Happy 100th Birthday Goodwill SWPAGoodwill SWPA is celebrating a very exciting milestone in 2019 – 100 years of enabling people in the Pittsburgh area to

achieve the power of work in their lives. To commemorate this special birthday, the agency has planned a variety of events and activities throughout the year to highlight contributions from the past century and demonstrate a renewed vision for the next 100 years.

The anniversary celebration officially kicked off with the 22nd annual Power of Work Awards ceremony on March 22 at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. The Power of Work Awards was created in 1997 to honor organizations that make a major, positive impact on the lives of people with barriers to employment.

In addition to honoring these extraor-dinary businesses, Goodwill debuted a new video featuring local celebrities at the Power of Work Awards ceremony. Check out the video at youtube.com/goodwillswpa to see some of Pittsburgh’s most famous faces shar-ing a birthday shout out and their thoughts

100th Anniversary Celebration Kicks Off with Power of Work AwardsThe 2019 Power of Work Award winners named at the annual ceremony in March are committed to Goodwill’s mission of changing lives. Selected from nearly 60 nominees, the following three businesses were recognized for their efforts to hire and help people with disabilities and other barriers to employment:

l Local roofing company Tri-Boro Development has been working with individuals who have recently reintegrated into society after being incarcerated. Most of these individuals have a large lapse in employment, struggle with addiction, and have a criminal background.

l Joseph Tambellini Restaurant, a fine dining establishment near Highland Park, is known for both its pleasant atmosphere and an owner with a kind heart when it comes to hiring and retaining employees. For many years, owner and executive chef Joseph “Joe” Tambellini has hired several individuals re-entering society after incar-ceration.

l Asbury Heights, a UPMC Senior Community, plays a key role in Goodwill’s Community NOW! Program, providing a welcoming place for people with disabilities to train in various work areas. Clients are placed in dining services, the wellness clinic and the beauty shop several days a week to gain work experi-ence, build on their social skills, and learn new skills.

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Mick Harvey, Owner, and Travis Bruno, Employee, accept a Power of Work Award on behalf of Tri-Boro Development.

The Value of ValuesBy Michael J. SmithPresident/CEO

Every organization has a core set of values that they live by in word and in action. It is these values that define what the orga-nization believes and strives to always be in their effort to serve their community. At Goodwill, our values are the operating philosophies that guide our conduct and relationships with participants, employers, volunteers and employees in support of those in the community who benefit from our services. In short, it’s “who we are.”

Recently, as part of our strategic plan, we did some extensive self-reflection to review our values and to create new values that reflect where we are as an organization in 2019, our 100th year. We took a year to really study who we are through an elabo-rate process that included surveys and inter-views with staff, leadership and our board of directors. Those who know us best provided some good, honest input.

As a result, we rolled out some initial ideas for everyone to “try on for size” and,

over several months, gathered feedback and refined the language. Now, we have offi-cially adopted a new set of values for our organization that focus on the following key words and concepts:

l Community – We work together

l Excellence – We exceed expectations

l Honesty – We act with integrity

l Caring – We help people

l Responsibility – We own the outcome

l Connection – We listen, we connect, we empower

l Potential – We see people for their potential

These values will be incorporated into the way that we do business at Goodwill and you will be seeing them pop up around our facilities and in various places.

More importantly, our employees, par-ticipants, customers and anyone who comes in contact with us will see us living these values each and every day. As we embark on our 100-year celebration, these values truly reflect our past and will lead us into the future. l

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cities and states with various nonprofits and vocational rehabilitation programs. The long-term goals are to continue the program in southwestern Pennsylvania while expand-ing to as many other locations possible with a focus on creating new business relation-ships while replicating and customizing the program to maintain momentum.

“FedEx Ground is proud to partici-pate in the Packaged for Success program,” said Craig Kerber, Senior Manager, FedEx Ground. “A diverse and inclusive workforce is a win-win for all. Packaged for Success provides an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn the skills required to be successful in the workplace.” l

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FedEx Ground Introduces Packaged for SuccessFedEx Ground is known for its quick and efficient handling of people’s important packages. It is also known for its commit-ment to community, including the piloting of a new work training program in partner-ship with Goodwill SWPA and the Office for Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

The Packaged for Success program, as piloted at the Clinton FedEx Ground facility, offers paid community work instruction for individuals with disabilities where they learn both the hard skills of FedEx Ground pack-age handling and the soft skills of obtaining and maintaining a job through Goodwill. The program debuted in April when four high school students identified by OVR came to the Clinton facility for an eight-week program.

While at FedEx Ground, the students worked with Jamie Kendrick, Goodwill Onsite Coordinator, to learn how to dress, behave, write resumes and interview. They also spent time with FedEx Ground employees learning how to scan, sort and load packages.

The second pilot program is now taking place with plans for FedEx Ground to expand Packaged for Success in other

Register Now to Golf for GoodwillRegistration is now open for the 19th Annual Golf for Goodwill event scheduled for Monday, August 12, at the Pittsburgh Field Club. This event has raised nearly $2 million dollars over the last 18 years for Goodwill’s innovative job training and education programs.

After enjoying 18 holes with caddies, drinks, snacks and special con-tests, golfers will be treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a luxury silent auction, and raffles. The day will conclude with a mov-ing dinner program and awards ceremony hosted by Goodwill President/CEO Mike

Smith and Chris Mueller, radio personality on 93.7 The Fan.

For more information about Golf for Goodwill, contact Gabi Lloyd, Development Specialist, at 412-632-1931. l

On the job at the Clinton FedEx Ground facility for the first Packaged for Success program were, left to right, Craig Kerber, Senior Manager; Emily Julian; Zach Mangan, Sort Manager; Kurtis Stashick; Nolan Rosemeier; Nathan Homberg; and Jim Peck, Ops Manager II.

VISIT THE GOLF WEBSITE: WWW.GOODWILLSWPA.ORG/GOLFFORGOODWILL

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Mt. Pleasant Store Now OpenA new Goodwill store in Mt. Pleasant opened its doors on June 12 at 280 Crossroads Plaza, just minutes from its previous location in Countryside Plaza. The first 150 customers in the door at the grand opening received a free gift. Attendees also enjoyed music, raffles and

free refreshments throughout the morning of the opening.

The new Mt. Pleasant location has pro-duction and donation areas that are arranged for maximum efficiency with an open design that features energy-efficient HVAC and electrical systems. The store is 15,750 square feet, including 8,000 square feet of sales floor with a drive thru donation drop off point for the convenience of donors. l

Recent Grants Awarded to GoodwillA special thank you is extended to the fol-lowing foundations for their generous gifts to Goodwill: l The Birmingham Foundation for a grant to

the YouthWorks’ HIRE Me program, an in-school program that provides work-read-iness training, career mentorship, service-learning opportunities, and career explora-tion experiences.

l The BNY Mellon Foundation for a grant to the Tech Academy, which will enable 60 individuals to acquire digital skills training over an 18-month period and prepare for career pathways in network systems and information support services. l

Participants in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mt. Pleasant store included, left to right, Andrew Marano, Vice President, Donated Goods Retail, Goodwill SWPA; Jerry Lucia, Mt. Pleasant Mayor; Dennis Gregory, Regional Director, East Region, Goodwill; Mary Jo Kinnick, Mt. Pleasant Store Manager; and Mike Smith, President/CEO, Goodwill SWPA.

10,739 adults and youth served

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Outstanding Achievers Go Above and BeyondGoodwill annually acknowledges Outstanding Achievers who go above and beyond to reach their personal goals with support from Goodwill’s programs and services. To cel-ebrate their accomplishments from this past year, Goodwill presented each honoree with an award plaque and a check at special recognition ceremonies in Pittsburgh and Fayette County.

Those honored from Pittsburgh were: Mario Alvarez, Dejarnette Blanchard,

J’Quai Burton-Brown, Megan Coulter, Dalton Flatt, Erin Gannon, Tamika Gilmore, Sam Harris, Christopher Henry, Thomas Hewitt, Destiny James, Jamie King, Danielle Kovacic, Matthew McConeghy, Nicholas Neckerman, Matthew Parker, Robert Shields, Daniel Skowron, Mark Whitehead and Oderia Wilson.

Those honored from Fayette were: George Anderson, Kara Dobson, Bradley Francis, Cindy Gellotti, Lisa Harshman, Randy Martelli, Dustin Murray, Sara Oaster, Corey Porupski and Donald Smith. l

Above: Mike Smith, President/CEO joins Outstanding Achievers in the Pittsburgh area at the Workforce Development Center in Lawrenceville.

Bop Stape, COO, far left, and Ella Holsinger, Vice President of Human Services, far right, and the Smiling G mascot with the Fayette

Outstanding Achievers.

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History of Goodwill It was the year 1919, when the idea of collecting used clothing and housewares to provide opportunities for disadvantaged populations was brought to Pittsburgh, and the first memories of packing up old toys and clothes to take to Goodwill were made. A century later, Goodwill is still helping people seek meaningful work. Some highlights of Goodwill SWPA’s history include:

l 1967 – Headquarters moved to East Carson Street in the South Side

l 1969 – Fayette County affiliate unit and retail store established in Uniontown

l 1988 – First Goodwill SWPA literacy program launched with the Pennsylvania Department of Education

l 1994 – Auto donation and auction pro-gram launched and grew to be the largest nonprofit auto auction in the U.S.

l 1995 - First Goodwill in the U.S. to establish a computer recycling program and the Goodwill Computer Recycling Center

l 2010 – Headquarters and client service operations moved to the new Workforce Development Center in Lawrenceville

Project SEARCH Students GraduateUPMC Project SEARCH students from UPMC Passavant and UPMC Mercy recently graduated from the program. Friends and family gathered to see the students accept both their Project SEARCH certificates and their high school diplomas. A one-year training and education program for individuals with disabil-ities age 18 to 21, Project SEARCH provides

real life work experience based on the individual’s preferences and interests that will eventually lead to employment. l

regarding the agency’s long-time impact in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Power of Work Awards ceremony was the first in a year-long series of excit-ing activities and events. On September 15, Goodwill will hold its official “Birthday

Party” at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The family-friendly event, which is open to the public, will include a picnic lunch complete with cake and ice cream, live entertainment, Goodwill trivia and a com-memorative photo booth. For more informa-tion, visit the Goodwill web site.

Goodwill invites all friends and support-ers to join in the celebrations all year long. l

Project SEARCH graduates from UPMC Passavant included, left to right, Joseph Tellez, Raymond Jiang, Matthew Dorsey, Griffin Cavallaro and Solomon Shabazz.

Project SEARCH Mercy gradu-ates included, left to right, Nathaniel Plowden, Andrew Dixon and Tory Amato.

Happy 100th Birthday GoodwillContinued from page 1

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West Virginia Customers Win a Shopping SpreeWest Virginia shoppers who joined the GoodPerks loyalty program before May 15 were entered to win a Goodwill shop-ping spree. One winner was chosen from each north central West Virginia store to enjoy a VIP shopping spree (up to $50) for 30 minutes before each store opened. Congratulations to the following winners:Bridgeport: Kayla Martin (not pictured)Buckhannon: Jackie SpinoElkins: Regina Boyles (not pictured)Morgantown: Barbara KellerWestover: Lori Rigden l

Rep. Sara Innamorato, new state representative for the 21st District, recently visited the Goodwill Welcome Center in Lawrenceville. Enjoying the visit were, left to right, front row, Jen Morgan, Outreach and Recruitment Specialist; Cait C., Digital Skills Instructor; Satya Harrington, Administrative Specialist; Sara Innamorato; Stacey Udumukwu, Lead Service Consultant; and Rebekah Fombelle, Director of Service Coordination. Back row, left to right, Scott Grady, Intake Coordinator; and Jamaal Davis, Digital Skills Coordinator.

Left: Buckhannon: Jackie SpinoBelow left: Morgantown: Barbara KellerBelow: Westover: Lori Rigden

Students from the University of Pittsburgh voted the South Side retail store the “Best Thrift Store” of 2018. Representatives from The Pitt News visited the store to deliver a plaque commemorating the honor. Congratulations to manager Don Campbell and the entire South Side store team.

Jessica McConnell Completes Leadership ProgramJessica McConnell, Regional Director, Goodwill, recently completed the Goodwill Industries International Senior Leader Program. Featuring a blend of classroom, online and applied learning, the six-month program helped to enhance her leadership, organizational and teamwork skills by challenging her cohort to create a definition and common vision for a data-driven culture for Goodwill. l

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People of Goodwill

New Board Officers and Directors Elected Goodwill recently elected a new slate of Board officers. Shawn Hanlon, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, was elected for his second two-year term as Chairperson. Other newly elected board officers include David Lund, Vice President, Loss Prevention, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Vice Chairperson; Wendy Roehrich Hall, Client Director, AIG, Secretary; and Robert Tiskus, Senior Vice President, M & T Bank, Treasurer.

Goodwill is also pleased to welcome two new Board members:l Damon Claus, Founder and Chief

Executive Officer, Castus Consulting LLC

l Derek Coatney, Senior Product Manager, Google

16,781,530 pounds of material kept out of landfills through recycling

Northside Common Ministries Helps Homeless Men Great things are happening for the home-less men who enter the doors of Northside Common Ministries, an affiliate of Goodwill SWPA. Last year, 82 percent of the men staying at the Pleasant Valley Men’s Shelter moved from homelessness to stable housing. That is almost double the average move-out rate of 42 percent for all shelters in the county.

Eric and Colin are two of these many success stories. According to Director Jay Poliziani, Eric is now an Assistant Manager at Dollar Tree and has his own apartment in Shadyside. Colin, who was also living in the shelter last year, is now a zTrip cab driver and lives in Greenfield. l

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Dalton Earns Job Through RISE Individuals between the ages of 17 and 24 who are not enrolled in school, and are look-ing to jump start their career, can receive help from Goodwill. Just ask Dalton, an Outstanding Achiever who took full advan-tage of everything offered through the Reentry through Industry Specific Education (RISE) Program.

Dalton obtained his OSHA-30 cer-tification and flagger certification, as well as gained work experience at Goodwill’s Donation Processing Center. He did all of this while also studying for and successfully obtaining his GED. After Dalton completed RISE, he was hired as a Processing Associate at Goodwill, where he stayed for several months until taking a new job closer to his

home. He is now doing very well as a ware-house/shipping associate at Leeds.

Goodwill offers training programs in masonry, culinary and machinery that can be completed in weeks while combining with GED classes and other opportunities, as needed. RISE students receive benefits such as employment services, financial literacy, intensive case management and counseling. Additionally, the free vocational training program offers help with transportation and a monetary stipend upon successful completion.

RISE is open to residents of Allegheny County between the ages of 17 to 24 who are out of school. There is rolling admission and start dates through December; eligibility may vary by program.

For more information on RISE, contact Tiffanee Heywood at 412-632-1742 or tiffanee.heywood@goodwillswpa.org. l

Megan Receives Housekeeping TrainingMegan’s determination and work ethic are an inspiration for all the clients and staff at Goodwill. A diligent and hardworking individual, this Outstanding Achiever was persistent in her aim to achieve gainful employment at a local hotel. She is proud to now be a housekeeper at the Holiday Inn in Monroeville.

Megan met this employment goal thanks to the Environmental Services

and Housekeeping Training Program at Goodwill. This program takes a holistic approach by providing assessment, job skills development and job readiness training, as well as job search and job placement support.

Hands-on and classroom training in the program includes restroom and office clean-ing, dusting and floor cleaning. After com-pleting training requirements, participants may be placed in externships to ensure readi-ness for competitive employment. Successful completion of the program prepares partici-pants for jobs such as housekeepers, day porters, room attendants, environmental services aides, and utility workers in various industries.

Individuals who have been screened and referred by an overseeing funding agency or service provider may apply. Final determinations are made after completing an application and interview with the house-keeping management and staff. The indi-vidual’s start date is determined by training position availability.

For more information about the Environmental Services and Housekeeping Training Program, contact 1-877-499-3526 or welcome@goodwillswpa.org. l

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Dalton

Megan

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Girl Scouts Sell Their Delicious CookiesGoodwill was thrilled to play host to some of the finest entrepreneurs from another well-known and well-respected nonprofit organization – the Girls Scouts. Local troops set up tables to sell deli-cious cookies at retail stores in Monroeville, West Mifflin and Cranberry during the month of March. Hosting cookie sales is just the most recent itera-tion of a partnership between Goodwill and the Girls Scouts that spans many years. l Monroeville Store

Cranberry Superstore West Mifflin Store

$114,300,000 of economic impact in southwestern Pennsylvania

In April, Goodwill SWPA joined with other Goodwill organizations from across the country to meet with Capitol Hill legislators in Washington D.C. for Goodwill on the Hill Advocacy Day. David J. Tobiczyk, Vice President, Marketing and Development, Goodwill, left, met with Kate Werley, staffer from Rep. Michael Doyle’s office, right, to discuss several key initiatives that affect the daily lives of the people Goodwill serves.

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A Store Near YouLongevity Key to Butler Store Success4.6 years.That’s the average number of years that the average worker stays on the job with their current employer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Butler Goodwill store has blown that statistic out of the water as it boasts an impressive six employees who have worked in the store since its opening in 1999. This year, the store celebrates its 20th anniversary and the dedicated employ-ees who have worked there over the years.

“We are like one big happy fam-ily here,” said Sandy Crider, one of the employees who has been there since day one. “We look out for each other and provide support. It is fun to work with each other…it’s a team effort.”

Crider’s enthusiasm for Goodwill carries over to the management staff, other

employees, and the customers who regularly visit this location near numerous shopping centers by the busy Route 422 corridor. The store is in competition with other retailers like the dollar stores or Sam’s Club, but David Ireland, Store Manager, said it’s the employees who make the store so attractive to new and regular customers.

“Our employees do what needs to be done to keep the store running smoothly,” said Ireland. “Their longevity is a testament to this store and its fun atmosphere.”

Ireland taps into the skills of all of his employees to ensure the store is organized well and to make it easy for customers to find quality merchandise. In recent years, he upped the standards for the store and works hard to consistently put out like-new merchandise that is less like a flea market and more like a better clothing store that is appealing to customers.

“People never know what they are going get,” he said. “I try to make things easier by putting the best of the best out. We have a lot of repeat customers.”

This winning combination of long-term employees and a commitment to providing the best merchandise for customers will pro-pel the store into another 20 years of serving the Butler area well. Here’s to celebrating a successful 20 years to date. l

About the Butler Store

l Location: 370 New Castle Road

Butler, PA 16001

l Staff: 26 employees: 17 full-time; 9 part-time

l Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

l Telephone: 724-284-1037

Employees who have worked at the Butler store since it opened celebrate 20 years together. Left to right, Barb Spryn, Mary Barclay, Deb Perri, Sandy Crider and Lori Shawl. Not pictured, Ron Hays.

Goodwill of Southwestern PennsylvaniaRobert S. Foltz Building118 52nd StreetPittsburgh, PA 15201

goodwillswpa.org

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DPITTSBURGH, PAPERMIT NO. 2972

Give to Goodwill at goodwillswpa.org/donate-money

Goodwill of Southwestern PennsylvaniaRobert S. Foltz Building118 52nd Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201412-481-9005 goodwillswpa.org

AffiliatesGoodwill of North Central West Virginia1-888-4GW-NCWV (1-888-449-6298)Goodwill Commercial Services, Inc.412-913-1982Goodwill Housing412-257-4844Northside Common Ministries412-323-1163

Our MissionWe help people improve their quality of life through work and related services.

Goodwill’s Code of Conduct Goodwill SWPA is committed to conducting its business in accordance with the highest standards of ethical behavior and regulatory compliance and to treating everyone with dignity and respect. The agency’s full Code of Conduct document – “Ethics at Work” – may be viewed at www.goodwillswpa.org.

Non-discrimination StatementGoodwill SWPA and its affiliates prohibit discrimi-nation on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, or sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity EmployerGoodwill SWPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aides and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For more information, call 412-632-1809 or email accommodations.request@goodwillswpa.org

Goodwill SWPA is CARF accredited.Alternative formats are available upon request.Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

facebook.com/goodwillswpa@gwswpayoutube.com/goodwillswpa

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Sign Up for the GoodPerks Loyalty Program Be the first to know about upcoming pro-motions and sales by joining the GoodPerks loyalty program. Since launching last fall,

Good Perks members have received discounts like a 10 percent off coupon and exclusive access to events such as the outlet Easter egg hunt and end-of-season coat and jacket sale. Individuals can enjoy these same perks by signing up for GoodPerks at any Goodwill retail store or at goodwillswpa.org. l

DONATE A CAR: It’s a Win for Goodwill and a Win for You

Are you looking to unload a vehicle but want to avoid the hassle of selling it yourself? Donate it to Goodwill. Visit goodwillswpa.org/donate-a-car or call 1-888-30-40-CAR for more details.