Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

L to R: Ohio Representative Margaret Conditt with Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum.

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s President and CEO, Joe Byrum, was pleased to welcome State Representative Margaret Conditt to the organization’s corporate headquarters on Friday, May 24th for a comprehensive tour of its programs and services. Conditt represents House District 52 which is Liberty Township in Butler County. Through its partnership with the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Goodwill serves several hundred individuals at both its Fairfield satellite location as well as its main campus.

The Representative learned about Goodwill’s skill training, job placement and coaching services as well as its Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) where individuals are able to engage in enrichment opportunities of their choice. On Fridays, cooking classes take place in the CARE program and individuals were busily involved in making a banana cream pie during her visit. In addition, the Representative toured Work Adjustment, the Production building and visited the Veterans dormitory and learned about the extensive programs for both veterans and their families as well as individuals served in partnership with the County Boards of Developmental Disabilities as well as the Rehabilitation Services Commission.

“I am really amazed and pleasantly surprised to learn about the outstanding nature of Goodwill’s programs and services,” said Representative Conditt following the conclusion of the tour. “As a advocate for our nation’s veterans, I am especially pleased to see the work Goodwill is doing to help veterans get back in the workforce,” added Conditt. The Representative has recently co-sponsored a bill in the House to help veterans with military training in specific skill areas to have that training acknowledged in the civilian world as opposed to having to start over once discharged.

Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks Representative Conditt for her important visit to the organization’s corporate headquarters and her work on behalf of Ohio’s citizens.

On May 16th, advocates from Goodwill organizations nationally participated in Goodwill’s Annual Advocacy Day in support of better job opportunities for U.S. workers. Goodwill advocates met with hundreds of lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to protect investments that leverage Goodwill’s infrastructure, resources and expertise in job training and employment. The event is the centerpiece of Goodwill Industries International’s seventh annual Advocacy Day.

“The nation’s unemployment picture is slowly improving after the most difficult labor period in a generation,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO, Goodwill Industries International “Nonetheless, we are continuing to see increased demand for our job training and employment services, which are being threatened by government spending restrictions. Now is the time for Goodwill advocates to inform members of Congress about the ongoing need for job services, especially for those Americans who face challenges to gaining or maintaining employment.”

Among the high-priority items for Ohio Valley Goodwill and the other independent Goodwill agencies from around the country are:
• The Charitable Deduction – The work of organizations such as Goodwill is made possible by the generosity of Americans whose donations support charitable causes.

Proposals to limit the charitable giving incentive in order to increase government revenues are likely to reduce resources for charities at a time when resources are shrinking and service requests are increasing.
• Non-defense Discretionary Funds – While retail operations generate the bulk of the funding that Ohio Valley Goodwill and other Goodwill agencies need to provide employment services, government resources are essential in making up the difference.

These resources have declined over the past decade, and Goodwill believes Congress should protect investments in employment and training programs rather than restrict them.

• The AbilityOne Program – The largest provider of employment opportunities for people who are blind or who have significant disabilities, the AbilityOne Program allows Ohio Valley Goodwill and more than 75 other community-based Goodwill agencies to collectively employ some 7,000 individuals.

These services are being negatively and disproportionately impacted by the government’s automatic spending cuts.
Become an advocate for individuals looking for meaningful employment. Write your local Member of Congress to take immediate action today:
http://www.goodwill.org/get-involved/advocate/action-center/

On behalf of Ohio Valley Goodwill locally, we appreciate your support which has allowed us to serve men and women with disabilities and our nation’s veterans in the Greater Cincinnati area for more than 97 years. It is your generous donations to Goodwill that help us put people to work!

The legislator was also interested to see the many programs offered to individuals served through our partnerships with County Boards of Developmental Disabilities as well as the Rehabilitation Services Commission.

Mr. Retherford was very cordial in meeting all of the Goodwill staff team members as well as program participants and noted that he was very impressed with the operations. “I am very pleased to find out more about Goodwill and the economic impact that the organization has in helping people go to work in our community,” said the Representative.

Mr. Retherford’s visit was especially timely as today is National Advocacy Day on the part of Goodwill organizations at the nation’s capitol. “We’re all about helping people go to work- whether its veterans or others trying to find employment,” said Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer.

For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/services.

L to R: Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer with Representative John Becker.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome State Representative John Becker to its corporate headquarters on Friday, May 10th. The newly-elected legislator resides in Clermont County and is the Representative for the 65th House District which includes northwest Clermont County. The Goodwill team had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Becker in April during Goodwill Statehouse Day and extended a cordial invitation to tour the organization’s headquarters.

Goodwill team members, Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer, and Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist provided the comprehensive tour which focused on the organization’s programs and services for people with disabilities as well as our nation’s veterans. “I am pleased to find out more about the extent of Goodwill’s services and especially as they relate to our military heroes,” said Representative John Becker.

The Goodwill team was also happy to have the opportunity to provide more information about its new Clermont County Eastside program which is celebrating its second anniversary in August. The precedent-setting program is a collaborative agreement between both the Clermont and Hamilton County Boards of Developmental Disabilities to work with Goodwill in providing services to individuals that reside in both Clermont and the east side of Hamilton County. “We are honored that the Representative was able to make time in his busy schedule to visit our corporate headquarters,” said Michael Flannery, Public Information Officer.

The legislative visit was timely as it marked the official conclusion of the National Goodwill Week celebration, which is held during the first full week in May each year.

State Representative Louis Terhar and his wife, State Board of Education President, Debe Terhar.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome State Representative Louis Terhar and his wife Debe to the organization’s corporate headquarters on Monday, May 6th for the official start of National Goodwill Week. Historically, the first full week in May is dedicated to celebrating Goodwill and its mission of service to the community. The Representative and his wife were provided a comprehensive tour of the organization’s headquarters and were fascinated to learn more about its diverse programs and services.

A member of the Military and Veteran Affairs committee for the Ohio House of Representatives, Mr. Terhar was very impressed with the Goodwill program for Veterans which offers transitional housing, skill training, job placement as well as follow-along case management services. Debe Terhar is the current President of the Ohio State Board of Education and was intrigued to know more about Goodwill’s work with local school districts in transition planning as well as about the organization’s award-winning Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) program. The Representative and his wife were also pleased to have the opportunity to learn about Goodwill’s skill training, work evaluation, job coaching and placement services and to talk with Supervisors, Nancy VanderWoude and Laura Kumler.

“It was certainly a pleasure and very informative for both of us to find out more about Goodwill’s many programs for veterans and individuals with disabilities,” said the Representative before leaving. Goodwill was delighted to welcome its very special guests this week and looks forward to their support of the organization in the future.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to participate in two Earth Day events held in Greater Cincinnati this week in honor of the annual celebration. On Monday, April 22nd and in recognition of Earth Day, George Palmer, Goodwill’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing participated in an event held at the Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center where a dozen other exhibitors helped visitors learn more about effective ways to recycle and help the environment. Other participants in this event included Greenworks, Metro, VRide, Matthew 25 Ministries, as well as divisions of the VA and other local organizations. The event reached out to more than 400 individuals and helped to recognize the significance of how every day can be Earth Day when we choose to recycle!

Again on Wednesday, April 24th, Palmer was a exhibitor at the Earth Day Fair held at Procter & Gamble’s Fabric and Home Care Innovation Center in St. Bernard, where more than 500 staff and visitors participated in the day-long event to learn more about ways individuals and families can effectively recycle in their homes and offices. Joining Goodwill were representatives from Rumpke, The Ohio State University-Hamilton Co. Extension, Hamilton County Soil & Water, the Energy Alliance, Gorman Heritage Farm, Hamilton County Parks, Green Umbrella and other organizations. “Goodwill is always pleased to participate in Earth Day activities like this because it helps individuals and groups to better understand how our organization is really an important part of the recycling process and that we’ve been doing so for a very long time,” said Palmer. Goodwill also recycles computers and electronic waste through its Dell Reconnect program, which it has been a participant in for well over a year. In the past year, Ohio Valley Goodwill has recycled more than a million pounds of computers and electronic product.

Goodwill is always happy to participate in Earth Day activities because it helps to make the connection between recycling and Goodwill’s mission of using donations of clothing and household items to meet its important mission of putting people to work! Donations to Ohio Valley Goodwill are sold in its network of 15 retail stores and the income that is realized is used to provide programs and services for men and women with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. Goodwill thanks the Greater Cincinnati area for its support!

Ohio Valley Goodwill team members, Joe Byrum, President and CEO, George Palmer, Director of PR and Marketing and Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist, spent the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, April 23rd participating in the 2013 Statehouse Day and Legislative Reception, sponsored by the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries. Held bi-annually, the day-long event is designed to provided Goodwill members with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their elected representatives regarding the organization’s mission of service, economic impact, and legislative priorities. In addition, newly elected members that have not yet toured the Goodwill headquarters are cordially invited for a personal tour following the meeting.

The 2013 Statehouse Day resulted in meetings with Representatives Becker, Retherford, Terhar and Conditt as well as a host of other legislators during the evening’s reception event. The Goodwill team members provided a comprehensive overview of the organization’s programs and services, populations served, economic impact and legislative concerns during each interaction during the advocacy day event. Of particular note during this year’s discussions was the recent budget amendment passed by the House which leaves the door open for further evaluation of options for health care coverage including Medicaid expansion.

The Cincinnati Goodwill team members then joined with representatives of the other 15 Goodwill organizations throughout the state of Ohio for the Legislative Reception which is held in the Capitol Club. Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers, cocktails and conversation while listening to the sounds of the pianist for the evening’s festivities. “We certainly look forward to the chance to meet and talk with our elected representatives about the relevance of the Goodwill mission in the state of Ohio and explain our legislative priorities,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO.

The Statehouse Day event provides a platform for continued advocacy and education opportunities for Ohio Goodwills and their elected officials. Our thanks to Columbus Goodwill and SZD Whiteboard for their coordination of the 2013 OAGI Legislative Reception.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to present the “Great Spring Clean Out” event at Northgate Mall on April 19, 20 and 21 with partners Clear Channel Media & Entertainment and radio stations 55 KRC, 700 WLW and KISS 107. During the three day donation drive, Ohio Valley Goodwill was happy to collect more than 15,000 pounds of clothing and household goods at the special Northgate Mall donation trailer. “We were so pleased with the response that we received from the local community especially during this time when donations are down and we need contributions to help fill our stores,” said George Palmer, Goodwill’s PR and Marketing Director. “The special Earth Day event helped to bring about an awareness of how donating to Goodwill is actually a great way to recycle responsibly and help your community at the same time,” explained Palmer.

On Saturday, April 20th the radio stations took turns helping to promote the special donation drive and handed out coupons for Domino’s pizza, passed out chips from Husman’s, gave out Pepsi products, and even passed out free coupons for Gold Star Chili coneys to excited donors as they stopped by to make donations for Goodwill.

Ohio Valley Goodwill appreciates the efforts of its sponsors of this special springtime event and to the many contributors who came by during the three days to offer contributions for Goodwill. Every donation to Goodwill helps to support programs and services that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, homeless veterans and others with barriers to employment. Last year (2012), Ohio Valley Goodwill served more that 2,900 men and women and placed 824 individuals into competitive community employment. Goodwill thanks the Greater Cincinnati community for its on-going support!

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries is happy to announce that it is teaming up with Clear Channel Media & Entertainment and Northgate Mall to present the “Great Spring Clean Out” donation drive at the mall from Friday, April 19th thru Sunday, April 21st. Donors are encouraged to bring their gently used contributions to the Goodwill trailer located near the Colerain Avenue parking lot where Goodwill staff will assist them on Friday and Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm and on Sunday, from 9 am to 6 pm. On Saturday, April 20th, radio personalities from stations 55KRC, WLW and KISS 107 will be on hand to help promote the donation drive, offer free food – including coupons for free cheese coneys from Gold Star Chili, and offer fun and games for the entire family!

“We are so excited to join with Clear Channel Media & Entertainment and their stations, as well as Northgate Mall to offer this springtime donation drive to help Goodwill with our mission to help put people to work, said George Palmer, Goodwill’s Public Relations and Marketing Director. “Donations are so very important to the work that we do and to the people that we serve,” mentioned Palmer.

So look around your home and clear some closets to bring those unwanted items to the “Great Spring Clean Out” at Northgate Mall on April 19th thru 21st. You’ll feel good about helping Goodwill with its mission to help people with disabilities and homeless veterans, plus, you’ll get a jump start on your spring cleaning as well!

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Oakley store as well as a group of its employees and program participants were delighted to be featured on the cover of the January issue of Hyde Park Living magazine. The cover story, written by freelance reporter Julie Isphording, explains the connection between Goodwill’s network of retail stores and its mission of putting people to work. In an interview with Goodwill Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, the relationship between shopping, donating and helping individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans achieve personal success is comprehensively described. When asked about the most rewarding part of working at Goodwill, Hannon responded “Watching people feel good about who they are and what they are able to achieve…[and] the fact that this achievement is made possible with support from the community makes it just that more gratifying.”

Pictured on the cover of the Hyde Park Living issue are members of Goodwill’s Retail and Oakley store team as well as members of its award-winning Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) program, Eddie Morgan, Kristine Agoston and Colin Harbaugh. The Goodwill “models” were thrilled to be part of the effort to share the important story of the organization and to help show how stores and donations help to support its vital programs and services for individuals in the Greater Cincinnati community.

Goodwill has partnered with former Olympian and freelance writer Julie Isphording for the past three years as part of the annual Thanksgiving Day Race to start the largest “starting line coat drive” in America. The organization sponsors two donation stations annually which allows racers to share their spirit of giving as they shed their clothes throughout the 10k race event. “We are so happy to have this wonderful relationship with Julie,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist. “She has become such an advocate of Goodwill on many levels- she loves the great deals at our Oakley store and she has helped us use the Thanksgiving Day Race as a platform to further communicate our mission to the community,” added Hannon.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to Hyde Park Living magazine and reporter, Julie Isphording, for their wonderful cover story about “Spreading Goodwill.” Copies of Hyde Parking Living magazine can be found at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Rookwood Commons.