Goodwill of Central Arizona

The temperature is rising here in Central Arizona and so are the number of great stories we want to share with you!

Goodwill of Central Arizona is continuing to grow and 2006 is proving to be a great year for creating hope, jobs and futures in our community through Goodwill's programs and services for adults, youth, students, and job seekers.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Goodwill’s E-Formant newsletter and its great articles about the successes of our participants, students, staff, and the up-and-coming locations for our retail store shoppers and donors.

Thank you for continuing to support Goodwill, it is through YOUR generous donations and support that Goodwill of Central Arizona is able to grow and provide these services to our community!

Save the Date Now

For the sixth annual “Evening of Goodwill”!

Saturday, October 7, 2006
The Phoenician Resort, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale
6 p.m. Registration, Cocktails, Silent Auction and live entertainment by Corporate Affair
7:30 p.m. Dinner, Awards, and Dancing to the tunes of Corporate Affair

Presented by:

and

Now entering its sixth year, the Evening of Goodwill is dedicated to honoring individuals and organizations supportive of and benefiting from Goodwill of Central Arizona’s mission to create hope, jobs and futures for individuals with barriers to employment.

You’ll be welcomed to our annual fundraising gala with the classic rock and jazz tunes of Corporate Affair, featuring world famous trumpeter Jesse McGuire. After mingling with other guests and enjoying some friendly competition for various silent auction items, including vacation packages with airfare, you'll enjoy an elegant dinner and listen to inspiring stories from our honorees. Guests will top off the evening with a visit to the dance floor accompanied by the music of Corporate Affair.

Proceeds from the sixth annual Evening of Goodwill will benefit the Goodwill of Central Arizona Postsecondary Scholarship fund that was established in 2004 by Goodwill’s Board of Directors and Ruth & Hartley Barker. This fund will make it possible for graduates of Goodwill's programs to gain additional training in their quest for economic independence.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Raffle Sponsor		Printing Sponsor

Collateral Supporter
Park & Co.

Table Sponsorships start at $2,000; Individual tickets $225 or $400 per couple.

Event tickets will be available starting in August and raffle tickets for a grand prize trip package to Las Vegas and second prize package to San Diego will be available in all retail stores begining in August!

Call 602.416.6145 or e-mail registration@goodwillaz.org for more information.

Eugenia dropped out of high school at the age of 15 to assist in the care of her infant niece. Determined to obtain her education and ultimately become a prenatal nurse, she researched options for homebound education assistance and in June 2004, enrolled in Goodwill’s Maricopa Workforce Connection (MWC) and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs.

With guidance from her MWC career advisor, Eugenia has rigorously studied at home and completed tutoring sessions. In October of 2005 her hard work paid off and she received her General Equivalency Diploma (GED); Eugenia then promptly applied to Mesa Community College (MCC).

After completing the necessary applications for government education grants to help fund her education, Eugenia was awarded enough grants to cover her full time enrollment, including any supplies she needed. She is now enrolled in her first semester of nursing prerequisites at MCC. Goodwill congratulates Eugenia for her dedication to her education and personal accomplishments!

Ebony entered Goodwill’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program in November 2005 having just recently relocated to Arizona. Coming into the program, Ebony already had a clear vision of her career goal – she wanted to become a professional hair stylist.

Ebony has consistently demonstrated a high level of responsibility by calling before appointments to see if she needed to bring anything and always showed up prepared. She has even come to her appointments with completed research on various cosmetology schools in the area. Together Ebony and her career advisor located a school that they felt confident would help achieve her goals. She is now enrolled at the International Academy of Hair Design and after a couple of weeks enthusiastically stated, “I love it!”

Another accomplishment Ebony can be proud of is that after applying for a position at a local retail store, she was hired the very next day! We are proud of Ebony for her enthusiastic persuit of her education!

Phylinda enrolled in the Phoenix Workforce Connection (PWC) program through Goodwill’s partner agency Maricopa Center for Adolescent Parents (MCAP), in June 2005. Fortunately, she learned about the program through her aunt who knew she was looking for an opportunity to continue her education.

With two young children, obtaining her General Equivalency Diploma (GED) has been a priority to Phylinda. In addition to working towards her GED, she has been involved in parenting and life skills classes at MCAP; she sets goals in both classes each month and earns incentives along the way. Phylinda also participated in a Work Experience at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center in the medical records department. Her supervisor was so impressed by Phylinda that she was offered a permanent position.

Phylinda plans to attend Phoenix College to obtain her degree in nursing. We commend Phylinda for her achievements and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Attending Valley businesses were provided the opportunity to meet qualified applicants for their open positions, with some hiring up to 10 applicants on the spot, scheduling 87 interviews, and accepting as many as 158 resumes!

The job fair was attended by the following businesses: Discover Financial Services LLC, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen, U-HAUL, Securitas, Qwest, FedEx Ground, Arizona Department of Corrections, American Express, Childcare Careers, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Jobing.com, Circle K, Pointe Hilton Resorts, Home Instead Senior Care, and many others.

Goodwill’s Job Fairs and Career Centers provide local businesses the opportunity to recruit qualified candidates to fill open positions! For more information call 602.416.6149 or 602.416.6174

Goodwill’s Workforce Development (WFD) staff is dedicated to helping our participants recognize and create career paths that lead to brighter futures. Goodwill loves to promote from within! Here are a few WFD staff who proved themselves ready for new responsibilities.

Lisa Wilham began her career at Goodwill in 2000 as a case manager in youth services and one of the original staff working on Goodwill’s first Workforce Investment Act (WIA) grant. She was then promoted to a program coordinator, then to Director of Youth Services. Lisa has extensive knowledge and experience in working with youth and in the operation of workforce programs, so when the opportunity arose to interview for the Vice President of Workforce Development, she applied and was promoted to fill this challenging role.

Jennifer Baier is now the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Jennifer moved into this position from Performance Information Director and previously as Coordinator of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Her ethics, thoughtful decision making, and dedication to Goodwill’s mission have elevated her to this position.

Teri Mylott wanted to work at Goodwill, so she entered our organization as an administrative assistant even though her skills were more in line with rehabilitation programmatic services. Teri proved her ability to understand the complicated systems with rehabilitation services and is now the Program Coordinator dedicated to our ValueOptions contract that provides services to persons with mental disabilities.

Carlos Encinas works at the Yuma workforce development location – the southwest corner of Goodwill of Central Arizona’s service territory. Carlos never said “it’s not my job”, instead he stepped up whenever there was a need and went above his designated job description. His willingness to go the extra mile has resulted in a promotion to Employment Specialist.

These promotions are great examples of career advancement opportunities available at Goodwill of Central Arizona. To apply for an open position at Goodwill visit www.goodwillaz.org.

Goodwill Recognizes Outstanding Achievements

Goodwill celebrated the success of our staff
and clients at an Annual Awards Banquet
on Thursday, April 6th at the Mesa Hilton.
It was an evening to recognize the outstanding achievements of our clients, staff, and volunteers, and to thank individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the mission of Goodwill.

Award recipients:

Felipe Gomez - Youth Participant of the Year
Yolanda Johnson - Adult Participant of the Year
Steven Klinger - e-cademie High School Student of the Year
Circle K - Workforce Development Employer of the Year
City of Phoenix - Workforce Development Community Partner of the Year
Maricopa Workforce Connection - Workforce Development Program of the Year
Goodman & Schwartz Public Affairs - Retail Community Partner of the Year
Sun City Store - Store of the Year
e-cademie & Youth Services - Teamwork Award
Steve Ingram - Manager of the Year
Regina Mitzel - Employee of the Year
Ron Quagliata - Employee of the Year
Michael A. Pollack - Helmsman Award

Congratulations to all of Goodwill of Central Arizona’s award winners!

Goodwill’s Facilities department is seeing its busiest summer ever with a record number of new Goodwill Retail stores under construction simultaneously. “We have three stores under construction, soon to be four.” states Goodwill Facilities Director, Kim Ryder, “We are working on new stores at 19th Avenue and Bell Road, 7th Street and Union Hills, a new Yuma location, and soon a 16th Street and Indian School location.”

We plan to open at least five new Goodwill stores before year-end, including a potential new Peoria Store. “The biggest challenge in meeting this goal is delays in receiving permits and inspections due to the vast amount of new construction that is happening around the Valley”, adds Ms. Ryder.

Kim speaks highly of the great team of individuals that participate in the new construction or remodeling of our Goodwill stores, “Goodwill’s Architect, Contractor, and Construction Crew all play crucial roles in the success of completing our retail locations – For example: it took another contractor 9 months to complete our prototype Warner & McQueen location, our Goodwill Team will complete a nearly identical store at Union Hills & 7th Street within 90 days!”

In August, look for our two newest stores at Union Hills & 7th St. and in Yuma

By Arturo Ortiz and Kristen Smith

In celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday. What better way to get your students involved in English literature than to bring the personalities they’re reading about to life!

e-cademie staff stepped into character to encourage student interest in one of history’s greatest authors on his birthday. Students enjoyed asking questions and seeing their favorite teachers adorned in costumes for an entire school day.

Students Give Back. Inspiration came to our students through a front page article in the newspaper about a little girl named Erika with severe disabilities and the struggles of her impoverished family to care for her. e-cademie students felt compassion for little Erika’s situation and took the initiative to do what they could to help.

The students organized and held a day long car wash with all proceeds of the event going directly to helping Erika and her family. Some student’s even collected money on their own through family and friends. Principal Arturo Ortiz proudly stated, “We think it’s impressive how the students have pulled together and shown great teamwork to help someone in need!”

2006 School Prom. e-cademie students, fully clad in their classiest formal attire (some in gowns and suits from Goodwill!), made their way to the Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown for “An Evening in New Orleans” Prom on April 28, 2006.

125 attending guests enjoyed dancing the evening away at the Mardi Gras themed celebration that included purple, green, and gold balloon arches, sequined top hats, and feathered masks.

e-cademie’s Largest Graduating Class! e-cademie’s Spring Commencement was held on May 25, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown. Since opening its doors in November 2004 this event represents the largest graduating class in its history with twenty-two graduates scheduled to be in attendance.

Along with receiving their diplomas for a job well done, the graduates also enjoyed the inspirational and motivating words of guest speaker and ardent Goodwill supporter, Michael A. Pollack. Congratulations Class of 2006!

FREE MEALS! The Summer Food Service Program presents the Free Meals Program sponsored by e-cademieHigh School. During the summer months through August 4, 2006, children 18 years and younger can come to the school at 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. for breakfast and for lunch 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. e-cademie is located at the Goodwill Main Campus in Phoenix at 417 N. 16th Street – 16th street between Van Buren and Roosevelt on Polk Street.

Enroll Today! Classes start August 14, 2006 with open enrollment throughout the school year! Call us for more information: 602.416.6400

Mark your calendars now for Goodwill’s newest retail locations scheduled to open August 2006.

Goodwill’s Grand Opening August 4, 2006 will mark its 30th Retail Thrift store! Located at Union Hills & 7th Street, the Grand Opening will include a weekend filled with drawings for prizes and family fun activities.

On August 11, 2006, Goodwill will open its second Yuma store at 4th Avenue & Catalina Drive. With the tremendous growth Yuma is experiencing, Goodwill is keeping pace to provide retail locations that fund workforce development services to the community.

Goodwill’s modern stores will feature a large selection of quality resale merchandise for the entire family at prices that won’t break the bank. All of Goodwill’s locations also accept tax-deductible donations of clothing, shoes, bedding items, house wares, electronics, toys, and accessories.

When you donate and shop at Goodwill you help support our mission to provide job skills training and job placement services for people with barriers to employment.