Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

It was all hands on deck for the 2009 Guild-sponsored Thanksgiving luncheon on Tuesday, November 24th. Goodwill’s Guild is a volunteer organization that sponsors special events throughout the year for the individuals that Goodwill serves. The Guild in partnership with Goodwill’s staff team served over 700 meals to a large group of hungry but appreciative participants.

“It’s always a major production in terms of organizing this event,” said George Palmer, PR Director and luncheon volunteer. “But everyone really enjoys the meal and the opportunity to socialize on this special holiday,” added Palmer.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to its volunteer Service Guild for its on-going generosity and support of the individuals the organization serves as well as its staff team members.

L to R: Melinda Gabelman, Advocate and Aimee Rittner, OVGI Supervisor

In partnership with several other human service organizations, Ohio Valley Goodwill presented testimony to Cincinnati City Council opposing proposed fare increases for public transportation at a public hearing on the evening of November 18th. Goodwill representatives provided Council members with compelling evidence that imposing increases of more than 167% in some cases, would unfairly punish those citizens least able to afford the hikes.

Goodwill supervisor, Aimee Rittner, along with advocate, Melinda Gabelman explained to Council members and Mayor Mallory that Goodwill’s mission is to help people with disabilities to become productive, contributing, involved members of their community and approving exorbitant fare increases only creates overwhelming obstacles to that goal.

Thanks to the advocacy efforts of Goodwill and the other partner organizations in attendance, City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that removed the original proposed rate hikes for Access; a specialized transportation service for individuals with disabilities. In addition, City Council voted not to impose service reductions, which was part of the original recommendation. Council did approve rate increases for the regular Metro service and corresponding 12% service reductions, which will impact all transit riders but not the sweeping rate hikes which would have led to imminent job losses for many individuals.

In Melinda’s poignant remarks made to Council, she stated “I just want the chance to go to work every day like everybody else.” Ohio Valley Goodwill commends its advocate team and partner agencies for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the disability community.

Sharon Hannon, OVGI Marketing Specialist

Ohio Valley Goodwill was one of the many participants at the 2009 Ohio Provider Resource Association (OPRA) Collaboration Symposium held on Tuesday, November 17th in Columbus, Ohio. The first-ever event was organized to showcase examples of successful collaborative efforts in this age of ever-shrinking financial resources.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was asked to attend to present information about its partnership in the Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance (CARA group); a non-profit organization supported by Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS).

Goodwill Marketing Specialist, Sharon Hannon, explained to state-wide county board and other provider representatives, that the CARA group exists to promote awareness and community involvement of individuals with disabilities and to raise funds to meet their unmet life enhancement needs.

The day-long Collaboration Symposium focused on examples state-wide of how provider organizations have worked in partnership with county boards to maximize resources and serve their constituencies effectively despite overwhelming economic challenges.

Service Guild Presents Annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon (Pictured left to right):

Tim Mashburn, Sue Burrison, Goodwill Service Guild, JoAn Armour, Goodwill Service Guild, William Olverson.

The Service Guild of Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries presented its annual Veterans Day Luncheon on Monday, November 9th. Twenty-four veterans and seven staff members from Goodwill’s Special Projects department participated in the special luncheon. This is the second year that the Service Guild volunteers have presented the special luncheon for Goodwill’s veterans. Most of the veterans are who are employed at Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries are individuals enrolled in Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP). Service Guild volunteers were also joined by their spouses, many of whom are also retired veterans. “We so enjoy preparing this special luncheon as a way to thank our veterans for all that they have done for our country and as a way to thank them for our freedom,” said Sue Burrison, Service Guild volunteer and event organizer.

The Goodwill Service Guild is a long-standing volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support for Goodwill programs and services and to communicate Goodwill’s message to the Greater Cincinnati community. The group is involved in many fundraising activities during the year and provides a variety of special events for individuals served by Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries. Goodwill’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program has been actively serving the needs of veterans since the early 1990’s and last year (2008), provided service to over 550 veterans. The HVRP program offers temporary housing, vocational training, job placement services, life skill training and other services designed to assist veterans in their quest for independence.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to announce the debut of its 2009 What Matters Most Fashion Show Photo Gallery on its corporate website. The new Fashion Show photo gallery captures the highlights of the highly successful event which took place October 28th in support of long-time partner, Hamilton County DD Services.The images provided by photographer, Kevin Lawson, provide the viewer with insights into the rehearsal, the hair and make-up process, the fashions, and finally the show itself.

Please take a moment to enjoy this very important Fashion Show event which was designed to showcase the ambitions and abilities of all individuals with developmental disabilities. Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates CARA (Community Ambassadors Resource Alliance), all of the show sponsors as well as the amazing models who made the 2009 What Matters Most Fashion Show a stunning success!

“Ohio Valley Goodwill proudly displayed large “Thank You” banners this morning across Levy campaign signs at its Hamilton County locations in recognition of the 68% approval of the HCMR/DD Levy. “We could not be more delighted with the outcome of this year’s election,” said Joe Byrum, Goodwill President and CEO. “We are very grateful to the voters of Hamilton County for their support of this critical levy that provides funding for the next five years for citizens with developmental disabilities,” added Byrum.

Ohio Valley Goodwill serves almost 500 individuals with developmental disabilities annually through its long-time partnership with Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services and was heavily involved in this year’s campaign effort.

Ohio Valley Goodwill thanks its supporters for their help in passing Issue 5, the MR/DD Levy.

The Hamilton County Board of MR/DD celebrated the successful passage of their 2009 Levy campaign in the best way possible. Superintendent Cheryl Phipps personally removed the “MR” from the organization’s name on the front of their headquarters this morning in front of hundreds of cheering supporters. The new name of the organization will now be Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates the newly re-named Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services organization and all citizens with developmental disabilities!

Monday, November 2nd marked the date for two major Honk n Wave celebrations hosted by Ohio Valley Goodwill in support of the Hamilton County MR/DD Services Levy. The first took place at Goodwill’s Westwood satellite location at 12 noon. The Westwood team had so many volunteers for this particular event, that they decided to have two different shifts for the lunchtime Honk n Wave. “The response to our wavers was very positive,” said Michelle Ruschman, Westwood supervisor.

Later in the day, a second Honk n Wave was held at Ohio Valley Goodwill’s corporate headquarters in Woodlawn. Attracting more than 30 exuberant volunteers, the rush hour Honk n Wave team was greeted with loud and positive responses from passing motorists. “Ohio Valley Goodwill is delighted to have the opportunity to support our long-time partner, Hamilton County MR/DD, and the thousands of individuals we mutually serve,” said Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist.

The point of the traditional Honk n Wave celebrations is to urge community support of important issues such as Issue 5, the Mental Retardation Services Levy. Please remember to vote and vote yes in support of more than 8000 families in Hamilton County.