FALL/WINTER 2012

Goodwill Offers New Summer Opportunities for Youth

Goodwill Programs Make a Difference

As part of its new Youth Initiative, Goodwill connected young people, ages 14 and over, with summer employment, recreational and educational opportunities, and an Outward Bound experience.

“We expanded our current youth programming by offering new and engaging opportunities in the summer months, including a job for those who were interested,” said Joanne K. Hilferty, president of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. “That’s what we were hearing from the young people we serve: we love the activities, but what we really need is help finding jobs.”

As part of the program, 30 young people worked at Goodwill over the summer, including Anthony Jimenez, who worked at Boston Career Link, Goodwill’s one-stop career center.

It’s not an exaggeration to say the Human Services Employment Ladder Program positively changed Dianne Singletary’s life.

A single mother from Dorchester with four children, three of whom have special needs, Dianne had been unemployed for three years when she heard about Goodwill’s HELP Program.

“I always shop at Goodwill for my family, but I didn’t know about all the programs and services it offered,” admitted Dianne. “When I saw the HELP flyer I thought it looked interesting and decided it was something I had to do. It turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done!”

Dianne shared her story at the kick-off reception for the Put Your Clothes to Work drive, which collects interview-appropriate attire and accessories for job training graduates.

Not long after enrolling in the two-month HELP program, Dianne was interviewing with prospective employers and was soon offered a job by the North Suffolk Mental Health Association where she now works as a case manager. Dianne wore the outfit she got from the Clothing

“I loved it,” said Anthony. “I learned a lot and I got to help people who were looking for work.”

Others got to work in The Goodwill Stores and program areas, including Goodwill’s Day Habilitation Program, which provides daily supports and prevocational training for adults with disabilities. “I had a blast, said Justin Pina. “Everyone was really cool and it was good to have a job.”

Anthony Jimenez

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Youth Program Recognizes AchieversGoodwill recently held a year-end celebration to recognize the achievements of the young people in its youth programs.

The highlight of “A Tribute to Youth” was the fact that seven of the nine graduating seniors were going on to higher education at places like UMass-Boston, UMass-Lowell, and Mount Ida College. The other two seniors were entering the workforce.

One of those graduating seniors was Cleopatra Lewis who will be attending UMass-Lowell this fall.

“I got so much out of the after-school academy and everything else I did at Goodwill,” said Lewis. “I definitely feel well prepared to go to college!”

Dianne Singletary

GOODWILL PROGRAMS – continued

Job Placements Up at Boston Career LinkBoston Career Link, the one-stop career center operated by Goodwill, placed 1,010 individuals in jobs in the fi scal year ending June 30, a 21 percent increase over the previous year.

Some of the increase was due to the growing number of individuals served by Boston Career Link, which was up 4 percent to 8,273 people. The increase can also be attributed to Boston Career Link staff working more closely with its business partners to fi nd the right people for the right job.

“We have been encouraging more and more of our employer partners to directly work with us,” said Paul MacNeil, vice president of work programs and the director of Boston Career Link. “As a result, we’ve seen a 49 percent increase in onsite recruitments here, which means more and more job placements for our members.”

New Janitorial and Building Maintenance Program Helps People Find JobsGoodwill’s new and expanded Janitorial and Building Maintenance Program is better preparing participants to work in competitive employment.

As part of the program, participants complete a fi ve-week training program that includes work at local businesses or The Goodwill Stores. The participants then work with Goodwill staff to secure employment. So far, 14 participants have completed the training program.

For Desiree Isenberg, who now works at Hanscom Air Force Base, the training program has been a dream.

“I learned a lot and it helped me learn how to do my job better,” Desiree said. “I love going to Hanscom and working and doing what I want to do.”

Collaborative For Job Trainees on her job interview.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for programs like HELP and Clothing Collaborative For Job Trainees,” Dianne said.

Drive Helps People Get JobsGoodwill held a successful Put Your Clothes to Work drive, collecting almost 16,000 pounds of interview-appropriate attire and accessories that will be used at the Clothing Collaborative for Job Trainees.

More donations mean more opportunities for the hundreds of job training graduates like Dianne Singletary.

The drive, which ran in May to June, was sponsored by Bingham McCutchen, Castle Group, McGladrey, Online Buddies, and The TJX Companies, but also had help from more than 30 organizations. There were seven new businesses this year: Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Delta Dental, Hubspot, Online Buddies, Parthenon Group, Towers & Watson, and Tufts Health Plan.

Right: Recent graduates from janitorial training program.

DevelopmentCornerThe Good Party Raises Funds for Goodwill ProgramsMore than 250 people attended The Good Party, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries’ signature annual gala on June 14. Held in a giant tent at Goodwill’s headquarters at 1010 Harrison Avenue in Roxbury, the event raises funds to support Goodwill’s programs and services. The major sponsors for the event were: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Acadian Wipers, Boston Private Bank & Trust, Bryan Rafanelli, Citizens Bank, NSTAR, and The TJX Companies. Thanks sponsors!

Goodwill Donors Step Up to ChallengeEarlier this year a generous and longtime supporter agreed to match dollar for dollar new and increased gifts to Goodwill, up to $25,000. We are happy to report that you met and exceeded that challenge by donating more than $37,000 in new and increased gifts. Thank you!

Helms Society Continues to Grow!The Edgar J. Helms Society – a program that recognizes the impact of leadership gifts over $100 – gained 1,000 new members in the past year. Thank you for helping us continue Reverend Helms’ mission of helping people achieve independence and dignity through work.

DevelopmentCorner

Goodwill’s mission is to provide exemplary job training and related services to help individuals with disabilities and other barriers to self-suffi ciency to achieve independence and dignity through work. Not charity, but a chance.

Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries1010 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02119617-445-1010 www.goodwillmass.org

For more information call the Development Offi ce at 617-541-1259.