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Goodwill Industries, Inc.Serving Eastern Nebraska

& Southwest IowaGoodwillOmaha.org

June2014

Omaha Gives! Success

Omaha Gives! was yet another success for us. See

results and event details about the day of giving.

page 14

im Garrigus served in the Army Reserves and spent time in Iraq

during 2004 and 2005. After returning to civilian life, Tim lost his way. He fell into drug use and could not stick with a job for more than a month or two. In 2009, something brought Tim to Goodwill. He applied for a job and was hired into the AbilityOne Program. Tim said that he immediately felt accepted, and a connection with Goodwill.

Seeing his potential, his supervisors gave him opportunities and more responsibilities. He was quickly promoted to Team Lead, working alongside and training people with disabilities on custodial tasks.

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TIM GOESTO

WASHINGTONby Holly Schwietz

continued on page 12

Best Places To Work:

The results are in- A message from Frank and see the top

and bottom results from the Best Places to Work survey!

page 6

Tim Garrigus and Work Experience Coordinator Holly Schwietz stop for a photo in front of the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C.

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new employeesApril 2014

Shane Adams Grounds Maintenance VA Sally Arnold Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Nicole Balaban Retail Sales Associate II Bellevue Kaitlyn Banks Retail Sales Associate II Madison Susan Barber Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Brandon Bartlett Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Rose Bradley Custodian Zorinsky Lisa Brannon Clothing Proc/Hanger I West Center Delray Bryant Custodian Zorinsky Zoe Bullard Retail Sales Associate II 180th & Q Michael Burkhart Donation Door Attendant South Papillion Noah Chapa Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Jared Charles Retail Sales Associate II Blair Aundrea Clark Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Justine Conkey Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Michael Crawford Donation Door Attendant South Papillion Maribeth Cunningham Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Dylan Dailey Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Joan Des Jarlais Retail Sales Associate II Madison Toshie Douglas Retail Sales Associate II 78th & DodgeAndrea Faucher Retail Sales Associate II 180th & Q

NEW HIRES

The Clothes Line PUBLISHER: Frank McGreeEDITOR IN CHIEF: Rita Hamele CrumMANAGING EDITOR: Ann Bailey STAFF Writers: Brent Koster, Elizabeth Donner, Kris Pachunka, Rebecca Armstrong and Erin Swanson RussellFAN CLUB PRESIDENT: Josh Meyer

The Clothes Line is published monthly and is available at each Town Hall meeting. If you are unable to attend Town Hall, you may also find copies in the Marketing area at BPP, or request to have a copy delivered to you by calling 402.231.1912.

You may also find Clothes Line articles and full-issue digital downloads on the Goodwill Omaha website at http://www.goodwillomaha.org/publications.

WELCOME! Below is a list of all new employees that joined Goodwill in April. Please say hello and make them feel welcome as they begin their new positions with Goodwill, where our mission is to change lives and strengthen communities through education, training and work.

JUNE 2014

3

Mariah Faust Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Joseph Galvan Donation Door Attendant South Papillion Mark Green Donation Door Attendant South Papillion Jonathan Guill Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Carolyn Hardin Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Ashley Hatthorn Donation Door Attendant South Papillion Jordan Hawkins Custodian 72nd & F Shannon Hershey-Langdon Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Ablavi Homawoo Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Jordan Jewell Donation Door Attendant South Papillion Nathan Jorgenson Donation Door Attendant 180th & Q Shawn Kaea Grounds MaintenanceWorker 72nd & F Helen Kneisel Retail Sales Assoc III Gretna Connor Kramer Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Gary Lane Custodian Offutt Eric Martin Donation Door Attendant Fremont Alicia Norris Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion William Norskov Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Elsa Peraza Donation Door Attendant Southwest Kendall Phillips, Sr. Dock Worker I 72nd & F Sabrina Beverly Pulliam Retail Sales Associate II Southwest Rebecca Raumaker Assembler 72nd & F Taryn Schroeder Clothing Proc/Hanger I Blair William Speck, Jr. Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion De'Stacia Straughn Donation Door Attendant Southwest Jason Thompson Youth Career Specialist Ames Plaza Jessica Trusler Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Shelley Tucker Retail Sales Associate II Bellevue Gerald Wemhoff Grounds Maintenance Mgr Grand Island Pakawan Williams Retail Sales Associate II South Papillion Latasha Wills Clothing Proc/Hanger I 72nd & F Ian Wolf Retail Sales Associate II 156th & Maple Raymond Wright Clothing Proc/Hanger I South Papillion Donnetha Wright Adult Career Specialist Ames Plaza

new employeeS CON,

T.April 2014

NEW HIRES

4

1 Alyssa DeClue West Center2 Napoleon Drakeford Zorinsky4 Diana Roberts Postal 25 Michelle Ledbetter 156th & Maple6 James Coggins II 72nd & F6 Shannon Erwin Papillion6 Sherri Stewart Ames Plaza7 Daniel Wilwerding Harris Center7 Alexis Smith Blair8 Angela Houser Fremont9 Robin Tripp Zorinsky9 Christine Dougherty 72nd & F9 Nathan Kovar Gretna10 Bidur Kandel Papillion11 Anneliese Timmerman Southwest11 Candy Jura Offutt14 Tanya Zollicoffer 78th & Dodge15 Jennifer Croudy Benson Park Plaza15 Desiree Juelfs Gretna15 Sara Crawford Gretna16 Bradly Nelson Fremont17 Susan Paul Harris Center17 Brandon Swan 156th & Maple19 Walter Farley, Jr. Stratcom20 Linda Hiatt Gretna20 Kristi Banales Papillion22 Barbara Hatch Harris Center23 Pamela Bacon Blair24 Timothy Olive 72nd & F24 Brian Bare 72nd & F24 Jacqueline Hawkins 78th & Dodge24 Brenda Powell Gretna25 Kyle Fountain Southwest26 Marcia Oltmanns Benson Park Store

26 Daniel Brackhan Denney27 Dale Plessner Harris Center27 Zinhoue Legonou 180th & Q27 Christina Coffin West Center27 Kathleen McCarthy Madison 27 Divona Brye Harris Center28 Jaime Alencastro West Center28 Ian Rau Gretna29 Joe Montenegro Zorinsky29 De'Stacia Straughn Southwest30 Kelsey Smith 156th & Maple

happy birthday!June 2014

BIRTHDAYS

5

YEARS OF SERVICEJune 2014

30 Shirley Hall 72nd & F17 Thelma Pugh Papillion12 Dororhty Franklin Fremont9 Edward Driscoll VA9 Megan Harr 156th & Maple9 Chad Kooiker VA8 Jacob Beezley Bellevue8 Kent Caniglia Benson Park Plaza8 Brett Karnes 72nd & F8 Kris Pachunka Benson Park Plaza8 Thomas Vrtiska Denney7 Michelle Munson West Center7 Beth Nielsen Benson Park Plaza7 Amy Queck 72nd & F5 James Anderson Offutt5 Paul Fischbach VA5 Tim Garrigus Offutt5 Alex Grady Denney4 Scott Buchele 156th & Maple4 William Eklund Offutt4 Grace Greenwood 180th & Q4 Kim McConahay 180th & Q4 Robert Popejoy 72nd & F4 Timothy Schlosser 72nd & F

4 Jerrell Stapleton Benson Park4 Tim Suelter Benson Park Plaza4 Conchita Tolles 72nd & F3 Sharon Bland Benson Park3 Tessa Lundgren Harris Center3 Osama Rashan Papillion3 Stephanie Weaver 180th & Q2 Paul Jensen Southwest2 Eldon Jones Denney2 Anthony Kidd 72nd & F2 Gary May 72nd & F2 Beatriz Stenseth Southwest2 Anthony White Benson Park1 Maggie Adle Fremont1 Daniel Brackhan Denney1 Berdeena Chase Madison1 Dane Ehrhorn Papillion1 Kenneth Good Postal1 Michael Hardiman Harris Center1 Bidur Kandel Papillion1 Connor McAndrews Papillion1 Marlene Mosher 156th & Maple1 Hilario Smith, Jr. 72nd & F1 Matthew Smith 72nd & F

Congratulations!ANNIVERSARIES

Thank you for your years of service, we look forward to many more!

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Board of Trustees Mark L. BraseeChairman of the Board Joseph R. LempkaVice Chairman

Mark L. StokesSecretary

Robert J. MitchellTreasurer

Elizabeth A. MazzottaChairman Emeritus Frank J. McGreePresident and CEO

MembersDavid M. AndersonBrian M. CsipkesRichard A. FrandeenMichael P. GeisRonald C. JensenLarry R. King Sandra A. LaneJoseph W. LangR.J. NearyJoseph J. OlsenDaniel A. PadillaCarol L. RussellH. Daniel SmithDaniel G. Wenzl

Life MembersJ. Timothy DaughertyGerald C. GrayMary Pat HeckJames L. MounceDolores C. OwenWilliam B. PrestonWilliam E. RamseyCharles V. Sederstrom, Jr.Wayne E. SimmondsKaren A. SteinJoseph T. Sullivan, Jr.William N. VobejdaTommy L. WhalenAndrew WilliamsGary R. Yocum

May 2, 2014

Dear Goodwill employees,

Thank you for participating in the Best Places to Work in Omaha 2014 survey. This is the third year Goodwill has been involved with the survey. Goodwill appreciates the feedback we received in the areas you feel we are doing well as an organization along with the areas you would like to see improved.

Goodwill is committed to listening to its employees and looking for ways we can continually improve. The common themes from the survey indicate that as an employee you want to be engaged and communicated with by all levels of the organization, continually have access to training and development opportunities, and have a better understanding of our compensation and benefits program.

Goodwill’s Executive Staff team is charged with identifying ways in which engagement and communication may be increased throughout the organization. At this point, there have been several in depth discussions with this group with the goal of ensuring employees are valued, appreciated, recognized and respected as you are Goodwill’s greatest asset.

Employees want the opportunity to learn, grow and advance within the organization. Goodwill will continue to offer on the job training opportunities to include cross training, internal training programs and examine additional trainings to offer employees in the future.

The results showed employees are interested in a fair benefits and compensation program. Goodwill will implement a benefits statement to outline the total benefits package on an annual basis to ensure employees understand the value of their benefits. Additionally, we are researching a compensation system which would provide a clear pay structure for positions within the agency.

I want to personally thank you for your participation in the survey. The Executive Staff team will continue to identify goals and action steps to address the survey results and we will make sure we communicate with you as we move along in the process.

Sincerely,

Frank McGreePresident & CEO

BEST PLACES TO WORK SURVEYby Frank McGree

BEST PLACES TO WORK SURVEY

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BEST PLACES TO WORK SURVEY RESULTSby Frank McGree

BEST PLACES TO WORK SURVEY RESULTS

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ABOVE & BEYONDChristina CoffinKevin FehderauTerri GibiliscoChristina LarsonCarlesha McCulloughDennis RaheLori SchuJane Wendland

LIFESAVERSMaggie AdleChristine AguilarJeff BloesRobert CatrairStacey ElliotAgnele HoundjoeBobbi Jo HowardTimothy OliveLauren PawlakRodney Roberts

AWARDS aplenty!April 2014

AWARDS aplenty!April 2014

Congratulations to Osama and the rest of the Papillion staff! They ended 22.84% over budget

and 27.84% over April 2013!

APRIL Store of the Month:

Papillion!

AWARDS

9

GoodBytes rounded up 43.28% of their total transactions in the month of April. Their advice, “Ask every customer; the worst thing they can do is say no.”

ROUND IT UP FOR GOODWILL

$11,673.38to support Goodwill’s mission!

Excellent job retail! You have raised

ARPIL 7, 2014 - MAY 27, 2014

29,024 193,072Total of Round It Up Transactions Total Store Transactions

OUTOF

APRIL AGENTS OF CHANGE WINNERS:

GoodBytes

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aving the job of executive assistant often means wearing

many different hats and having varied responsibilities. Tashana Barrios, executive assistant to the COO Randy Parks, plays this role well. Tashana has been a breath of fresh air at Benson Park Plaza offices, helping all areas of the agency. Tashana has earned the April employee of the month award for all of this hard work.

Debi Farris, Commercial Services Administrative Assistant, nominated Tashana for this award. “Tashana has taken time to help me learn several things around here (Goodwill offices) these last few weeks I’ve been here,” she said.

“One afternoon, I asked Tashana for a ‘copier 101’ lesson. She was very helpful! She even followed up with IT to get me on the copier email list,” continued Debi.

Tashana’s supervisor, Randy Parks, says that Tashana is a phenomenal worker.

“Plus, she puts up with me!” he joked.

“I like working at Goodwill, because we are so close to the mission-based services. It’s nice

to see that my job is making an impact every day,” said Tashana about working at Goodwill. “The people I work with are also great,” she continued, “they are always willing to help and very friendly.”

Tashana can always be

found around Benson Park with a friendly smile on her face. She has been an asset to the agency in her short time here. Tashana hopes to grow with the agency, even joining Toastmaster’s to hone her public speaking skills.

“It was a great honor to win Employee of the Month,” said Tashana. “I was not expecting it and was so surprised!” She has Jen Hale’s acting skills to thank for the surprise execution at April’s Town Hall.

Tashana is originally from Northern California and moved to Omaha shortly before joining Goodwill. She lives with family and enjoys spending time with them and with friends. Tashsana is currently studying Spanish and business at Metropolitan Community College. Congratulations, Tashana, on your employee of the month win!

Employee of the Month Tahana Barrios with Chief Operating Officer Randy Parks after being surprised with the award at the April Town Hall.

Multiple Goodwill employees participated in the 3rd Annual Donate Life Nebraska 5K & Heroes’ Walk. A few seen above, (L-R) Tashana Barrios, Angie Montgomery, Jen Hale, and Jana Dye.

APRIL EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTHby Rebecca Armstrong

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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

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n April 24, Goodwill Omaha partnered with the Omaha West Rotary,

Dell Reconnect and the local NBC affiliate (WOWT) for a community-wide electronics recycling event called “Drive for Drives”. Residents were able to drop off their old computers and electronic accessories at no cost.

The third annual event was held in Canfield’s parking lot, providing great visibility to passing vehicles.

Donors were responsible for removing any personal information from the devices prior to drop off. Items that can be refurbished will be sold in the Omaha Goodwill’s GoodBytes computer store, while any donations that cannot be used will be recycled.

“Unfortunately, we’re a throwaway society,” said Randy Parks, Goodwill Omaha COO. “And by being able to do this recycling event, we’re taking all of this out of the landfill.”

WOWT provided thousands of dollars in free promotion for the Drive for Drives through online and on-air coverage for four weeks leading up to the event. On-air personalities held a live broadcast from the Drive for Drives and helped take donations.

Goodwill Omaha’s YouthBuild participants volunteered their time to help with the event, giving the students a firsthand look at how their contributions ultimately help.

A record 2,000 donors dropped off their computers and electronic equipment donations, filling 15 semi-trailers over the course of the event.

DRIVE FOR DRIVES by Kris Pachunka

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T.V. personalities from WOWT Channel 6 were on site all day for live coverage as well as helping unload cars. They were a great help and we deeply appreciate it.

YouthBuild joined in for Drive for Drives and helped accept 2,000 donations.

Goodwill Omaha partnered with the Omaha West Rotary, Dell Reconnect and the local NBC affiliate (WOWT) for a community-wide electronics recycling event called “Drive for Drives”. Residents were able to drop off their old computers and electronic accessories at no cost.

DRIVE FOR DRIVES

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Tim has been with Goodwill for five years now, and was named Goodwill’s 2013 Marco-Mayer Achiever of the Year.

He was also chosen by the Offutt team to represent our Goodwill in Washington DC during GII’s Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. Tim said telling his story directly to Nebraska senators and representatives was his way of giving back to Goodwill.

“Without Goodwill, I don’t know where I’d be!”

Tim courageously shared his story with Senators Mike Johanns and Deb Fischer, as well as legislative staff working for Representative Lee Terry and Jeff Fortenberry. He asked them to do what they could to fight for the rights of people with disabilities in order to have meaningful training and work opportunities.

After Advocacy Day duties, Tim had some free time to sightsee and explore. This was Tim’s first time in DC and he was very excited! Along with visiting the Capitol, senate office buildings

and house of representatives office buildings, Tim also walked to the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. He visited the National Archives, had a private White House West Wing tour, and ate at the President’s favorite hot dog joint. But Tim’s biggest dream was to visit Arlington Cemetery,

especially since it is celebrating its 150th anniversary. He made a solo trip there on his new favorite mode of transportation - the Metro!

Goodwill couldn’t be more proud to have you represent us, Tim. Thank you and all of your fellow veterans for your service!

Tim, Work Experience Coordinator Holly Schwietz, and Development and Marketing Coordinator Rebecca Armstrong went to Capitol Hill to visit with Nebraska lawmakers. Here they are with Senator Deb Fischer. From left to right, Holly, Rebecca, Sen. Fischer, and Tim.

Tim and Rebecca Armstrong look over the Metro train map to see where they need to go next.

As you can see, even through the motion blur, Tim has a big smile on his face while riding the Metro for the first time.

After Advocacy Day duties, Tim was able to visit the World War II Memorial.

TIM GOES TO WASHINGTONby Holly Schwietz

continued FROM page 1

TIM GOES TO WASHINGTON

13ANNUAL DINNER RECAP

oodwill’s Annual Employee Awards Dinner took place a few weeks ago. In preparation for this story I

was curious how long this event has been taking place.

So, with the help of Bobbie Tvrdik we tapped into our agency archives. We found a newspaper article about the event dating back to 1987. Kay Orr was the featured speaker and it took place at the Peony Park Ballroom. We dove further into the archives and found another article from 1964. Back then the agency combined the annual board meeting with a recognition dinner and had more than 200 people in attendance. We continued to rummage through old newspaper articles, flyers and invitations. The oldest record for this event was from 1953. (Frank was like 2 years old back then).

So, for more than six decades this agency has been recognizing employees and program participants for their accomplishments. We’ve hosted it at a variety of different venues, recognized numerous people, celebrated agency-wide and departmental goals, and shared countless success stories. Locations and themes changed through the years but the concept has always been the same…

celebrating the accomplishments of YOU!

This year’s event was no different. More than 500 employees and guests were invited to take a ride on Engine 80 the Goodwill Express and hear about the successes and services of the various areas and people of Goodwill.

The evening began with the Store of the Year being awarded to Store Manager James Coggins and his staff from GoodBytes Recycling Computer Store. Goodwill Custodian Tim Garrigus was the recipient of the Marco/Meyer Achiever of the Year Award. Employment and Training Achievers of the Year Joy Sonderup and Taylor Hill were recognized for their successes while enrolled in a Goodwill program. Lastly, the night ended with Manager of the Year being awarded to Tina McGaugh and Employee of the Year going to Eric Rentschler.

Thank you to the Embassy Suites La Vista for serving as the venue for the event, and to WOWT and Bob Ervin Photography for helping with the creative side of things. It was a great night filled with great people and great stories. We hope you will join us again next year!Manager of the Year Tina McGaugh and CEO Frank

McGree

Hope Achiever of the Year Joy Sonderup and Work Experience Coordinator Holly Schwietz.

Employee of the Year Eric Rentschler poses alongside his lookalike poster board.

GoodBytes Store Manager James Coggins showing off the plaque to his employees for winning Store of the Year.

ANNUAL DINNER RECAPby Rita Crum

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OMAHA GIVES! SUCCEEDS AGAINby Erin Swanson Russell

OMAHA GIVES!

OW! There aren’t many words that can capture the

outpouring of support we received during Omaha Gives! this year. We had three awesome events and raised nearly $38,000, before matching funds. Over 120 donors contributed to this awesome day – almost doubling our efforts from 2013. Rough estimates show that our matching funds should be about $4,200, making our total amount raised over $42,000! I’ll say it again – WOW!

Our three events, as mentioned, went off without a hitch. To start the day, Goodwill’s YouthBuild program partnered with Rebuilding Together Omaha (RTO) to clean-up Hitchcock Park in South Omaha. Students painted picnic tables, scrubbed off graffiti, laid new mulch, and picked up trash around the park. In two hours, YouthBuild and RTO transformed the park into beautiful condition.

At noon, a luncheon, provided by Millard Lumber and Valentino’s Pizza, was held in the Durham Room. Over 100 Goodwill employees and YouthBuild students attended, and a close eye was kept on the giving tally.

This event allowed employees a break from the day to celebrate the agency that they dedicate time to everyday. Prizes, including Goodwill gear, Flagship Restaurant Group gift cards, and Aksarben

Cinema ticket packages, were raffled off throughout the lunch.

After work, all employees and the public were invited to attend a happy hour event at Krug Park, put on with help from Phenomblue, Krug Park and Lot 2 restaurant. Drinks, appetizers and great conversation were had by the nearly 50 people who attended. Gifts cards to Noodles and Company, Jams restaurant, Pepperjax Grill and Valentino’s were given away and many donations were received during this event.

We couldn’t have done any of this without your support and the awesome work you do every day for Goodwill. Thanks again to our sponsors; Millard Lumber and Phenomblue, and to YOU, our employees, for making this one great day of giving!

YouthBuild students gathered at Hitchcock Park on 48th & Q to clean up with Rebuilding Together Omaha. The students painted, removed graffiti and picked up trash from the area.

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A group of Goodwill supporters join for a photo at Krug Park for the Happy Hour event. From L to R: Rebecca Armstrong, Mark Stokes, Frank McGree, Ann Bailey, Erin Swanson Russell.

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VISITING STRATEGIC AIR AND SPACE MUESEUMby Michael Anderson

YOUTHBUILD

n Monday, May 19, the YouthBuild students took some

much needed time away from class to visit the Strategic Air and Space Museum. The majority had never been to the museum before and were suspicious of heading so far out into “nowhere”.

For those that haven’t been there, the museum, outside of Ashland, NE, is a gigantic, two-hanger affair full of air and spacecraft. There are also numerous films and side exhibits, as well as computer equipment from various space missions and Intercontinental ballistic missile silos. Overhanging the lobby area is an SR-71A Blackbird which a number of

students thought was a fake or a spacecraft. Their guide assured them it was real, and that only 32 were made. They were amazed at

its admitted speed of 2,193 mph and learned a lesson in supersonic speeds and sound. Finding its top speed remains a state secret fit

well with their perspective of the federal government and they exchanged many a knowing glance and nodded their heads sagely.

The most exciting part of the trip was the opportunity to ride in the flight simulators. All students tried it out as a measure of their bravery and many, especially the ladies, handled it with ease. Others, not mentioning any names (Marcus Hill), screamed like children locked in a closet with the boogeyman.

Overall everyone had a great time and learned something new!

Overhanging the lobby area is an SR-71A Blackbird which a number of students thought was a fake or a spacecraft.

A view from outside the Strategic Air & Space Museum, outside of Ashland, Nebraska, is a gigantic, two-hanger affair full of air and spacecraft.

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oodwill’s Work Experience Program had their last students for the 2013-2014 school year on May 30.

Since August, Work Experience Trainers have served 98 students from 14 different school districts. Participants in the program worked alongside retail and production staff at Blair, Council Bluffs, Fremont, Bellevue, 156th, and the ROC.

During their time in Work

Experience, students learn a variety of tasks in retail, production, E-Waste, recycling, contracts, custodial and clerical areas. The opportunity Goodwill offers students is invaluable as they move forward in life. Work Experience sends out a big thank you to staff from all departments who helped make this school year a great success. You will see even more students in a couple of months as Work Experience

expands to the Benson Park store this Fall.

I want to give the Work Experience Trainers a special shout out for their tireless dedication and enormous effort to provide each and every one of the students the best possible experience! You demonstrate Goodwill’s mission every day and prove that, at work, it’s what people can do that matters. Thank you!

Work Experience Trainers Taylor Johnson (L) and Christine Dougherty (R) join their student for one last group photo before graduation.

Work Experience students at the Fremont store stop to take a photo together before the school year ends.

Students, Jami Ramsey and Lena Grinvold have snacks together as part of their graduation celebration.

Work Experience students from the Blair location hold up their certificates proudly.

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work experience wrap upby Holly Schwietz

WORK EXPERIENCE

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et your running shoes on!! Registration is now open for The Indie, a 10k/5k/kids’ dash set for Saturday,

July 5, in the Benson-Ames Alliance. The event is the first of its kind in the Benson-Ames community and is designed to showcase the Alliance, foster new entrepreneurial growth and celebrate the independent spirit of the area’s emerging arts and entertainment culture in conjunction with the nation’s birthday. Goodwill is a sponsor and this race is the perfect opportunity to show your community support by running or volunteering!

The 10k and 5k courses are fully paved and will take runners on a scenic loop through parkland and residential areas. Each begins and ends on Maple Street in historic downtown Benson. The registration fee for the 10k and 5k, which includes a T-shirt, is $25.

There is no fee for the kids’ dash, which will take place on Maple Street, but registration is required.

Volunteers are also needed for race day to help with course set up, water stations and the finish line!

You can sign up to run or to volunteer by visiting www.theindieomaha.org

Proceeds will be used for

improvements to Benson Park and Fontenelle Park.

The after party will feature live music by Brad Hoshaw and The Big Deep. Runners will also be able to sample fare from local restaurants, coffee shops and bars. There will also be a chance to explore the neighborhood’s arts scene and Benson Farmers Market. Don’t miss it!

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THE INDIE RUN by Elizabeth Donner

Above is an aerial photo of the Downtown Benson neighborhood. Downtown Benson offers Omaha dining, nightlife, music performances, specialty shopping and a vibrant community.

COMMUNITY

18 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

f you believe that life is a journey, then it makes sense that

where you’ve been doesn’t equal where you are going. That’s a good attitude for a case manager to have. But in the case of Bobbi Jo Howard, she’s seen it happen in her own life.

Bobbi Jo is a Career Specialist for the Partnership program at the American Job Center. She came to Goodwill about a year ago, after working as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the center. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the VISTA program, it stands for Volunteers in Service to America. She was assigned to our partners at the center, Heartland Workforce Solutions, last summer and worked very closely with Partnership staff in her VISTA role. When a job at Partnership opened, she applied.

But that’s the recent history. Let’s go way back to when Bobbi Jo was a baby. Your first question is probably about the name. How did Bobbi Jo become Bobbi Jo? Well, it turns out there are several versions of that story. Her mom says she was named after an old friend. Her grandma says the name was pulled out of a hat. When your name is Bobbi Jo, there should be some mystery involved.

Bobbi Jo moved all over this general area, hitting Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska throughout her childhood. After

she graduated high school, she ended up getting her Associate’s degree in criminal justice. But she took the long route to get there.

Along the way there was a series of employment opportunities, including jobs at Harvey’s Casino, Harrah’s Casino, Rockbrook Camera, Enfield’s Tree Service, and Fox and Hound Restaurant & Pool Hall. There were stops in Lake Tahoe, California and Sidney, Iowa.

But none of these positions or places were related to social work, and Bobbi Jo knew that’s what she wanted to do. So she signed up for the VISTA program, and brought with her years of experience helping people. It was a perfect match. She loves helping young people achieve their own career goals.

The VISTA program led her to Goodwill, but also helped spark her spirit of community. Outside of work, Bobbi Jo volunteers with foster children, the Boy Scouts, and a mother mentoring program.

So what makes Bobbi Jo go? Her kids. She has a daughter who’s 16 and a son who’s 11. Bobbi Jo attributes much of her development and growth to them. But she’s not done yet. Eventually Bobbi Jo would like to get her law degree, so that she can have an even larger impact in the lives of people.

So that’s the story of Bobbi Jo Howard. From a name that was pulled out of a hat, to days spent working in casinos and pool halls, to helping people here at Goodwill. If life is a journey, Bobbi Jo’s has been on quite the trip.

Bobbi Jo is a Career Specialist for the Partnership program at the American Job Center.

MEET BOBBI JO HOWARDby Brent Koster

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19COMMUNITY

rom January thru mid-April, Benson Park Plaza Goodwill served as

one of the hosting sites for the Volunteer Tax Assistance program otherwise known as VITA. IRS-certified volunteers provided free basic income tax return preparations to certain qualified people. The total number of returns in the Omaha area was nearly 5,000 with 7.8 million in total federal

refunded dollars through this program. More than 800 of those returns took place at BPP equating to $1.3 million. This is nearly a 300% increase from last year. Thanks to the 14 Goodwill staff members who took turns manning the front desk during after hours to assist with the appointments. Just another community service Goodwill was proud to be involved in.

orld Book Night U.S. is an ambitious

campaign to give a half million free, specially printed paperbacks to light or non-readers across America. On this one day, over 25,000 volunteer book lovers visited over 6,000 communities across America to seek out those without the means or access to printed books. Twenty of those volunteers came from our very own Heartland Workforce Solutions (HWS) staff.

World Book Night took place on April 23 - Shakespeare’s birthday - and is in it’s third year. The staff at HWS received 400 books to hand out to visitors and participants at the One Stop.

Why is World Book Night important? Based on

“Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America,” by the National Endowment for the Arts, reading changes lives, improves employability, social interaction, enfranchisement, and can have a positive effect on mental health and happiness.

Youth Partnership Career Specialist Bobbi Jo Howard had plenty of help from One Stop Navigator Blaine Villafuerte, as well as other coworkers. “We just want to get the word out about World Book Night and make Omaha a top participant, helping the most people receive these books.”

Signing up to volunteer on World Book Night is easy, just visit www.worldbooknight.org.

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GOOD FOR YOU. GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY.by Rita Crum

Photo courtesy of google.com.

HWS Employee David Pollock is explaining the program and giving a book to Dana O’Farrell.

One Stop Navigator Blaine Villafuerte arranges the books on a table at HWS where visitors and participants can easily access them.

WORLD BOOK NIGHT AT HWSby Ann Bailey

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In their free time, Goodwill employees (L-R) Rebecca Armstrong, Angie Montgomery, Jen Hale, Alyssa Beebe and Jillian Zappa, participated in the Totally Rad 80’s Run.

On May 2, we opened our 17th retail store location on 90th and Highway 370. The Walnut Creek Elementary Pep Band played music for the ribbon cutting.

Stopping for a quick photo at the Annual Dinner in May, Billy Menrad smiles for the camera. Billy is an AbilityOne employee at Offutt Air Force Base.

Customer Connect graduate Jalene Felton addresses her fellow graduates and guests with an inspirational speech about where she is today because of the program.

On May 21, YouthBuilders gathered at Hitchcock Park to help clean up and put mulch in needed areas. These efforts were in honor of Omaha Gives!

For Omaha Gives! we had an all employee lunch at Benson Park Plaza made of Valentino’s pizza. Brent Janzen and Ken Barker led the buffet line and beat the rush.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND GOODWILL?

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Team BLUE had a funfilled day at a dodgeball tournament hosted by the Union Pacific YP group. Clockwise: Luis Lopez, Josh Meyer, Rod Hale, Eric Syphers, Tina McGaugh, Sarah Urick, Alyssa Beebe, Jen Hale Jillian Zappa.

On May 22, seven women graduated the from the Customer Connect program. One graduate referred to her classmates as sisters. Career Services Coordinator Megan Sharpe (right) joins the women in celebration.

In May, Wellness Committee members (L-R) Jillian Zappa, Jen Hale, and Tina McGaugh attended the Well Workplace University, where they were immersed in the “real world” of worksite wellness.

Members of the “Smiling Spikers” participated in a Young Professional volleyball tournament on May 17. Team members include (L-R) Rod Hale, Jen Hale, Chris Woodford, Ann Bailey, Alyssa Beebe, and Josh Meyer.

A total of 8 students completed the Project Employment “Bring Your A Game to Work” curriculum (Jana Dye on right).This program focused on foster youth who are aging out of the system, and are ready to go to work.

AbilityOne employees Dorothy Johnston and Eric Rentschler give eachother a congratulatory hug before the Annual Dinner began. Both were nominees for the Employee of the Year.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND GOODWILL?

2212Hanging employment barriers out to dry. 16

June 2010 Multicultural CalendarThe Caribbean American Heritage Month����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Bois, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Shirley Chisholm, Sidney Poitier, and Roberto Clemente.June 1 – Madaraka (Self-Rule) Day: Kenya This marks the day in 1964 that Kenya attained self-rule as a republic with Jomo ��������������������������������June 2 – Granting of citizenship to American Indians (1924): United States On this day, Congress extended the rights of citizenship to all American Indians born in the United States. Republic Day (Constitution Day): Italy The Italian Republic was established on June 2, 1946, by a popular referendum in which the people chose a republic over a Monarchy.June – 5 Constitution Day: Denmark This day commemorates Denmark’s adoption of a constitutional monarchy in 1849, ending absolute rule by the monarchy. June – 6 Memorial Day: South Korea This day is set aside to honor soldiers and civilians who have given their lives for their country.National Day: Sweden This day commemorates Sweden’s gaining independence from Denmark and the ascension to the throne of King Gustavus in 1523.Seafarers’ Day (Sjómannadagur): Iceland �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������sailors and the sea to Icelandic history and economy. June 7 – Queen’s Birthday: New Zealand This day celebrates the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, who is not only Queen of the ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������June 9 – Accession of King Abdullah: Jordan This day commemorates the accession on June 9, 1999 of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, who assumed his constitutional powers as the Monarch of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on February 7, 1999, the day his father, the late King Hussein, passed away.June 10 – Portuguese National Day: Portugal This national holiday commemorates the death in 1580 of Luís Vaz de Camões, author of the greatest literary work in Portuguese, the epic poem Os Lusíadas.June 12 – Independence Day: Philippines On this day in 1898 the Philippines declared its independence from Spain. Many Filipinos in the United States also celebrate this day.June 13 – Puerto Rican Day Parade: United States Since 1958, New York and other major cities have held parades on the second �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������and dancers in colorful costumes. These parades are similar to St. Patrick’s Day, Italian, and Polish parades that have been held for decades in cities throughout the country. June 14 – Queen’s Birthday: Australia This holiday honors the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Canada, and Australia. As queen of both England and Australia, Elizabeth II is head of state and represented by the ����������������������������������������������������������������������Russia Day observed: Russia This holiday celebrates both the Russian parliament’s formal declaration of sovereignty on this day ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������history of the state.June 16 – Dragon Boat Festival (Tuan-wu): China����������������������������������������������������������������������������himself in 278 B.C.E. to protest the injustice and corruption of his prince’s government. In the traditional dragon boat races, teams from different towns compete in long boats with bows shaped like large dragon heads. The customary holiday food is a dumpling �����������������������������������������������������������June 17 – Independence Day: Iceland Iceland declared full independence from Denmark in 1944, becoming the Republic of Iceland. ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������century leader of Iceland’s peaceful campaign for independence. People throughout the country celebrate this national holiday with traditional costumes, parades, speeches, street theater, slideshows, and outdoor dancing in the midnight sun.June 18 – Evacuation Day: Egypt Marks the proclamation of the Egyptian republic after a military coup deposed King Farouk in 1952.June 19 – Juneteenth: African American This commemorates the emancipation of all slaves in Texas by the Union general Gordon Grange. As news of the Emancipation Proclamation issued in January move westward, he announced on this day that, “The people of Texas are informed that in accord with a Proclamation of the Executive of the United States all slaves are free….”June 23 – National Day: Luxembourg Also celebrated as the King’s birthday, this day commemorates Luxembourg’s gaining independence from Belgium and the Netherlands in 1848.June 24 – Battle of the Carabobo: Venezuela This celebrates the victory over Spain in the decisive battle for independence in 1821.Festival of St. John the Baptist (St. Jean-Baptiste Day): Canada, Puerto Rico This holiday commemorates the feast day of St. John the Baptist.Manila Day: Philippines On June 24, 1571 Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazapi established a permanent settlement in Manila, proclaiming it the island’s capital. In 1574 King Philip II of Spain commemorated the city, giving it the title Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de España (“Distinguished and Ever Loyal City of Spain” ).June 25 - Battle of Little Bighorn (1876): American Indian On this date at Little Bighorn River, General George A. Custer was killed and his command annihilated by combined forces of Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. The determined resistance of the Plains tribes in the protection of their hunting grounds and way of life earned them a number of military victories before they were defeated by the stronger U.S. government forces.

2011 June Diversity Calendar Datesdiversity calendarJune

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56Boys Town Block Party at H

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