www.goodwill-suncoast.org
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.
Summer 2011
Goodwill Transforms a Building and Lives Public officials and members of the community attended an open house at Goodwill's newly renovated Largo Residential Re-entry Center (LRRC) on July 15. The center serves nonviolent offenders transitioning from Florida correctional facilities, preparing them to successfully rejoin society. Participants live at the center for three months to two years. During that time, they obtain jobs in the community and attend counseling, life skills and GED classes. They also volunteer for community organizations. Once employed, residents pay taxes, fines, restitution and child support and start saving for after their release. The center recently underwent extensive renovations, including the addition of a new building for an employment center and classroom. Visitors at the open house were able to explore the entire complex, from the state-of-the-art control room to a vegetable garden maintained by program participants. Staff members were on hand to explain the center’s many “green” features, including motion activated lighting and water faucets, a recycling program, a hydroponic gardening system, and an irrigation system featuring four 1,000-gallon rainwater collection cisterns. The Largo facility is the largest male work-release center contracted by the Florida Department of Corrections. Goodwill also operates work-release centers in St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Making the Grade
Dr. Latoya Lane, director of re-entry for the Florida Department of Corrections (right), learns about employment services offered at Goodwill's Largo Residential Re-entry Center. Also pictured (from the left) are Goodwill Chief Operating Officer Debbie Passerini and Employment Specialists Dee Vickers and Sandra Bowles.
When Marianne Yarson arrived at Goodwill’s St. Petersburg workrelease center, she had an eighth grade education, yet she dreamed of going to college and studying veterinary medicine. Now, thanks to the GED preparation program at Goodwill’s St. Petersburg and Largo work-release centers, Marianne has the credentials to pursue her dream. She passed the GED in May. More than two dozen men and women finishing prison sentences at Goodwill work-release programs earned their GED during the past year, and others are working toward that goal. Attendance at GED preparation classes is required for program participants who have not completed high school. “One thing we push very hard is that they obtain their GED,” says Goodwill Director of Community Corrections Paul Norris. “When they graduate from our program they can choose to be law-abiding citizens or go back to what got them here. Having a GED significantly increases their chances for success.” .
Renovations were completed in June on the building that now houses the LRRC classroom and employment center.
Diggin’ Downtown Tampa
Students prepare for the GED exam during a class at Goodwill’s Largo Residential Re-entry Center.
A crew from Goodwill’s Hillsborough County Residential Re-entry Center beautifies Tampa’s Ashley Street in June. The six Goodwill volunteers greened up the area with 1,000 plants in one day as part of the Adopt-aMedian project. Participants in Goodwill-Suncoast corrections programs volunteered 4,759 hours for community organizations last year.
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Page 2
Opportunities
Summer 2011
No Idle Hands Here Dear Friends,
R. Lee Waits President and CEO Charlie Robinson, Jr. Board Chair Martin W. Gladysz Chair Emeritus Members of the Board Lee Bell, CPA Joshua Beyer Mark W. Brown Heather Ceresoli, CPA Renee H. Dabbs Steven M. Erickson Tom Falone, IV Malinda S. Fusco Mark E. Gauthier Oscar J. Horton Karl Koch Louise R. Lopez Richard E. Ludwig John Maceovsky, CPA John McCaugherty David E. Murphy Carole Philipson Ed Rader Charlie Robinson, Jr. Timothy Salzsieder Loreen M. Spencer Robert G. Stern, Esq. Bob Wabbersen Rep. Will Weatherford John H. Whitcomb
Our Mission: To help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. Opportunities is a quarterly publication for friends and employees of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Michael Ann Harvey Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations (727) 523-1512, ext. 1010 michael.harvey@ goodwill-suncoast.com
Chris Ward, Editor (727) 523-1512, ext. 1011
chris.ward@goodwill-suncoast.com
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact the editor. Visit our website at www.goodwill-suncoast.org Call toll-free: (888) 279-1988 TTY: (727) 579-1068
If you read the cover story, you can see that Goodwill is proud of our state-of-the art community corrections programs. Like all three of our residential work-release programs, the Largo Residential Re-entry Center prepares offenders to become productive members of society. Men and women leave these programs with jobs and average savings of $1,300. They have volunteered in the community and participated in counseling and life skills classes. Those without high school diplomas have been given the opportunity to earn their GEDs. Our corrections programs are the Goodwill mission in action: Helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.
Sincerely,
R. Lee Waits President and Chief Executive Officer
The Gold Standard Goodwill-Suncoast’s programs for people with disabilities recently earned a three-year accreditation from CARF International. CARF accreditation is the gold standard, representing the highest endorsement that can be awarded to agencies providing community integration and employment services for people with disabilities. In addition to noting the overall excellence of Goodwill-Suncoast’s services, surveyors singled out two areas for “exemplary” ratings: Adult Day Training programs, offering people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn job skills and earn a paycheck; and the organization’s training Goodwill trainee Lucette Schamberger shows a CARF surveyor the work she does at programs for staff, volunteers and board members. Goodwill’s Pinellas Park donation center. Site
Volunteers Have a Big IMPACT on Goodwill In June, Deloitte employees participated in IMPACT Day, the company’s annual celebration of its long-term commitment to community involvement. Twenty-three Deloitte employees began their day of volunteerism with a tour of Goodwill’s St. Petersburg headquarters before deploying to different locales. Some Deloitte volunteers traveled to Goodwill’s Pinellas Park Adult Day Training Center (top photo), while others sorted books (bottom photo) or read to preschoolers for our BookWorks program. Thank you, Deloitte!
Supervisor Cyndi Adams (right) looks on.
In Memoriam Dennis Couts passed away June 2. Dennis was a longtime participant in Goodwill’s St. Petersburg Adult Day Training program. During the 29 years Dennis was with Goodwill, he maintained a quick wit while challenging himself to complete work activities despite his disabilities. He will be sadly missed by all. Lawrence Kirven passed away June 14. Lawrence was a Processing Associate for the Wesley Chapel superstore and had worked for Goodwill since May 2010. Lawrence was a classic car buff who played a trumpet in a polka band for more than 40 years. He is missed by all who knew him. Greg Vach passed away May 25. Greg trained at both the St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park Adult Day Training programs. He worked as a truck helper, housekeeper and clothing sorter. Greg loved attending church, music, bowling and being with friends. His family and friends, both inside Goodwill and out, will miss him.
Mission Accomplished!
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.
This philosophy is reflected in all our services, from training programs that allow people with disabilities to learn job skills and earn paychecks, to employment services that assist people who lost jobs or need extra help to start a career. Your continuing support enables Goodwill to offer “a hand up, not a handout” to people in need. By donating items you no longer need, making financial gifts or shopping in our stores, you play a vital role in helping people achieve successful futures.
This year, 49 Goodwill employees completed the company’s CORE Management Training Program and were treated to a luncheon and graduation ceremony. The program – an investment in the professional growth and development of the managers and supervisors of Goodwill – is comprised of group and online classes unique to GoodwillSuncoast. Here Human Resource’s Yvonne Daniels and CORE Instructor Richard Gilberg honor Penny Silvestry, assistant sales manager at Goodwill’s Gandy Boulevard store, with a certificate of completion.
Job Fair Draws Crowds Hundreds of job seekers wait to meet with hiring managers at the Goodwill Job Fair in St. Petersburg July 12. For a list of available positions in retail, community corrections, human services and other departments, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org, or call the Goodwill Job Line at 727-523-1512, ext. 5506.
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc.
Opportunities
Volunteers Are Priceless Goodwill believes volunteers are works of art! To celebrate, we held our annual volunteer recognition luncheon in April at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Guests were treated to a delicious buffet meal while an interpretive artist, Alfredo Llana, painted his impressions of the event. And the winners are… Volunteer of the Year award goes to Jill Besch, a treasure to Goodwill and to the hundreds of kids she reads to each year. Jill began volunteering for Goodwill’s BookWorks preschool literacy program in 2005. When she first began reading for BookWorks, Jill was an active real estate agent in Apollo Beach. Even with her busy schedule, she faithfully read once a week to preschoolers at Ruskin Head Start. After Jill retired from real estate in 2009, she started reading at two Redlands Christian Migrant Association Head Start centers, in addition to the Ruskin Head Start. Jill is passionate about BookWorks and loves to share stories with everyone she meets. “I love books and I love reading and I want other people and other children to know how much enjoyment they can get from reading,” she said. For her tireless work, Jill was named Goodwill Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations, Jill, and thank you! Volunteer of the Year Jill Besch captivates preschoolers with a picture book.
Volunteer Group of the Year award goes to the Kiwanis Club of the Brooksville Ridge. The club heard of Goodwill’s BookWorks program from a member of another club. Recognizing what a great program it is, the Brooksville Ridge members jumped in to volunteer. Since 2009, the club’s members have consistently read in preschools serving children from low-income families. Each week after their morning meeting, volunteers read to preschoolers and then present a book to each child.
Artist Alfredo Llana puts the finishing touches on his interpretive piece “Goodwill.”
The group’s devotion to children and reading earned them Goodwill’s Volunteer Group of the Year award. Thank you, Kiwanis Club of the Brooksville Ridge! For more information about BookWorks, contact Jinnie Kerdi at 727-523-1512, ext. 1013.
Summer 2011 Page 3
GoodStuff ... FC Tampa Bay Donation Drive Soccer it to us! Donate to Goodwill during August and receive a coupon for a free ticket to FC Tampa Bay pro soccer games in August and September with a paid admission.
So Much Fun, It's Scary Save the date and expect the unexpected! On Oct. 21, GoodwillSuncoast will honor its heroes and put on a killer fashion show just in time for Halloween! The evening event of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music will be held at Clearwater’s Kapok Pavilion. Stay tuned to learn how you can attend Goodwill’s most important fundraiser.
Kerdi Earns Kudos!
Hillsborough County Public Schools Head Start presented its 2011 Community Volunteer of the Year Award to Goodwill’s own Jinnie Kerdi. Jinnie, who coordinates Goodwill’s BookWorks preschool literacy program, was honored for bringing the BookWorks program and its dedicated volunteers to Head Start centers. Congratulations, Jinnie!
Kiwanis Club of the Brooksville Ridge, Volunteer Group of the Year, has 16 members committed to BookWorks!
Making Happy Homes
Jayne Webber Housing Manager Freedom Village I Jayne Webber is a natural-born people person. She likes to meet and mentor, and she does so with an outgoing, friendly personality. Jayne is the housing manager for Freedom Village I in Pinellas Park. Her job is to manage 89 affordable apartment homes for people who are elderly or disabled. As housing manager, she is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the building and the safety of the residents. “I enjoy helping each resident achieve whatever goals they may have set,” she says. “I try to focus on their abilities rather than their disability.” Jayne graduated from Lyndon State College in Vermont, then taught physical education and pre-K in her home state of Massachusetts. She also worked part-time at a government-subsidized apartment complex. Later, Jayne came to Florida and began her Goodwill career in 2002. After nearly 10 years as housing manager, she says: “I have found that people appreciate what you do to help them live independently and love that you have provided them an affordable home.” Jayne has two grown children who live out-of-state, and a Bichon Frise named Fuzzy that lives with her in Pinellas Park. Goodwill-Suncoast operates five affordable apartment buildings – in Pinellas Park, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Tampa and Ocala.
Luau Days Kayak Winner And the winner is… Mr. Howard Hawthorne of St. Petersburg, who entered the drawing at Central Plaza Superstore in St. Pete! The lucky winner’s name was drawn from more than 1,500 entries throughout our region, from Tampa Bay to Ocala.
Art Class at Adult Day Training Adding a dash of color! In July, eight participants in Goodwill's Adult Day Training center at our Gandy headquarters learned to mix primary colors, dabble in acrylics and let their creativity shine! Each participant painted three canvases, including one inspired by 1950's pop music. We're proud of their works of art!
10596 Gandy Blvd. St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Non-Profit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Permit #5008
Change Service Requested
Opportunities
Summer 2011
St. Pete, FL 337
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Hundreds of Happy Brides Say “Thank you, Goodwill!” Goodwill’s fifth annual designer wedding gown sales were held in June at the Oldsmar and Ocala Goodwill Superstores, bringing both smiles and happy tears to hundreds of brides, their fiancés and families. Smart brides-to-be snapped up incredible deals on 330 new wedding gowns worth as much as $5,800 each. Donated by local bridal boutiques, gowns still carried their original price tags and designer labels. Women who had searched the pages of many a bridal magazine quickly recognized the coveted labels – Justin Alexander,
Demetrios, Alfred Angelo and Priscilla’s of Boston – but were shocked and delighted by Goodwill’s prices, which ranged from $90 to a high of $450. “I can’t believe these prices,” said Melissa McNeal of Tampa, who found her dream wedding gown at the Ocala event. “This is just incredible. Thank you for doing this, Goodwill!” The sales events were fundraisers for Goodwill-Suncoast’s training programs for people who have developmental disabilities.
By dawn June 11, more than 400 excited brides had extended the line around the Ocala Goodwill store, all waiting for the doors to open at 6 a.m.
Lonely groom-to-be Ben Cock of Tampa gallantly holds down the first spot in line at Ocala’s Goodwill Superstore on June 10. He staked out a tent early in the day for fiancée Melissa McNeal and his future mom-in-law, also from Tampa, who joined him that evening.
Ocala Employee is Eagle Scout Candidate
Goodwill Attended Donation Centers Donations also gratefully accepted at Goodwill stores TEMPLE TERRACE NEW ! Gas Kwik/ Marathon station 7105 Temple Terrace Hwy.
Hillsborough County APOLLO BEACH MiraBay Village, Sweetbay U.S. 41 & Leisey Rd.
Pinellas County CLEARWATER 2250 Gulf to Bay Blvd. (Accepts furniture)
BRANDON Bloomingdale Wal-Mart 949 E. Bloomingdale Oak Park Plaza 745 Lumsden
Tri-City Plaza East Bay Dr. and U.S. 19 N.
NEW !
CARROLLWOOD Hudson Ln. Shell Station 11302 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.
NEW !
Advance Auto 22991 U.S. 19 N. (Weekends only)
NEW !
LUTZ Lake Chapman Plaza 16301 N. Florida Ave.
LARGO Publix Plaza 12002 Indian Rocks Rd.
Van Dyke Shell station 5524 Van Dyke Rd.
Twedts Bowling Alley 13100 Seminole Blvd. (Accepts furniture)
NEW !
NORTHDALE 16010 Mapledale Blvd. Near Lifestyle Fitness Northdale Wal-Mart N. Dale Mabry at Bearss Ave. (Weekends only) RIVERVIEW Riverview Oaks Plaza 9624 U.S. 301 South Advance Auto Parts 13324 Boyette Rd. SEFFNER Parsons Village Plaza 710 W. Dr. MLK Blvd. TAMPA Carrollwood Square Corner Ehrlich Rd. and Lynn Turner Rd. Citrus Park BP 8606 Citrus Park Dr. Lowe’s 4210 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. U-Save 7701 W. Hillsborough Ave. Waters U-Save 7735 W. Waters Ave. Westchase Primrose School Linebaugh Ave. and Countryway (Weekends only) (Accepts furniture)
OLDSMAR S.R. 580 W. at Duane Ave. PALM HARBOR Bill’s SuperGas and Auto Service Center Corner Alt. 19 & Nebraska Ave. Brooker Creek Plaza, Publix East Lake Rd. at Ridgemoor Blvd. Curlew Crossing Shopping Center S.W. corner Curlew Rd. and U.S. 19 Eastlake Woodlands Plaza East Lake Rd. at Tampa Rd. PASADENA Sweetbay Plaza 6851 Gulfport Blvd. S. PINELLAS PARK 7601 Park Blvd. (Accepts furniture) ST. PETERSBURG Coquina Key Shopping Center 4250 6th St. South
Pasco County BAYONET POINT Point Plaza 12023 U.S. 19 at S.R. 52 HUDSON 9717 SR 52 at Parkwood St. LUTZ Willow Bend Chevron 22932 S. R. 54
NEW !
NEW PORT RICHEY Rowan Rd. at S.R. 54 ODESSA NEW ! Shell station S.R. 54 at Suncoast Pkwy. ZEPHYRHILLS Merchants Square Sweetbay 7333 Gall Blvd. Hernando County SPRING HILL Mariner Square 13050 Cortez Blvd. Advance Auto 14321 Spring Hill Dr. at Barclay Ave.
NEW !
Michael Jacobie works at Goodwill’s Adult Day Training Center in Ocala, where he has learned to do many things: operate the clothes baler, sort donations and just recently, learning to operate the cash register and practicing customer service skills. “I love working here,” Michael says. “I like everybody here.” But working at Goodwill is not all Michael does. Besides playing on a bowling league, he’s also an Eagle Scout candidate for Troop 331 in Ocala, a special needs troop with no age restrictions. To date, Michael has earned 36 merit badges. Pat Keenan, Michael’s scoutmaster, says that makes Michael eligible for Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program. Goodwill employee and Eagle Scout candidate Michael Michael’s latest Jacobie holds his certificate of participation from his latest scouting project, which helped raise money for a scouting project was fallen heroes monument. helping a local veterans organization raise money for a park monument. At Michael’s urging, his fellow scout members manned a help station, passed out water and had first aid available for runners during a fundraising 5K run.
Polk County LAKELAND Barclay Plaza 4945 U.S. Hwy. 98 N. Sunoco NEW ! 6915 S. Carter Rd. Bartow Joseph Town Center NEW ! 2405 E. F. Griffin Rd. Marion County BELLEVIEW Belleview Square 10751 Hwy. 441 OCALA Friendship Center 8449 S.W. Hwy. 200 Ocala Springs Sweetbay 7131 N. Hwy. 441
NEW !
Silver Springs Kmart 3711 E. Silver Springs Blvd. SUMMERFIELD Spruce Creek 17860 Hwy. 441
For donation hours, store locations or donation bin locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org Thank you for donating to Goodwill.
Connecting Sharing a puzzle on a rainy Friday in Ocala are Heritage Oaks residents (clockwise from top left) Carolyn Warren, Ruby Raulerson, Mary Marecek and Rita Hill. Goodwill-Suncoast operates five affordable apartment communities for seniors and people who have disabilities.