Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to be one of the 16 Goodwill organizations hosting the 2011 OAGI (Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries) Legislative Reception held in Columbus on Tuesday, March 29th. The prestigious event welcomes dozens of elected officials and their aides to speak with Goodwill representatives in their districts regarding the mission of the organization and current legislative concerns. Ohio Valley Goodwill President and CEO, Joe Byrum, had the opportunity to meet with more than 15 State Representatives, Senators and their respective aides during this year’s reception.

“The Legislative Reception is a wonderful forum to meet with our elected representatives in a social setting that allows Goodwill to share its story in a compelling and personal way,” said Joe Byrum, President and CEO. While many of this year’s guests have toured Ohio Valley Goodwill’s corporate headquarters in the village of Woodlawn, others have not yet had the opportunity. Invitations to visit were extended during the many discussions that took place during the event. Topics of interest included Goodwill’s economic impact on the State of Ohio through its job placement efforts and partnerships with businesses as well as the state budget.

The OAGI Legislative Reception is held on a regular basis to allow for the opportunity for elected officials to meet with Goodwill representatives in a setting that is convenient to the Ohio Statehouse.

Spring has sprung and nothing puts you more in the mood for a Golf Outing than green grass and warm sunshine. Ohio Valley Goodwill is eager to share that Spring feeling with all of its friends, as the organization prepares to send out official invitations to its 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing. The 2011 Goodwill Golf Outing is all NEW this year! In recognition of its 95th anniversary of service, Ohio Valley Goodwill has designed its 11th annual golf outing with our friends in mind.

Being held at the beautitful Glenview Golf Club on Thursday, June 9th, Ohio Valley Goodwill is hoping that everyone will want to be involved in this year’s celebratory event. This year’s outing welcomes the opportunity for volunteers, sponsors, players and supporters to participate in a variety of roles. The 2011 Golf Outing will tee off at 10:00 am sharp and will feature a Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop at the end of play along with a catered dinner, awards and the announcement of the Grand Prize Winner!

To find out more about the 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing, please visit our website at www.cincinnatigoodwill.org, Events page or call Sharon Hannon, at (513) 771-4800, ext. 6364.

Please join our celebrity host, Joe Walter, and his many friends to celebrate the 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing on Thursday, June 9th. The 2011 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing is presented by US Bank in partnership with Palmer Leasing, (Beverage Sponsor), Rumpke Recycling, (Cart Sponsor), Holthaus Signs, (Signage Sponsor), Loether’s, (Dinner Sponsor) and Blue Sky Creative, (Printing Sponsor). Please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org to see available sponsorship opportunities and/or to purchase a golf ball for the Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop.

Follow us on Facebook to watch golf ball sales soar as supporters try for their chance to win a large cash prize during the Spectacular Helicopter Ball Drop!

Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to welcome interested visitors to its New CARE West program on Thursday, March 24th during its first Open House event to celebrate the opening of the new site. Modeled after the organization’s award-winning Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) program, the new Westside satellite is located in the rear of the Advantage Bank Building at Harrison and Montana Avenues in the community of Westwood.

The official Open House was held to introduce the new CARE West program to the community and prospective referral sources. Special guests included Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) Service Facilitators and Directors, Parents, Transition Coordinators, Teachers and Advantage bank employees. Created in response to family request and community need, the new Westwood CARE program is designed to provide personal development activities for individuals served by long-time referral partner, Hamilton County DD Services. Guests had the opportunity to talk with Goodwill program staff members, transportation managers, as well as other interested visitors as they toured all of the areas of the new CARE West location.

A key feature of the new CARE program is community involvement and the whole idea of having fun! Individuals enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to participate in a host of activities that can include everything from social events to recreational outings to community volunteering.

The new CARE program offers door-to-door Goodwill van service as well as delegated nursing services and personal care assistance so that individuals interested in participating can be supported in whatever fashion is appropriate.

Goodwill’s Westwood Vocational Services Center Supervisor, Michelle Ruschman, is in charge of the new CARE program and she and an experienced staff team are excited about the many opportunities that are being offered in the new setting.

For a tour of the Westside CARE program, please contact Michelle Ruschman at 661-2333 or email: mruschman@cincigoodwill.org.

OVGI Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery

Ohio Valley Goodwill was honored to be recognized by Ohio Public Images (OPI) during an awards ceremony held on March 20th in partnership with the statewide County Board Association official luncheon. Goodwill’s video “Transitions” which was produced by Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, was singled out for the Ohio Public Images Award of Merit for Audio-Visual Production. The non-profit organization (OPI) was created to promote positive perceptions of people with developmental disabilities and Goodwill’s “Transitions” video was featured as a very positive example of conveying that message in an audio-visual format.

The video was produced by Flannery of behalf of Ohio Valley Goodwill in order to provide an overview of choices that individuals with disabilities could make in moving from the world of school into the larger community. In accepting the award afterwards, Flannery commented that Goodwill’s mission parallels that of Ohio Public Images in the sense that supporting the positive perceptions of individuals with disabilities is a primary focus of the organization.

The Goodwill team was also delighted to learn that the Style Guide developed by the Advocacy In Media (AIM) group, was singled out for recognition by Ohio Public Images. As the Public Information Officer for Goodwill, Flannery is very active with the AIM group which is dedicated to promoting the use of People First language annd respect for individuals with disabilities.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is very proud of its award-winning programs for individuals with disabilities and celebrates its most recent recognition during this, its 95th Anniversary of service in the Greater Cincinnati community.

L to R: front- Michael Goforth, Lisa Schneider, Aimee Rittner, Lois Kramer, Ranaye Hampton, rear (L to R) Mike Sweetin, Leslie McCurley, Michael Johnson, Katie Weitmarschen, Joe Byrum, CEO, Jim Jones, Steve Koons, Michael Flannery.

Sunday, March 20th marked the 17th annual Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BCBDD) Community Recognition awards event held at the Savannah Center in West Chester. This year’s celebration was made especially memorable because Ohio Valley Goodwill was selected to be honored as the 2011 “Agency Provider of the Year” in recognition of the quality of its programs and services. Both its Fairfield Vocational Services Center as well as its Community Access Supports programs were singled out for the prestigious recognition.

Under the leadership of Michael Goforth and Mike Sweetin, Goodwill’s Fairfield Vocational Services Center has attained a reputation for creating a culture of trust, integrity and mutual respect for the individuals they serve within the work training program. Goodwill’s Community Access Supports program under the direction of Aimee Rittner and Ranaye Hampton, is noteworthy for its responsiveness to individualized, choice-driven involvement in community activities. Accepting the award on behalf of Goodwill was President and CEO, Joseph Byrum. “On behalf of Ohio Valley Goodwill and the hundreds of Butler County residents that we support, thank you so much for this important recognition of our commitment to community involvement and program excellence,” said Byrum.

The evening was made even more memorable by the remarks made by Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, who served as Guest Speaker for the awards event. Laden with humor, Flannery’s comments regarding the power of people working together to effect change, brought the excited audience to their feet for a standing ovation.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is very grateful to the Butler County Board of DD for their recognition of its vital programs and services for individuals supported by the Board.

In celebration of its 95th anniversary of service in the Greater Cincinnati community, Ohio Valley Goodwill is excited to announce the official launch of its NEW Facebook organizational page! The new page features a special 95th anniversary coupon for all visitors who choose to “like” Goodwill. The organization decided to enter the world of social media on the occasion of its 95th year of service in an effort to expand its message to the millions of users of Facebook.

OVGI Facebook page administrators

Ohio Valley Goodwill’s new Facebook organizational page will include regular updates regarding special events, store and coupon promotions, donation opportunities, success stories, program spotlights and more. “Like” us today to stay in the loop about the latest updates and other special features.

The month of March was chosen as the official launch date for Ohio Valley Goodwill’s new Facebook page not only in honor of its 95th Anniversary Celebration but also because March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Goodwill has been providing employment, training and personal development services for individuals with disabilities throughout its 95 year history and works closely with the Rehabilitation Services Commission and local county boards of developmental disabilities in providing these services.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to its friends, supporters, loyal shoppers and donors for their on-going support of our important mission of service. We hope that you will visit our new Facebook page and “Like” us today!

The evening of March 7th was a momentous one in every way as Goodwill partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, hosted its 10th annual awards banquet. Held at the Sharonville Convention Center, this year’s event welcomed more than 550 eager guests. Ohio Valley Goodwill’s team was especially excited because several of its representatives were finalists in various award categories and because of their involvement in the evening’s surprise entertainment.

The theme for the 10th annual celebration was “It’s all about Relationships” and that message was carried out throughout the evening’s program. One of the highlights of the evening was a specially produced video which showcased HCDDS staff and friends performing a flash mob dance to the Black-Eyed Peas song, “I’ve Got A Feeling.” Following the conclusion of the video, to the surprise of all of the assembled guests, members of the CARA group took the stage to continue the dance performance “live.”

Following the entertainment aspects of the evening, Goodwill’s team was delighted to learn that three of its advocates, (individuals supported by the organization), were selected for recognition in various award categories. James Harley was honored to receive the Sue G. Breiner Self Advocate Award; Braxton Thomas was singled out for the Lynn K. Sundermann Personal Achievement Award; and Ron Martin for the Superintendent’s Award. Outstanding Achievement award finalist, Steve Koons, (Director of Rehabilitation Services), noted that he could not have been more pleased by the recognition of the three advocates supported by Goodwill.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates James, Braxton, Ron and Steve on their outstanding achievements and well-deserved recognition during the 2011 HCDDS Awards event.

click here to open invitation

The month of March marks the grand opening of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s newest satellite program located in the Westwood community. Modeled after the organization’s award-winning Center for Advocacy, Recreation and Education (CARE) program, the new Westside CARE program is located in the rear of the Advantage Bank Building at Harrison and Montana Avenues.

Created in response to family request and community need, the new Westwood CARE program is designed to provide personal development activities for individuals served by long-time referral partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS). A key feature of the new CARE program is community involvement and the whole idea of having fun! Individuals enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to participate in a host of activities that can include everything from social events to recreational outings to community volunteering.

The new CARE program offers door-to-door Goodwill van service as well as delegated nursing services and personal care assistance so that individuals interested in participating can be supported in whatever fashion is appropriate.

Long-time Goodwill Westwood Program Supervisor, Michelle Ruschman is in charge of the new CARE program and she and an experienced staff team are excited about the many opportunities that are being offered in the new setting. “We’ve been hearing from families in the area that they wanted more of a personal development, community-focused program for their family members and we’re thrilled that Goodwill now has that option available,” said Ruschman.

For a tour of the new Westside CARE program, please contact Michelle Ruschman at 661-2333 or email: mruschman@cincigoodwill.org.

An official Open House for the new CARE West program will be held Thursday, March 24th from 2:00-5:00 pm. Please RSVP to Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist, at shannon@cincigoodwill.org if you plan to attend. All interested are cordially invited to the Open House.

L to R, Sharon Hannon, Marketing Specialist and Leslie McCurley, Director of DD Services.

Saturday, March 5th marked the occasion of the 2011 Summer Adventures for All Kids Expo held at Tri-County Mall. The annual event provides an opportunity for families and interested individuals to find out about the many opportunities available for youth with disabilities who are not only looking for summer opportunities but also, services throughout the year. Ohio Valley Goodwill has been an enthusiastic exhibitor and supporter of the annual event since its inception 5 years ago.

L to R: Lisa Schneider, Asst. Manager and Lois Kramer, CARE Program Supervisor.

At this year’s Expo, hundreds of families visited with Goodwill representatives to talk about the many diverse programs and services that are offered by the organization including the Grand Opening of its new CARE West program. Visitors were excited to learn that referrals are currently being accepted and that an Open House is scheduled for March 24th.

Goodwill team members Leslie McCurley, Sharon Hannon, Lisa Schneider, and Lois Kramer represented the organization throughout the event and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with so many families about the many services that the organization is able to provide. Goodwill Public Information Officer, Michael Flannery, was also on-hand to talk with fathers of kids with disabilties and videotape the festivities.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to the Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren County Boards of Developmental Disabilities for the sponsorship of this important annual event designed to reach families in the Southwest Ohio region.