When Goodwill of the Heartland clients use Michael Knapp’s fishing rod, tackle box or

telescope, they may not think about the way those items were parts of a life renewed. And they probably won’t fathom how the gear now serves in the healing process for two sisters with tender memories of a beloved brother.

Michael Knapp’s life story may first appear to be one filled with disappointment and loneliness following years of incarceration, absence from society and separation from family and friends. However, Michael’s story includes a rich final chapter filled with friendship, support and love as he set out to regain a life of independence.

During the difficult years, Michael’s family was his only support network. Unless Michael went places with his sisters Debbie and Cindy, most of his time was spent isolated in a small efficiency apartment. Michael faced the daily realities of social phobia, as well as complications caused by mental and physical health issues, and the on-going challenges of managing Type 1 Diabetes.

Michael called his sisters several times a day, and they were his lifeline to the world prior to his acceptance into Supported Community Living (SCL) Program at Goodwill®. After joining SCL, the “apron strings” began to loosen, and Michael began to discover he could have a life outside the safe haven of his sisters’ support.

SCL staff began developing a working relationship with Michael by providing assistance in getting to medical appointments, completing welfare checks, assisting with skill development, and offering recreational opportunities with other SCL participants through Goodwill’s Social Outreach and Recreation Program.

Michael’s sister Debbie wrote, “I loved hearing him talk about the fun he had or the people he met. How good it made him feel to be able to help with the things he knew and could do, like helping teach how he fished!”

“The staff in SCL made Michael face up to the mistakes he made. But [they were] standing beside him with support. He also grew from that,” she noted.

Working with SCL Specialist Bruce Borrett, Michael began to make new friendships and, in fact, was able to invite three or four acquaintances to have Thanksgiving Dinner with him. Michael began to recall he was a social person and he could be vested in other people. “Working with SCL, Michael became a happier person,” Cindy said.

Debbie and Cindy have called the SCL team “Angels.”

“I don’t know what we would have done or where we would have been without any of them,” Debbie explained. With the help of SCL, Michael came out of his shell and began living again.

Unfortunately, Michael’s new-found happier life was short-lived. Michael passed away at his apartment on June 27, 2011.

Bruce Borrett was with Cindy when they found Michael. The family remains grateful to SCL staff for the support they offered

to Michael. “Goodwill services are there for you. That says it all,” Debbie wrote.

By giving some of Michael’s favorite items to Goodwill and setting up a fund in his memory, the women hope to keep Michael’s memory alive.

They also plan to compile a book of Michael’s short stories — stories with captivating titles like “A Cabin in the Woods” and “A Man of Honor.” Michael had always been interested in writing, and his focus renewed while he was in prison.

The sisters feel strongly that by publishing a book, Michael’s work might be shared with those he had come to know during the months he was renewing his life.

F I S H I N G , F R I E N D S , S U P P O R T

Michael Knapp Rebuilds Life with Goodwill’s Help Supported Community Living Staff Praised

IN WORKSthe

www.goodwillheartland.org find us on Fall 2011

A self portrait of Michael Knapp in spring of 2011.

Jeff NockPresident & CEO

Dear Friend,

Many of us take for granted our ability to manage our daily household activities and responsibilities. Though we may begrudge paying our bills, we do it; grocery shopping is a chore, not a fear or overwhelming physical task. Not everyone is so fortunate.

Supported Community Living is a service we provide to many people striving to maintain their independence in their homes. These people have disabilities but with support from our caring staff, they are able to live on their own rather than in a government funded facility. Knowing which bills to pay when is

not an easy task for many of us but is truly difficult for many of the people we serve in this program. In addition, we can help with how to maintain a lawn or sweep a sidewalk aftera snowfall.

The public tends to see our stores and think of them as Goodwill. Our team does so much more beyond the stores to help people overcome their barriers to independence.

Thank you for your continued support of Goodwill!

Jeff NockPresident & CEO

1410 S. First Ave.Iowa City, IA 52240Return Service Requested

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 415

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Bettendorf Store2333 Cumberland Square Drive563-344-9431

Burlington Store165 W. Burlington Ave.

Cedar Rapids Donation Center802 34th Street SE319-862-0476

Cedar Rapids East Store5520 Council Street NE319-378-0393

Cedar Rapids West Store2000 Scotty Drive SW319-654-9585

Clinton Store1015 13th Avenue North563-519-0156

Coralville Store2551 Heartland Place319-545-6581

Davenport Store5360 Villa Drive563-823-1790

DeWitt Donation Center1416 11th. St.563-659-2611

Fairfield Store2005 W. Burlington Ave.641-469-3085

Goodwill Reboot1410 S First Ave.319-248-0020

Iowa City Store985 Highway 6 East319-337-3548

Marion Store3202 7th Avenue319-373-0480

Moline Store4241 Avenue of the Cities309-736-3039

Muscatine Store2001 Cedar Plaza Drive563-264-1947

Rock Island Store4664 44th Street309-786-1220

Washington Store312 E. Washington Street319-653-2548

Goodwill StoreS and donation SiteS:

In The Works is published by Goodwill of the Heartland, a not-for-profit organization serving southeast Iowa and the Quad City area. Goodwill is accredited by CARF International.

A United Way Agency.

Terri Davis, ChairShuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C.Cedar Rapids

Elizabeth Schott, Vice ChairSourceMedia GroupCedar Rapids

David Bywater, TreasurerTru-Art Color GraphicsIowa City

Ken Urmie, SecretaryMidWestOne BankIowa City

Rick AndersonDeere & CompanyMoline

Rose DonnellyRockwell CollinsCedar Rapids

Matthew FraschtUniversity of Iowa Community Credit UnionCoralville

Charles Helms, M.D., Ph.D.University of Iowa Hospitals & ClinicsIowa City

Dale KretschmarCedar Rapids

Julie KunkelHills Bank and Trust Co.Coralville

Mark Moser University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Iowa City

Tom RocklinUniversity of IowaIowa City

Paul RumlerQuad Cities Chamber of CommerceDavenport

Ang TaakeEvergreen Packaging EquipmentCedar Rapids

Gregs ThomopulosStanley Consultants, Inc.Muscatine

Tom WerderitschSelzer Werderitsch AssociatesIowa City

Jeff Nock (Ex Officio)Goodwill of the Heartland

Goodwill Board of Directors

2011-2012LINDA MOHR FINDS HER WAY WITH GOODWILL SUPPORT

SCL Assists in RecoveryWoman Leads Fuller, Richer Life

Linda Mohr of Marion is a survivor, and Goodwill’s

Supported Community Living (SCL) Program offers her a lifeline for living a fuller life.Linda’s life crumbled a few years ago after a series of life events—including fractured family relationships and verbal abuse followed by a mental breakdown and a messy divorce. This left Linda with more than she could handle on her own, and the team from Goodwill® of the Heartland stepped in to help.

During weekly visits, Goodwill SCL staff members assist Linda with planning her daily schedule and support her at her many medical appointments. SCL staff members regularly accom-pany Linda to appointments and take notes regarding physician instructions to assure that she can interact with the physicians without worrying about remembering all the information presented.

The SCL team supports Linda with budgeting, money management needs and helps her deal with daily issues. For example, the team worked with Linda’s previous landlord to rectify safety concerns related to the buildup of ice on steps at her former two-story apartment and eventually helped Linda move after she decided to relocate.

Sitting today, in her spacious, comfortable apartment, Linda talks about her feelings for SCL. “Goodwill staff members help me somewhat like you would expect from family,” she said. That is particularly important for Linda right now because she is estranged from her two sons.

The SCL staff assures that Linda has opportunity for social interactions, which is important since high anxiety levels make even the most casual interactions very difficult.

Through the Social Outreach and Recreation Program coordinated by the SCL staff, Linda has the opportunity to participate in group events in a safe, structured environment. The group has gone bowling, on picnics, and to shows at Theatre Cedar Rapids, to name a few.

Linda is the first to share that she is not the independent person she used to be. Before the onset of her illness, Linda served on her town’s City Council, she worked as special education teacher and was finishing her master’s degree. “Goodwill is really the best thing that has happened to me recently,” she said with a sigh.

Today, Linda takes slow steps to live her new life more fully. She spoils her cats and two small dogs that live with her in the immaculate apartment, feeds the birds in a small clearing at the edge of the woods, relishes

watching a doe and two fawns that sometimes venture out of the woods for tidbits, and tends the multiple flower beds she has established along her building.

“This is the best I’ve ever been, and it is all because of the support of Goodwill,” she said.

Linda Mohr’s pets calmly wait for the photo session to come to a close.

Goodwill of the Heartland Names Jason Toms as VP Retail Operations Goodwill of the Heartland has named Jason Toms as its Vice President of Retail Operations, overseeing Goodwill’s 13 retail stores and the processes to stock its stores with donated goods.

Toms, a Cedar Rapids resident and native of Tucson, Arizona, most recently was employed as the General Manager at the Old Navy Store at Coral Ridge Mall in

Coralville and has 20 years’ experience with GAP, Inc.

Among his goals for Goodwill’s retail divi-sion is the enhancement of the customer’s store experience. “We want customers to have a consistent experience from store to store,” he said.

Coming to work in retail at Goodwill® is a dream job for Toms, who had worked with Goodwill trainees while managing the Old Navy Store. Toms said he is a firm believer in the mission of Goodwill.

In his years of experience with GAP, Toms has noticed changes in customer shopping habits. “Customers are trending to value in retail versus high end,” Toms said. Across

the spectrum, the Goodwill Store included, customers are seeking value and quality.

“Bringing Jason on as a member of the team at Goodwill benefits both the organization and our shoppers,” said Jeff Nock, president and CEO of Goodwill of the Heartland. “We will draw upon Jason’s more than 20 years of retail experience to grow our retail division and to expand our Goodwill mission,” he said.

Revenues from Goodwill retail sales and recycling efforts provide funding for programs and services, including job skills training, on-the-job support, independent living support, social and recreational opportunities, work experience, and transition training for high school students.

Jason Toms