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FEBRUARY • 2015Welcome to the ClothesLine

- the monthly employee newsletter! In each edition we will be covering all corners of

the agency every month. Enjoy!

A SMILE CAN GO A LONG WAY

Meet Victor Hull, a donation trailer attendant who helps us spread the word about our

Goodwill mission

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CUSTOMER CONNECT: “IT’LL BE GREATER LATER”

Learn more about how this phrase comes into play for past, present and future participants

of Customer Connect.

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Our newest retail store opened on May 2, 2014 in South Papillion at 90th and Highway 370. Store manager Mitchell Parks along with President and CEO Frank McGree join other staff members, board members and people of the community for the ribbon cutting.

OUR YEAR IN REVIEWby Frank McGree

s an organization this Goodwill accomplished a great deal in 2014.

Join me as we review another successful year for our agency.

Let’s start with some milestones:

• At year-end Goodwill employed 652 people

• We participated in a Scenario Planning retreat

• Our Development office raised more than $500,000 in support of Goodwill programs, including more than $93,000 in a very

successful golf tournament• We initiated a “Round

it Up” campaign in Goodwill retail stores, generating $42,000

• Goodwill started two research projects. A Community Needs Assessment and a YouthBuild Longitudinal study

• Employment & Training launched three new programs: GoodHire, YouthBuild South and Project Employment...

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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2 WELCOME

PUBLISHER: Frank McGreeEDITOR IN CHIEF: Rita CrumMANAGING EDITOR: Ann BaileySTAFF WRITERS: Brent Koster, Elizabeth Donner, Kris Pachunka, Rebecca Armstrong and Erin Swanson Russell

THE CLOTHES LINE is published monthly and is available at each Town Hall meeting. If you are unable to attend Town Hall, you may also find copies in the Marketing area at BPP, or request to have a copy delivered to you by calling 402.231.1912.

You may also find Clothes Line articles and full-issue digital downloads on the Goodwill Omaha website at http://www.goodwillomaha.org/category/publications/the-clothes-line/.

FEBRUARY 2015A Brand New Annual Dinner – The

Goodwill Annual dinner will take place on April 11th, and will have a whole new format. We’re going to make it much more about you, the employees. That means more employee-related awards, more prizes and giveaways, and a more informal dress code. We want you to have fun as we celebrate another great year of Goodwill.

A New Opportunity to Serve – On January 20th, Goodwill was awarded a new grant to provide an employability and life skills program, ReStart, to individuals returning to society from prison. The grant will allow us to provide an array of services for this population that often struggles to find employment. This is important work, and a brand new way we can strgenthen our community.

New Contracts on Offutt Air Force Base – In January we signed new contracts to provide postal services at Offutt Air Force base. We also renewed our contract to provide custodial services on the base. For those of you who are new, Goodwill has been providing postal and custodial services on the base for years. We contract with the Department of Defense to provide these services using a workforces that is almost completely made up of people with disabilities.

by Brent KosterTHE RUNDOWN

LocAtEd insidE BEnson PARk PLAzA - 4805 noRth 72 stREEt

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Jessy Agee Donation Door Attendant West Center

Christina Altic Cashier 156th & Maple

Franklin Ansu Cashier Papillion

Jennifer Boyle Donation Door Attendant Southwest

Jordon Bradley Assistant Store Manager Madison

Corey Brown Donation Door Attendant South Papio

Deuz Campos YouthBuild Support Specialist Benson Park

Davionne Collier Donation Door Attendant Bellevue

Bobbie Comstock Cashier Fremont

Jon Gregg Facilities Associate Benson Park

Sierra Hals Cashier Harris Center

Rita Hash Cashier Benson Park Store

Haley Hiatt Cashier Gretna

Corey Himes Donation Door Attendant Madison

Francis Johnson Clothing Processor Hanger Madison

Abrium Logan Cashier Bellevue

Jasmine Marin Clothing Processor Hanger Bellevue

Jackson Mendoza Donation Door Attendant Madison

Noemi Mendoza Clothing Processor Hanger Madison

Eric Newton Cashier West Center

Ronald Nocita Donated Goods Processor Bellevue

Patricia Oltman Work Experience Trainer 72nd & F

Scott Ragle Donation Door Attendant 156th & Maple

Kendra Smith Cashier 72nd & F

Alexander Sprague Cashier 72nd & F

Hope Tarrant Cashier 156th & Maple

Foster White Cashier Harris Center

Patricia Williams Clothing Processor Hanger Madison

Carissa Zachary Retail Store Manager Bellevue

WELCOME! Below is a list of all new employees that joined Goodwill in December. Please say hello and make them feel welcome as they begin their new positions with Goodwill.

NEW EMPLOYEES!

NEW HIRES

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What is good work? What makes a good worker?

The answer to both of those questions can be summed up in two words: Erin Main.

Erin goes above and beyond and takes pride in her work. She is willing to go that extra mile to get things accomplished. Erin is committed to Goodwill’s mission to change lives and strengthens communities though education, training and work.

For these reasons, and many more, Erin was named our December Employee of the Month.

Through the past months, Erin has exceeded expectations by training not one, but two new employees at the same time, while still completing her normal

job duties. Erin scheduled and worked five job fairs during the month of October to help meet the huge recruiting needs of the agency, especially retail. This large number of job fairs meant a large influx of new staff throughout the agency, and Erin coordinated all orientations with these new employees

You might not know that Erin did all of this shortly after taking a new position within the HR department.

“With her learning the new job and having two brand new employees, she had to take on the responsibility of these job fairs and she did it so flawlessly. Erin took on some tasks and she is a wonderful asset to the HR department and is an integral

part in developing our team. Erin is always willing to help out when asked and does it with a confident smile and a positive attitude,” said Jenny Rohr, Erin’s supervisor.

“Erin has been great adapting to the changes in the HR department this year. And, she has accomplished so many things and meets the needs of all departments at Goodwill,” added Jenny.

Erin embodied Goodwill’s core values by being customer-driven and always lending a helping hand to employees and managers. She has great working relationships with mangers, and she strives to do her best to help them accomplish their jobs. Erin takes the time to train new staff so they too will embody these same values. She is a role model to the new HR staff and shows them what it takes to be an integral part of this agency.

When not at Goodwill, Erin likes to hang out with friends and family; and to play with her puppy, Keystone.

Congratulations, Erin, for your Employee of the Month win, keep up the good work!

Employee of the Month Erin Main and Human Resources Manager Jenny Rohr.

Employee of the Erin Main was surprised by the announcement during the December Town Hall.

by Rebecca ArmstrongEMPLOYEE

MONTHOF THE

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

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GoodBytes store manager James Coggins.

STORE MONTHOF THE

Congratulations to James and his crew for achieving

store of the month in December!

They ended 52 percent above budget!

GOODBYTES

Store of the month

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• Staff and participants celebrated two Customer Connect graduations and one YouthBuild graduation

• Retail revenue grew 2 percent to $20.5 million, setting a single day record of $83,351 on February 22nd

• We opened the agency’s seventeenth retail store in South Papillion

• Goodwill placed nine new material donation pods in the community, increased total donations 4 percent

• AbilityOne contracts grew 1.4 percent

• Commercial Services Division grew 18 percent

EMPLOYMENT & TRAININGIn 2014, Goodwill had

enrolled 1,360 people in its eight programs; 531 jobs were found with the help of Goodwill, and 31,262 employment services were provided at the American Job Center on 57th and Ames.

Early last summer Goodwill

received news that it had been awarded a grant designed to support people on welfare through subsidized employment opportunities. This is certainly a credit to our staff who worked diligently bringing the Nebraska Goodwill agencies on board in support of the program.

South Omaha YouthBuild began in September. It differs from the federally supported North Omaha program, as it serves young people who are still enrolled in high school. YouthBuild

South will serve 15 students in its first cohort.

The third program started in 2014 was Project Employment. It works with young people aging out of the foster care system, providing work-readiness training and helping them enter the world of employment. The program is currently serving 85 people.

CONTRACTSAfter months of preparation,

Goodwill started operation on a VA laundry contract in November. Our crew is responsible for cleaning 1.5 million pounds of laundry for the VA. It is a win-win situation for all involved, and creates 11 new Goodwill jobs for people with disabilities.

Our other AbilityOne contracts continued to provide excellent services to the government throughout the year. At year-end, the total employee base was 140, nearly all with significant

cover story

by Frank McGree

OUR YEAR IN REVIEW CON’T.

Offutt employees left to right: Eric Rentschler, Phil Johnson, Ed Spitalnick, Kevin Skinner and Sandy Miedl.

GoodHire staff gather for a photo at HWS. Left to right: Kathryn Naughton, John Rumbaugh and Jen Hale.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

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disabilities. Goodwill’s Commercial

Services Division grew by nearly 20 percent last year. These contracts include a variety of services offered primarily to local businesses, including custodial, bus cleaning, grounds maintenance and repackaging.

RETAIL / DONATED GOODS Material donations and retail

revenue are the lifeblood of Goodwill. Not only do our retail locations offer programmatic opportunities, they help us to expand and spread our mission. In times of significant retail growth, our agency flourishes.

With the improving economy however, Goodwill agencies around the country have seen this growth diminished. We are no exception to this. But thanks to careful planning and action,

our retail staff has certainly risen to the occasion. They worked hard to make a positive impact on Goodwill. I am proud of their commitment, their creativity and their ability to work through a challenging year.

We enjoyed successful donation drives with the Girl Scouts, Woodmen of the World, Younkers, Creighton University, Rotary West and WOWT. We also placed nine material donation pods in the community last year.

FUND DEVELOPMENT Certainly one of the shining

stars in 2014 was in the area of fund development, raising $5.1 million in 2014, and setting the structure in place for continued success. Among their lists of accomplishments include a very successful OmahaGives!

campaign, and the formation of a strong Development Committee.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS • WIA programs met 100% of

performance measures for their program year

• Work Experience (our oldest program) worked with 167 high school students in 2014

• 3,386 hours of training were offered to employees

• Two Goodwill employees graduated from the Goodwill International Senior Leader Program

• Retail established an Assistant Store Manager development program

• Goodwill received the Platinum Award from the Safety Council

• We completed our first ever I.T. Audit

Senior Director of Retail Kay Hilgenkamp, Training & Development Coordinator Miriam Blair and Retail Operations Director Shirley Hall pause for a picture while working at the Drive for Drives in 2014.

Left to right: Ramon Garibay, John Herman and Kirk Judds.

cover story

by Frank McGree

OUR YEAR IN REVIEW CON’T.

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At the beginning of each work day, Phil Johnson exchanges hugs with his staff. Most of his employees need that personal contact before starting their shift. It gives them the motivation they need to perform their work duties. “It’s those hugs that let me know I am making a difference in people’s lives,” said Phil.

Phil is the Project Manager overseeing the Goodwill custodial contract at Offutt Air Force Base. Most of the work done on that project is accomplished by individuals with a variety of disabilities. According to Phil, every day at work is a new adventure. From social issues with one individual, to helping another adjust to their new work environment, Phil has handled it all. He

diffuses conflicts and has a way of simplifying tasks for his employees. He is a hands-on manager and uses humor to help others get through stressful situations.

Phil works hard at focusing on each of his employees and makes a personal effort to visit each work site throughout the week. He leads by example and no matter what is happening in his personal life, his employees always take precedence. “Having happy employees is my main priority and getting them to laugh is always a bonus,” said Phil.

In Phil’s position he must also serve as the liaison between the government and Goodwill. He is experienced in adhering to strict government guidelines. Phil has demonstrated exceptional

customer service skills, and his relationship with government customers is crucial to the success of the contract. He has gone above and beyond to educate customers on custodial practices and he’s found numerous ways to save the

government money on custodial products.

According to Director of Federal Contracts Tobi Mathouser, “Phil is an asset to the Goodwill family. He works hard and believes in the agency’s mission. He believes in his employees and strives to empower them every day. His determination has paid off. He oversees one of Goodwill’s largest contracts. He has come a long way!”

In his off time, Phil volunteers at various treatment centers, prisons, and correctional facilities to spread his message about drugs and alcohol. Of course Phil wishes everyone would take his message to heart, but he feels successful if he makes a difference in the life of just one person who hears him speak.

In addition to his service to the community, Phil values the time he is able to spend with his family, including his 12 grandchildren. Congrats to Phil Johnson for being recognized with Goodwill’s 2014 Manager of the Fourth Quarter. Manager of the Quarter Phil Johnson was surpirsed with his award

presented by Tobi Mathouser, Pearl Wilder and Christel Hurley.

Eric Rentschler and Phil Johson start their work day off with a hug.

by Rita CrumMANAGER

QUARTEROF THE

MANAGER OF THE QUARTER

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78th & Dodge received Round It Ups for 30.54% of their total transactions in the month of December!

AGENTS OF CHANGE WINNERS:

78th & DODGE

ROUND IT UP

$43,494.60to support Goodwill’s mission!

Excellent job retail! You have raised

APRIL 7, 2014 - JANUARY 26, 2015

114,898TOTAL ROUND IT UP TRANSACTIONS

1,178,129TOTAL STORE TRANSACTIONSOUT

OF

Marissa Smotherman, Jackie Hawkins and Melanie Moyer

CONGRATS!These stores successfully met their

2014 Round It Up individual goal amounts!

• 156th & Maple• Harris Center• West Center• Papillion

• Bellevue*• Southwest*• 180th & Q*

*Indicates that store doubled their goal amount

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avanity Amerson is a YouthBuild success story. She graduated

with the 2013-2014 class and rarely missed a day! She finished the year with a 95 percent attendance rate, which is quite remarkable for a single mother raising a four-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter.

During high school Kavanity quickly fell behind when she stopped doing her homework and lost interest in school all together.

“I didn’t really care,” said Kavanity.

Two of her sisters successfully completed YouthBuild and encouraged Kavanity to apply.

What did she have to lose? She’d study to obtain her GED, get valuable job training and earn a living allowance.

“YouthBuild taught me to strive to be self-sufficient; it taught me responsibility and how to be a leader.”

And quite the leader she was. She had the respect of her peers

and the staff could always count on her to be honest and level headed. Kavanity obtained her GED, OSHA certification, HBI certification and First Aid/CPR certifications.

Thanks to a generous donor, she is currently participating in an externship through Millard

Lumber. She works in the retail store doing inventory, stocking shelves, taking orders and putting new products on the floor.

This opportunity gave her the confidence to apply for a position at First Data; she is currently going through their training program.

Kavanity’s ultimate career goal is to become a homicide detective. When asked why she quickly replied, “I have family members who have been killed and it feels like no one cares. I want to help people get answers or get justice to make them feel better.”

I then asked if there is anything she’d like people to know about her personally or her

experience in YouthBuild, she paused, choosing her words wisely. “YouthBuild was a life changing thing for me; I look at things totally different.”

Congratulations Kavanity! Thank you for being a great role model for future YouthBuilders.

YOUTHBUILD

Kby Miriam Blair

YOUTHBUILD: SUCCESS STORY

YouthBuild graduate Kavanity Amerson.

YouthBuild graduates wait patiently as speakers give them a few words of wisdom during the fall graduation ceremony.

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ictor Hull has been a donation attendant at our 50th & Grover trailer

donation site for the past five years. He spends eight hours a day, five days a week greeting customers and collecting their donations. His job poses a number of challenges, including the weather. He works outdoors, rain or shine, in the heat and in the frigid cold. I’m sure if you ask him, he’ll have a story or two about his experiences with the weird Nebraska weather.

Victor has also heard it all from donors…the hundreds of reasons why they donate. From spring cleaning, to kids going off to college. From selling a house to experiencing the death of a loved one, Victor has heard firsthand the stories behind the donations.

“I think it’s great they take the time to donate, especially if it’s during a time of mourning, because they don’t have to do that,” said Victor. “Many of these people have lost loved ones. They are cleaning out homes. I do my best at making them feel comfortable.”

That has become Victor’s goal every day he works his trailer site…to make our customers feel comfortable and to leave with a good impression about Goodwill. He knows that it’s his job to not only take their items, but to educate them about the importance of their donation to Goodwill. He doesn’t hesitate to express how grateful someone’s donations mean to us.

“I do my best to educate our customers about the Goodwill mission. Goodwill wouldn’t exist without our customers. I enjoy

talking to people. As long as they are donating, they are helping people. And I let them know that. It’s nice when I see them walk away with a smile on their face.”

With dedicated retail employees like Victor, Goodwill has been able to successfully grow its donation program. To date, we offer 27 donations locations throughout the Omaha-metro area. We have four trailer sites and 14 retail stores

staffed with friendly Goodwill employees happy to assist you with your donations and provide a tax receipt. We’ve also got nine unattended Donation Pods throughout the city, convenient for people who don’t need assistance or a receipt.

Prior to coming to Goodwill Victor found himself at a crossroads in his life. He was experiencing some health issues that hindered him from finding a job. He enrolled in a former Goodwill program, Projects with Industry, where he learned to work with his limitations and find an employer who would do the same. Shortly after completing the program, Victor applied for

a donation attendant position opening at Goodwill. He was hired and has been a great addition to the retail team ever since.

Victor is best known for keeping a watchful eye out on the houses during the day. One day he witnessed someone stealing a package off a front porch. Victor reacted quickly by calling the police. The person was eventually caught and arrested. This is

reciprocated by the neighbors as well. When Victor shuts down for the night, the local residents keep an eye on the trailer.

Every morning he stops at the nearby Billy J’s Cafe for a cup of coffee. Victor is greeted by everyone as he walks through the door. Some days he’ll also make a visit to the Bag-n-Save a few doors down. Victor believes in establishing a relationship with both the residents and area businesses.

“I know everyone who works in the strip mall behind the trailer. I communicate with them all. It’s also where I met my girlfriend. She’s a waitress at the cafe. I guess it’s a good thing I decided to start getting my morning coffee from there.”

It’s not uncommon for customers to stop byv, it’s just for a quick visit with Victor. He’s had donors bring him ice cream on a hot summer day, and hot chocolate when it’s cold. One donor even brought him a pizza.

“I love my job. I love my customers. I like communicating with the public. My goal every day is to make people laugh and walk away knowing a little something about Goodwill.”

MARKETING LIAISON

Vby Rita Crum

A SMILE CAN GO A LONG WAY

Victor stands proud at his donation trailer location.

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A single mom to five boys, Jalene Felton was living in Virginia, unable to provide for her family. She thought moving to Omaha would mean a better job and connections to family nearby.

However, once Jalene moved to Omaha, she focused on her kids, and not herself. Jalene was working only part-time that didn’t have much opportunity for advancement.

“My job didn’t come close to providing for my children.”

That’s when Jalene found Goodwill Industries, Inc. and our Customer Connect program.

“I was in a welfare-to-work program and my caseworker

told me about Customer Connect. I was excited to gain new skills to help get better employment.”

Jalene had tried college a few times in the past, but was never motivated enough to finish. She always ended up dropping out, finding it hard to balance school and her family. At Goodwill, our Customer Connect staff, including Coordinator Megan Sharpe, helped keep Jalene on track and stay with the program.

“Megan was like a savior to me. At times, I found it easy to get discouraged. She kept me in class, she kept me going. Without Megan, I wouldn’t have

finished,” said JaleneCustomer Connect gave

Jalene the skills to better herself and her family. After graduating from the program, she says that she has more courage, motivation and relationship skills than ever before. Jalene hopes to use these talents to improve the community by working with people in situations similar to hers.

“I was scared to even speak before, but now I want to speak in public and help other people become more confident and self-sufficient, like me.”

Jalene is currently continuing her education at Metropolitan Community College and hopes to work in the administrative side of a hospital or medical office once she graduates.

“I’ll use the skills I learned in Customer Connect for the rest of my life,” said Jalene.

Because of this awesome transformation and Jalene’s many accomplishments, Jalene was named Goodwill’s Participant of the Quarter for 2014’s fourth quarter. Congratulations on your well-deserved win!

Customer Connect participant Jalene Felton and Career Services Coordinator Megan Sharpe.

Jalene Felton works on her computer skills at the American Job Center- HWS.

by Rebecca ArmstrongPARTICIPANT

QUARTEROF THE

PARTICIPANT OF THE QUARTER

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re you getting enough sleep every night?

The wellness committee spent some time this month looking closely at stress management. Though there are many aspects of stress management we could highlight, the standout was sleep… or lack thereof.

The number one stress management suggestion is simply getting enough sleep.

It doesn’t matter how much yoga or herbal tea you drink- your efforts aren’t worth much without a good nights sleep. If you’re anxious about giving up time for rest, console yourself with the fact that sleep is the cheapest improvement to your health you can find.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 50

percent of all people worldwide report that they experience sleep deprivation on a regular basis. That means half of us are operating somewhere between zombie and Oscar the Grouch. Half of us regularly slog through the workday, making it difficult to focus and work efficiently. That

also means half of us are unable to fight off the nasty flu going around.

Sleep experts say most adults

need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health and safety. When we don’t get adequate sleep, we accumulate sleep debt which is difficult to ‘pay back’. The results are astounding. Sleep deprivation has been linked to health problems such as

obesity, high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity, as well as safety issues at home, on the job and on the road.

A common suggestion for determining how many hours of sleep you need: How long do you sleep when on vacation, or when an alarm clock (or in my case, puppy and toddler) are not waking

you up?Please take some time, to

make time for yourself and get some extra sleep!

WELLNESS

Aby Jen Hale

GETTING SOME Z’S: THE IMPORTANCE OF SLEEP

BANANA-PEANUT BAGELThis super-simple bedtime snack made with

tryptophan-rich bananas is a quick, easy and effective way to combat hunger pangs, and won’t keep you up all night.

Peanut butter contains the mineral magnesium, which can help relax the muscles and work as a mild relaxant to the central nervous system.

SERVES 1Ingredients:1 very ripe banana½ whole wheat bagel1 tablespoon natural crunchy peanut butter

Preparation: 1. Peel the banana and mash it well in a bowl. Toast the bagel.2. Spread the peanut butter on top of the bagel and top with the mashed banana.

Recipe courtesy of: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

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his month we have ten questions for Vice President of Human Resources Dave

Pfeffer. 1. What do you do here at

Goodwill:I’m the Vice President of

Human Resources. I’m in charge of all your typical human resource duties, and I’m also in charge of organizational safety.

2. How did you come to Goodwill?

There was an ad in the paper. I had a position in Greyhound Lines, and they were going through bankruptcy. I saw this tiny little ad for “Director of Human Resources,” except I didn’t know it was Goodwill. It was what they call a blind ad. I went in and applied and it was with Goodwill.

3. How did you know you wanted to work in HR?

When I started college I was thinking about medical school. Then I took organic chemistry, and that was the end of that. So at the same time I was taking a class with a teacher who worked in HR. I thought it was interesting so I headed down that career path.

4. What makes you a good fit?

I’m very even tempered and I don’t get emotionally influenced or upset about things. With HR issues, someone has to keep a level head and be objective. That’s what I try to provide.

5. Did you have to develop those skills or did they come naturally?

It was developed. Every time you do it you try to learn. You see what works and what doesn’t, and you develop a process.

6. What was you toughest

year at Goodwill? You know, I just have a

positive outlook on things. The tougher things are, the more I like them. I enjoy challenges. So I can’t really say what the toughest year was. I just don’t look at it that way.

7. Describe a typical day off for Dave Pfeffer.

I’ll typically look for a recipe. I’ve gone to culinary classes and I love to cook. And for some reason I have this ability to have things come out tasting good when I prepare them.

8. What would you do if you didn’t work for HR?

I’d want to be a chef. 9. What’s your favorite part

of your job? If I can do something that

makes a positive impact on Goodwill or a person, that’s my favorite part.

10. How are we doing at

Goodwill? When I look around and I see

the talent that we have, I like the level of employees at Goodwill. My job is to train and develop those employees. So When I look at the talent, I think we are in a good place.

THE BIG 10 • DAVE PFEFFER

by Brent KosterthE BiG 10 With dAVE PFEFFER

Vice President of Human Resources Dave Pfeffer.

Left to right: Linda Kizzier, Bobbi Walls, Dave Pfeffer and Michelle Bartling. Dave takes a moment to teach the Coffee House staff and Linda how to properly cut an onion based on the way it will be used.

T

15YEARS OF SERVICE • AWARDS

FEBRUARY 2015

DECEMBER 2014

YEARS OF SERVICE

AWARDS

31 Marcia Oltmanns Benson Park Store

28 Beverly Box Benson Park Store

15 Elba Navarro Southwest

13 Tammy Riederer Offutt

12 James T. Gibbons Postal 2

11 Happy Miller 72nd & F

10 Michael Hennings Offutt

8 Sarah Alba Ames Plaza

8 Shari Knutsen Benson Park Plaza

8 Paul Smith 72nd & F

7 Rita Antill Southwest

7 Sherry Latta-Calderon Harris Center

5 Miriam Blair Benson Park Plaza

3 Gloria Hernandez Papillion

2 Ann Bailey Benson Park Plaza

2 Jacob Perrigo South Papio

1 Larry Dall 72nd & F

1 Joy Headlee Ames Plaza

1 Raymond Marcias VA

1 Andrea Ray Fremont

CONGRATULATIONS! Thank you for your years of service, we look forward to many more!

LIFESAVERSGordon Scheet

ABOVE & BEYONDBrandon SwanLora HowardMark Green (2)Ryan FehderauChristian Cook

Look around you... There are awesome people doing awesome things every day. Be the one to brighten a co-worker or manager’s day with the Lifesaver or Above & Beyond Award. Go out and do awesome things and next month your name could be listed here.

New in February! We welcome a new award program called Safety Smart. If you see a coworker working in a safe manner, whether it be lifting properly or reporting a potential safety hazard, please award them with a Safety Smart award! Proceedure will be the same as the Above & Beyond and Lifesaver. Look for forms coming to your locations around the beginning of February. Stay safe!

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hen asked to write a story about Customer Connect, I questioned where to

start. I wanted to mention each successful participant I could think of, but there isn’t enough room in all of The Clothes Line to do them justice.

I wondered if I should talk about the department as a whole. Instead I chose to focus on one small, but very important area.

I decided to write about the phrase, “it’ll be greater later” and how that phrase came full circle for a graduate from Customer Connect and current Goodwill employee.

Last Thursday I walked into Benson Park Plaza and noticed someone who I hadn’t seen since May of 2014. She was waiting at a computer and gave me the biggest hug. We exchanged the

normal salutations, but it was when she told me what great things have happened to her since coming to Customer Connect that I realized what a powerful service we provide.

I was able to reflect on where she once was and where she is now. We discussed the new apartment she has, and how she is moving to a full time employee status and qualifies for health benefits. She thanked me for Customer Connect and explained what amazing things have happened to her since Goodwill came into her life.

She explained how it truly has worked out to be “greater later.” She confessed that every time she heard me say those words previously, she cringed. But she said she now smiles because with hard work and dedication, good

things can happen. So let’s be proud of the

great work we all do for this organization. How the amazing Customer Connect program (currently recruiting for the spring 2015 quarter) helps people understand the work we do for those in our programs. Customer Connect is just one example of services we provide, and one of the smaller programs available at Goodwill.

Think of the hundreds of people we assist every year with resumes, interview skills, or just an opportunity to talk about a struggle our participants face. I hope we can all take pride in a job well done. And for everyone who works daily to help improve lives through education, training, and work!

Hooray!!!

CUSTOMER CONNECT

Wby Megan Sharpe

CUSTOMER CONNECT: IT’LL BE GREATER LATER

Customer Connect, Cohort 20, student Alpha Dozen enjoys some breakfast items after testing.

Customer Connect participant Vicki Gardner proudly accepts her certificate at the graduation ceremony in November 2014.

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Last week we did something we haven’t done since the 1990’s. We applied for United Way funds! For those unfamiliar with the United Way, they are a charitable organization that aligns fundraising with crucial areas of need in communities. United Way’s focus is to identify and resolve pressing local issues, and to make measurable changes in communities through key partnerships. They do this by connecting local donors with nonprofits and teaming them up to work together towards a brighter future in Omaha.

In 2012, United Way of the Midlands began a Strategic Planning Process aimed at evaluating how they could make the most impact in the metro area. From this process, a Community Assessment was conducted analyzing the areas of most need in our community. The results of this assessment brought two new areas of focus for the United Way: Classroom Ready and Workforce Ready.

The Workforce Ready initiative pairs very nicely with our mission of changing lives and strengthening communities through education training and work. Because of this shared focus, Goodwill has decided to join the efforts of United Way, by applying for funding to support our Employment and Training programs. Our grant application will help strengthen and grow several of our programs, including, Customer Connect, READY and Business Outreach. This marks a new opportunity to join forces with a great nonprofit, and continue to bring hope to the community.

United Way of the Midlands operates with the good of the community in mind, making lasting changes in the lives of individuals and families in the Omaha metro area for over 90 years. United Way has supported some of the core basic needs that our most vulnerable neighbors face – urgent ones like Food, Shelter, Health and Safety.

by Elizabeth DonnerWORKFORCE READY

This month we visit with Dale Plessner. Dale is currently a Donation Door Attendant at Harris Center on 108th between Maple and Blondo. He has been employed with Goodwill for 32 years and has worked at mul-tiple locations. Out of 650+ employees, only two have been employed with Goodwill longer than Dale. That’s pretty im-pressive!

Dale also enjoys his free time with his wife of 16 years, Rosemary who was diagnosed with Epilepsy two and a half years ago. While talking about the things Dale has gone through in his life he told me that caregiving comes naturally to him and it has since he was in his late teens. He is very quick to learn about medical conditions and many times other family members go to Dale for help and advice.

Just from chatting with Dale for a short time, the natural caregiver in him shines through. He enjoys making people smile and helping out friends, fam-ily and coworkers when they’re having rough times.

When I asked Dale about his favorite part of working for Goodwill, he said that there isn’t a clear favorite that rises above the rest. He really enjoys coming into work and having the company of his coworkers. Dale told me that they like to give each other a hard time and joke around a lot, but when it comes down to getting work done and be-ing a team, they “stick together like Krazy Glue!”

“He is such a good employee and he is always saying ‘you have to love your job’. He got that from Kay Hilgenkamp in early 2000” said Harris Center Manager Sherry Latta-Calderon.

When the topic of retirement came up, he said he hasn’t even thought of it. “I would probably miss Goodwill and would be bored without my job.”

Thank you for your years of service Dale. Keep up the great work and we look forward to many more years.

by Ann BaileyMEET DALE

Dale Plessner with manager Sherry Latta-Calderon.

MEET DALE • DEVELOPMENT

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1 William LaRoche Spin Linen

2 Rhonda Meeks 156th & Maple

3 Kirk Judds Lincoln

3 Meriyha Phillips Harris Center

4 Michelle Munson West Center

4 Timothy Cech Zorinsky

4 Patricia Williams Madison

5 Christine Aguilar Benson Park Plaza

5 Cynthia Crouse 180th & Q

8 Kevin Supancic Offutt

9 Amy Burk Benson Park Store

10 Karen Winters Madison

10 Ariel Falcon 180th & Q

10 Bobbie Comstock Fremont

11 Alyssa Beebe Benson Park Plaza

12 La Ronda Birch Benson Park Plaza

13 Chad Kooiker 72nd & F

13 Bryan Setlik Gretna

14 Lynn Johnson Harris Center

14 Melanie Moyer 78th & Dodge

14 Candice Brown Benson Park Plaza

14 William Speck Jr. South Papio

15 Tammy Warren Fremont

16 Akpene Sika 156th & Maple

16 Marjorie Mathiesen Blair

17 Mark Green South Papio

18 Jade Naber Gretna

19 Kevin Ratliff 72nd & F

21 Shantel Featherson 72nd & F

21 Donald McPherson 72nd & F

22 Lori Schu West Center

22 Rajiv Brownell Offutt

22 Jasmine Marin Bellevue

23 Dale Cherek 72nd & F

23 Eva Epstein-Krings West Center

23 Alexander Sprague 72nd & F

25 Mark Ramler 72nd & F

25 Rayven Foster Papillion

26 Helene Syslo Southwest

26 Karl Hansen Offutt

28 Shelby Brettmann Fremont

29 Kathy Silveira Benson Park Plaza

29 Gabrielle Hallberg Harris Center

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

BIRTHDAYS

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DIVERSITY CALENDAR

DIVERSITY CALENDAR14Hanging employment barriers out to dry. 10Hanging employment barriers out to dry. 10

February 2010 Multicultural CalendarAfrican American History Month In 1926 Dr. Carter Woodson chose the week of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday to institute a week-long celebration of the contributions of African Americans to history. Now the entire month of February is celebrated as African American History Month. February 3 – Bean Scattering Festival (Setsubun): Japan This festival expresses everyone’s desire for good health and good fortune in the new year. At home, children throw beans at the “devil” and shout “out with the devil, in with good luck.”February 5 – Constitution Day: Mexico On this day in 1917 Mexico adopted its first constitution.February 6 – Sending Off the Kitchen God Day: China This two-day festival is associated with the New Year. In traditional Chinese homes, a paper image represents a home deity that is thought to keep track of the deeds of the household for the year. On this day, the family burns the image, whose spirit is believed to go to heaven and report to the chief deity on the family’s behavior during the past year. The chief deity then determines the fate of the family for the next year. Waitangi Day: New Zealand This commemorates the signing of the treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between the indigenous Maoris of New Zealand and the European colonists, providing for British sovereignty in exchange for guaranteed possession by the Maoris of their lands.February 8 – Constitution Day: Philippines This holiday commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the Philippines in 1935. February 11 – National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen Bi): Japan This holiday celebrates the ascension to the throne of the first Japanese Emperor, Jimmu, and the founding of the Japanese nation in 660 B.C.E.February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday: United States This day commemorates the birth of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), one of the greatest presidents of the United States, who changed the course of history by preserving the American Union during the Civil War, thereby preserving American democracy. In the process of saving the Union, Lincoln issued the historic Emancipation Proclamation, which paved the way for the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ending slavery in the United States. Lincoln’s eloquence and conviction are reflected in such historic speeches as the Gettysburg Address.February 14 – Valentine’s Day: United States The origins of this day are confused. There appear to have been two or three early Christian martyrs named Valentine. One was probably executed on February 14. One man named Valentine secretly married young sweethearts in opposition to the Roman Emperor Claudius’ ban on marriage (a policy designed to prevent young men of military age from forming family ties). Another legend mentions flowers grown by Valentine and given to children. When Valentine was imprisoned the children remembered him by throwing nosegays and notes into his prison window. These were the original Valentine greetings.New Year: China This is the beginning of a three-day celebration of the Chinese New Year, although traditionally the New Year celebration extends for fifteen days until the Lantern Festival. The festivities mark the beginning of year 4708 (The Year of the Tiger) since the mythical founding of the Chinese people. This celebration is called “Spring Festival” in the People’s Republic of China because the official New Year’s Day is January 1, based on the Gregorian calendar.New Year (Sol): South Korea This begins the traditional Korean New Year 4343. The New Year’s celebration is, along with Chusok, one of the two most important holidays in Korea. Officially a three-day holiday, it is traditionally celebrated for fifteen days until Taeborum. All Koreans count themselves one year older on New Year’s Day. New Year (Losar): Tibet This begins the Tibetan lunar year 2137 (The Year of the Iron-Tiger) based on the Han solar-lunar calendar. New Year’s is the major celebration of the Tibetan calendar and revelries may continue for up to two weeks. New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan): Vietnam This is the most important holiday in Vietnam and it begins the Vietnamese lunar year 4708 (The Year of the Tiger). Officially a three-day holiday, it is often celebrated for seven or more days. All Vietnamese become one year older on New Year’s Day. February 15 – Bun Day (Shrove Monday): Iceland Icelanders celebrate the Monday before Lent by feasting on cream buns. On Bun Day, children wake up early and try to catch their parents still in bed. If they do, they “strike” their parents with colorful handmade “bun wands,” or bolludagsvöndur. Parents must then give their children one cream bun for every blow received. Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day): United States The birthday of George Washington (1732-1799), hero of the Revolutionary War, president of the Constitutional Convention, and first president of the United States of America, is observed on this day. Celebrated for the first time in the late eighteenth century when George Washington was still president, Washington’s Birthday became an official federal holiday in 1885. February 16 – Independence Day: Lithuania In 1918 Lithuania declared its independence from Russia. However, in the aftermath of World War II, the Soviet Union absorbed Lithuania into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and it was not until August 19, 1991 that Lithuania regained its independence.February 18 – National Democracy Day: Nepal This public holiday commemorates the people’s revolution of 1950-51 resulting in the termination of Nepal’s 104-year hereditary Rana regime on February 18, 1951 and the adoption of a constitution in 1952.February 21 – International Mother Language Day: United Nations This day was proclaimed by UNESCO on November 17, 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and to celebrate the nearly six thousand languages spoken in the world today. It is observed on February 21 in international recognition of Language Martyrs’ Day in Bangladesh. Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Dibash): Bangladesh Also known as Language Martyrs’ Day or National Mourning Day, this commemorates the lives sacrificed in the effort to make Bengali (or Bangla) one of the national languages when Bangladesh was part of Pakistan. At the time, the West Pakistani regime was trying to force Urdu as the national language. On this day in 1952 a procession by Bengalis in Dhaka was shot at by police, resulting in the death of four martyrs. The nascent Bengali nationalism ultimately led to the creation of the nation of Bangladesh. This day was declared International Mother Language Day by Bangladesh and UNESCO on November 17, 1999.February 22 – People Power Day: Philippines This commemorates the overthrow of Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines as a dictatorship from 1972 to 1986, by the democracy movement. This holiday is commonly celebrated from February 22 to February 25. It was on February 25 that Ferdinand Marcos left the Philippines and Corazon Aquino was recognized by the United States as president.February 23 – Defenders of the Motherland Day: Russia On this day, Russia honors those who are serving in the Armed Forces and those who have served

2011 February Diversity Calendar Datesdiversity calendar

February 2012

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