long as needed.