Sharing the Good - Fall Newsletter

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Why Goodwill 2019 Retail Activities Quarterly Celebration Upcoming Events Outstanding Achiever Introductions Developmental Disability Services Summer Fun

2019 Fall Newsletter

Sharing the

Featured In This Issue:

SECURING EMPLOYMENT CREATING INDEPENDENCE INSPIRING HOPE SUPPORTING PERSONAL GROWTH

Annual Platte River Charity Shoot Returns for the 26th Year!

After taking a year off, Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska and event partner, Hornady Manufacturing brought back the Platte River Charity Shoot for the twentysixth year. The event was on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Heartland Public Shooting Park, located west of Grand Island.

In addition to an individual shooter competition, the event had competitions for corporate and adult/youth teams. This year’s event had 135 individuals, 18 corporate teams and 31 adult/youth team entries.

Individuals competed for 8 places in 4 Lewis Class Divisions, with the first place prize being a Savage Axis .270 rifle. Youth shooters had a chance of winning one of eight college scholarships that were given away totaling $5,000 .

The Platte River Charity Shoot is The event steering committee began meeting and Goodwill Industries of Greater planning the Platte River Charity Shoot at the end Nebraska’s only fundraiser besides of April. They had a goal of raising $40,000 and the annual drive that kicks off in November. Funds raised at the surpassed that goal. event go to support mission programs and services provided by Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska.

“We couldn’t have done it without the amazing sponsors, shooters and volunteers - everywhere A complete list of winners from the shooter competition and you looked there were orange volunteer t-shirts. general event raffle can be viewed at: The community support for our event was simply www.PlatteRiverCharityShoot.com. amazing” said Lindsey Miles, Director of Marketing (Please see our event sponsors on page 4) and Development, who was the event coordinator.

Why Goodwill?

Because you help people like Sarah, Sam & Luis!

By Lindsey Miles

A long-standing challenge in our organization is to educate the public that Goodwill is so much more than a place to donate and shop. Often times when our employees tell their friends, family and acquaintances about what services Goodwill offers to individuals in the community they hear, I didn’t know that Goodwill did that…

Gaining Independence Sarah, a 25-year-old participant in our Behavioral Health Services, shared that she was diagnosed with high functioning autism at the age of four. Sarah was bullied in school growing up and as an adult she struggles with PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction and codependency. Sarah came to Goodwill in 2017, to receive day and community support services. Sarah joined support groups that Goodwill offered to help her overcome some of the obstacles in her life, gain confidence, build self-esteem and helped her on her recovery journey.

Sarah

While attending Goodwill, Sarah became a volunteer at the library and got her own apartment. This summer, Sarah completed Driver’s Ed, received a driver’s license and purchased a car. Sarah is looking forward to moving into a house this fall. She hopes to someday get certified and become a Peer Support Worker with Goodwill and pay it forward by helping others.

Recovering from Addiction Sam, battled drug & alcohol addiction. His family and neighbors called the police multiple times in one month. Sam made the decision to go through inpatient rehabitation. After completing program, Sam began working with a Goodwill Community Support Worker to help him transition back into society and help support him in his recovery journey.

Instead of going back to the environment that he left and risk relapse, Sam’s community support worker was able find him a different apartment and give him the fresh start he needed which helped him tremendously in maintaining sobriety.

Sam

Securing Employment

Luis Lisa, Luis and Daryln

After witnessing life tragedies and experiences from hurricane Marie in 2017, Luis found his way to Columbus, Nebraska. Luis greatly wanted to better himself and sought out Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation and Goodwill’s Employment and Career Services for help. Luis built a great partnership with Darlyn Ortez, Goodwill’s bilingual Employment Specialist. Luis described, “Due to my medical condition no one wanted to give me an opportunity. When I first met with Darlyn, she started asking me about what things I liked and helped me find something ideal for me.”

Darlyn identified Luis’ ability and talents in art, computers, and production work and had just heard about a need from a local screen-printing company. Darlyn connected Luis with the owner for an interview.

Lisa, owner of Specialtee Screen-printing, saw Luis’ potential and knew hiring him would be wonderful, as it would allow her more freedom to focus on the customer service side of her business. “Working with Goodwill Employment Services has been a great experience. Both employees that were sent have been a good fit and I enjoy having them here.” said Lisa.

Due to confidentiality, some names & photos above have been changed.

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Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, Inc., is dedicated to helping people with disabilities or barriers reach their goals and improve their quality of life.

SECURING EMPLOYMENT CREATING INDEPENDENCE INSPIRING HOPE SUPPORTING PERSONAL GROWTH

2019

retail activities: After

Spring & Summer

Quarterly Celebrations

Employee of the Quarter Spring Quarter:

Karmen Thompson Intake Coordinator - Columbus

Before

Summer Quarter:

Renae Keenan Payroll Administrator - Grand Island

By Lacey Bonner

In January 2019, the retail leadership team reached out for volunteers to pilot a new concept for our stores. Candice Triolo, Scottsbluff store manager, and her team, seeing the value, immediately raised their hands. With area manager Rita Jorgensen at the helm, the planning stage went quickly and smoothly.

With a “go-live” date of June 9th, 2019, there wasn’t a moment to spare. Supplies needed to be ordered, painting needed to be done, fixtures needed removed, floor plans needed adjusted, the plan to update the thrift store was in motion.

After several meetings between the store, area managers, transportation and many others, everyone had their assignments and was ready to go!

On June 9th, a team of 20 plus people met at the Scottsbluff store to work on the unbelievably large task of removing every single piece of clothing from the racks. EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. Household goods were quality checked and reorganized. They worked until late in the evening and early again on day two to get everything moved, cleaned and merchandised to more closely resemble a traditional retailer.

Since then the Columbus store has similarly followed suit and made their update in August. North Platte’s store receives it’s “updated store look” in October. By the end of 2020 the goal is to have all 8 retail stores looking fresh and new for our customers.

You may be asking, “Why go to all this planning and work?” The answer is pretty simple, we LOVE our customers. We are trying to give them the best possible experience when they visit our stores from the second they walk through the doors. We are offering wider aisles, more selection of higher quality items and a more relaxed and casual experience. But our experience doesn’t just stop with the store itself, we have a great team of people working in our stores to make every experience the best it can possibly be every time you visit.

Thank you to the Gary Thompson Agency for sponsoring ice cream treats!

Upcoming Events October:

National Disability Employment Awareness Month 17 Quarterly Celebration

November:

Annual Campaign Kicks off 15 Go Big Lexington (Lexington) 28 Thanksgiving (All locations closed)

December: 3 5 10 25

Giving Tuesday Give Where You Live (Kearney) Holiday Party Christmas (All locations closed) 3

SECURING EMPLOYMENT CREATING INDEPENDENCE INSPIRING HOPE SUPPORTING PERSONAL GROWTH

Outstanding Achiever When you first meet Rebecca at the North Platte Goodwill Store you notice her confidence and outgoing demeanor, but that wasn’t always the case.

By Lacey Bonner

six plus years. After minimal coaching from her Employment Specialist they found that this was where she was meant to be.

As a customer service associate she has taken her duties very seriously. And her hard work has paid off. In 2011, she was recognized as a Goodwill Hope Award winner for her determination and positive outlook. She has taken every task given and excelled.

Losing several close family members at a very young age and struggling with both physical and mental health issues, it would have been easy for her to give up and give in. Instead, her determination and strength kept her going. When she started working with the Goodwill team they wanted to know what she wanted to achieve and it gave her hope. The thought that someone believed in her was enough to keep her on this amazing journey.

In 2011 with the help of Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation in North Platte, Rebecca’s life took a turn for the better that even now eight years later she is still thankful for. When she first met with her Goodwill Employment Specialist she knew that they were a great fit right from the start. It was nice to have someone believe in her. Someone that would look at her strengths and her goals to find that perfect fit.

After a couple of tries, the perfect position became available at the Goodwill Store in North Platte. This position would turn out to be her mission for the next

Rebecca’s success is a true testament to what Goodwill is all about.

Overcoming obstacles and removing barriers to help her achieve her goals. Not just overcoming past obstacles, but learning how to cope and deal with the new ones.

Even after all she has overcome and accomplished, Rebecca is still not done setting goals for herself. She is currently working towards getting her driver’s license and becoming a full time employee. And there is no doubt with her determination and strength that she will accomplish all of this and more.

Thank you to our generous sponsors of our Platte River Charity Shoot: Event Partner

Event Sponsor

Scholarship Sponsor

Golf Cart Sponsor

Anonymous

Agricultural Services Bosselman Energy Gary’s Quality Automotive GIX Logistics Howard’s Jewelry Miles Lawn Service 4 Milestone Paint Co.

Rich and Sons RV Headquarters Schuster Anderson Wealth Advisors Stehlik Law Firm Swagger Bipods Weathercraft Roofing Westlawn Memorial Park

Bosselman Enterprises Dramco Tool Grand Island Balance & Mobility Kyle Sawyers - Farm Bureau Nebraska Truck Center Roe Buick Walmart - North (GI)

Aurora Coop Boop’s Shooters Supply Chesterman Coke-Cola Construction Rental Custom Rental Don’s Hobby Guns Nebraskaland Distributing The Grand Island Independent

SECURING EMPLOYMENT CREATING INDEPENDENCE INSPIRING HOPE SUPPORTING PERSONAL GROWTH

Angie Brunello,

Controller

Angie has been married for 27 years, has three children and one eight pound Yorkshire terrier. In her free time, you will find Angie on her yoga mat and spending time with her family. Family, friends, and the well-being of our community are of the utmost importance to Angie and she looks forward to being a part of the Goodwill community.

Tim Hessler,

Customer Service/Production Associate

Tim Hessler, a Nebraska native is a Customer Service/Production Associate in the Scottsbluff retail store. Tim grew up in western Nebraska and attended school in Morrill.

After school, Tim moved to Denver and lived there for 20 years, working mostly in the construction industry. Tim and his wife, Kim have been married ten years and moved back to the Scottsbluff area last December to help Tim’s dad. Dog lovers at heart, the Hessler’s have five dogs and one cat.

Tim started at the retail store in March 2019 and loves working at Goodwill . He plans on staying with Goodwill for a very long time.

Lindsey Miles,

Director of Marketing & Development

Lindsey Miles is the new Director of Marketing and Development at Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska. Lindsey is responsible for helping build and manage the organization’s brand, marketing, communication, planning events and securing funds that support Goodwill’s programs and services.

INTRODUCTIONS

Angie Brunello, a California native moved to Nebraska three years ago in search of ‘the good life’. In March, she joined Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska as the Controller for the organization. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting in addition to Angie’s diverse experience of working in retail and manufacturing industries, Angie looks forward to new challenges and hopes to contribute and continue with the great accomplishments that Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska has achieved.

Lindsey is a 2004 graduate of Central Community College and has 15 years of marketing experience and has volunteered her talents for several area nonprofit boards and fundraisers. She is a current board member of Community Health Charities of Nebraska, a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow, was named in the Chamber’s Top 35 Under 35 and was YWCA’s 2012 Young Woman of Achievement.

Diagnosed at the age of two with mild cerebral palsy that affects her left side, Lindsey is excited for the opportunity to live out her dream of using her marketing skills and talents to benefit people with disabilities. Lindsey and her husband, Mitch, reside in Grand Island and have a dog, Mocha and a cat named Joey.

View our 2018 Annual Report Online!

Visit our website: www.goodwillne.org

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SECURING EMPLOYMENT CREATING INDEPENDENCE INSPIRING HOPE SUPPORTING PERSONAL GROWTH

Summer Fun & Memories

Developmental Disability Services

Kearney - UNK Blue & Gold Days

Hastings - Visit to Hits 106 in Kearney

Grand Island - Received 2nd place on their Recycled Garden Display at the Nebraska State Fair Hastings - Nurse Appreciation Day

Grand Island - Volunteering at the State Fair

SECURING EMPLOYMENT CREATING INDEPENDENCE INSPIRING HOPE SUPPORTING PERSONAL GROWTH 2019 Fall Newsletter

Good Sharing the

PO Box 1863 | Grand Island, NE 68802