Ambassador
MTSU Study: Local Goodwill Has Major Economic Impact
Goodwill Employee Receives Free Car
Goodwill Honors Outstanding Clients, Partners
MAKING FABRIC COLLAGE FUN, INEXPENSIVE AND EASY TO LEARN
NASHVILLE MAN SHARES ‘ART OF GOODWILL’
WINTER 2015
AmbassadorWINTER 2015
President and CEO Matthew S. Bourlakas
Publisher Karl HoustonSenior Director of Marketing & Community Relations
Editor and Writer Chris FletcherPR & Communications Manager
Art Director EJ Kerr Manager of Creative Services
Ambassador is a quarterly magazine
published by Goodwill Industries of
Middle Tennessee, Inc., 1015 Herman
Street, Nashville, TN 37208.
For the nearest retail store, donation
center, or Career Solutions center,
please call 800.545.9231 or visit
www.giveit2goodwill.org.
Ambassador provides readers with
stories of the events, activities and
people who support the mission
of Goodwill Industries of Middle
Tennessee. We are pleased to provide
you this information and hope you
will share our publication with others.
Please note that the opinions expressed
in Ambassador do not necessarily
reflect the opinions or official
position of management or employees
of Goodwill Industries of Middle
Tennessee, Inc.
The Goodwill Mission
We sell donated goods to
provide employment and training
opportunities for people who have
disabilities and others who have
trouble finding and keeping jobs.
contentsI Got it at Goodwill
Goodwill Success Stories 2015
Goodwill Honors Outstanding Clients, Partners in Middle TN
Goodwill Honors Outstanding Clients, Partners in West TN
Goodwill Man Shares 'Art of Goodwill'
Competition A Learning Experience for Students, Goodwill MTSU Study: Local Goodwill Has Major Economic Impact
Goodwill Surpasses 2015 Mission Goals
Nashville Woman No Longer Has to Rely on Family for Transportation to Work
Jackson Store Opening Draws Big Crowds
Union City Goodwill Career Solutions Receives Honors Local Goodwill Holds First 'Blue Friday'
Goodwill Cares: Helping Homeless Vets Make a New Start
I Change Lives: Shelia Holt
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Ambassador WINTER 2015 2 Our mission is changing lives.
Do you have some
fabulous finds in your
home or closet that you
purchased at Goodwill?
Share them with us on
Facebook, Instagram or
Twitter, and we might
feature them in our
next edition!
GREAT FINDS AND DEALS FROM GOODWILL SHOPPERS
igotitat
Goodwill
#
Post your great finds:
#igotitatgoodwill
Betsy wrote: "This vintage Bonnie Boerer sweater from the 80s is my favorite
find from the @giveit2goodwill outlet,
and I paid less than $1!"
Lachelle wrote: "Goodwill dollar
days! Top and skirt only $2."
Kiya wrote: "My vanity is almost
done! I love it so far! A lot of work went into this
vanity. The vanity desk is from the Goodwill. I
got it for only $35 dollars! Originally it was a rich
brown color."
Jamie wrote: "Totally in love
with this red
CABI coat at
@giveit2goodwill."
3Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
I AM CONFIDENT
IN MY ABILITIES
AGAIN Thank you!
I GET TO BE A
LEADER AGAIN
Thank you!
I HAVE RECLAIMED
MY INTEGRITY Thank you!
GOODWILL
SUCCESSSTORIESOCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015
For most of his life, Kevin wore his
unique ability to adapt like a superhero’s
cloak. Until it began to unravel.
Vision problems that began early in childhood brought
thick glasses and teasing from other kids. So, Kevin
disappeared into books and got contact lenses. As a
teenager, he worked at fast food restaurants and, for a
while, succeeded despite struggling to read food orders.
Later, Kevin worked as a meat-cutter. He avoided cutting
himself with the razor-sharp knives and learned all
about the packing business, but he had to hide his
inability to read numbers used to identify cuts of meat.
At age 27, he tested a career as a professional wrestler,
but that dream, too, was crushed by his disability.
“Each year as I got older, my vision got progressively
worse,” he recalled, noting that he is now legally blind. “I
was going through depression for a long time. I thought I
was worthless.”
Kevin turned to the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center,
where he learned he didn’t have to hide his disability.
Then, he went to Goodwill Career Solutions for help
finding the right job. Today, he is a greeter at the
Memorial Boulevard store in Murfreesboro and has
earned a reputation for stellar customer service. “I meet
some pretty interesting people from all walks of life,” he
said. “Amazing people, actually.”
Customers enjoy Kevin’s quick wit, his handwritten
notes on donation cards and learning about his many
skills (he is bilingual and a certified CPR instructor). This
superhero is no longer grounded by his disability. “I love
this job,” he said.
Kevin
– Kevin
– Ernest
– Bernice
Ambassador WINTER 2015 4 Our mission is changing lives.
Bernice, a production
associate at one of Goodwill’s
downtown Nashville
warehouses, exhibits many
traits that make her a valuable employee. She learns
quickly. Her attendance and attitude are outstanding.
Her supervisor says she is a pleasure to work with.
But for 25 years, those traits lay dormant. During that
quarter century, Bernice never held a conventional job.
She was addicted to drugs, and attempts to sell drugs
got her in trouble with the law.
Bernice eventually went through rehabilitation for her
addiction, but her outlook on life remained grim.
“I really didn’t think I could get a job, by me getting
two felonies,” she said. But in 2010, after two years of
sobriety, Bernice entered into job placement services
with the Goodwill Career Solutions center at Rivergate.
“Goodwill gave me the chance to be a responsible
citizen and a purpose to do things that I thought I could
not do,” she recalled. “It changed my life.”
Bernice began making up for lost time. She mastered
several different roles in different departments.
Her primary duty now is grading clothing, but she
frequently works in other departments as well. She
enjoys the variety. Her personal life has stabilized as
well. She has remained sober for six years.
“I can see where I’m going, and (I’m) doing personal
things for me and my grandbabies,” she said.
“(Goodwill) gave me integrity. … I’m normal, like
normal people that work and do things. It has helped
me so much.”
BerniceErnest served in the U.S. Army
for more than 18 years, and
though he left it in 1990, traces of
military bearing linger behind his ever-present smile.
Consider how he checks off the duties of his job as a
Donations Express Center lead attendant for Goodwill,
as if inspecting troops.
“My job is to go around making sure my DEC
attendants are treating customers properly, doing
the job properly, sorting everything like it should
be, wearing the proper uniform, wearing gloves and
keeping up with safety,” he explained. “Safety is my
biggest thing — safety and people.”
But Ernest’s life has not always been so tidy. His
military career ended unexpectedly because of a
reduction in forces. He received some disability
benefits due to on-duty injuries, but it wasn’t enough to
get by. After the military, Ernest worked for himself as
a mechanic in Alabama and Connecticut.
In 2003, he sold his tools and moved to Clarksville,
Tenn., hoping to make a new start. The local Veterans
Administration offered Ernest the chance to enter
Goodwill’s Transitional Employment Services Program.
There, he received job readiness training and was
introduced to the retail business at Clarksville’s
Goodwill store. He was eventually offered a part-time
job as a processor. After eight years at Goodwill, he
applied for his current, full-time position.
Ernest thrived in the job, which takes him across
north central Tennessee and allows him to exercise the
leadership skills he honed in the military.
“It’s all about people, and I enjoy myself some people,”
he said. “When you help a person out and give them
that smile, they want to smile, too."
Ernest
5Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
GOODWILL HONORS OUTSTANDING CLIENTS, PARTNERS IN MIDDLE TNSuccess Stories Celebrated at the Nashville Impact Luncheon
Goodwill honored five Career Solutions clients and six employer and non-profit partners at
its annual Impact Luncheon on Nov. 20 in Nashville.
News Channel 5 anchor Rhori Johnston emceed the event, held at the Millenium Maxwell
House Hotel, and motivational speaker Mike Veeck, author and part owner of several minor
league baseball teams and a consulting firm, gave an inspiring message.
NOVEMBER 20TH 2015
IMPACTLUNCHEON
2015
The National Council on Aging of Williamson County is a non-profit agency that provides low-income seniors age 55 and up with paid temporary work to help them gain experience and permanent employment. The organization encourages clients to participate in digital literacy classes and job fairs at the Franklin Goodwill Career Solutions center. Goodwill responds by directing its clients to NCOA whenever they may qualify for its services.
Workforce Essentials – Robertson County and Goodwill’s partnership took off in January when the two non-profits discovered how well their missions dovetailed. Both help people who are struggling to find employment, although their services differ. They now partner for hundreds of job fairs per year, promote each other’s events and conduct joint workshops. Workforce Essentials of Robertson County referred at least 2,000 people to Goodwill in 2015, and 400 of those were placed in jobs.
The recipients of these awards have developed great partnerships with Goodwill and greatly supported its mission in 2015.
DONOR, EMPLOYER AND COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARDS
Ambassador WINTER 2015 6 Our mission is changing lives.
DONOR PARTNER OF THE YEAR COMMUNITY PARTNERS OF THE YEARParks Realty was the first company to partner with Goodwill's Real Estate Donations Pickup program, which picks up used items from homes where people are moving or settling an estate. By telling their clients about the service, Parks Realtors boosted Goodwill’s donation receipts by an average of five pickups per month, filling about 16 box trucks to date.
EMPLOYER PARTNERS OF THE YEARSeveral businesses were recognized at the luncheon for their enthusiastic support of Goodwill’s mission. Administrative Resource Options, Amazon and Popeyes were honored for contributing to the success of Goodwill Career Solutions through their employment practices and hiring of clients.
Keynote speaker:Mike Veeck
Nashville partners: From left, are Alicia McClung of Administrative Resource Options, Gene Reeder with Amazon, Heather Orne with Parks Realty, Roosevelt Blake with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, JoAnn Miller with the National Council on Aging of Williamson County and Bob Reed and Alicia Pittman of Workforce Essentials of Robertson County.
GOODWILL HONORS OUTSTANDING CLIENTS, PARTNERS IN MIDDLE TNSuccess Stories Celebrated at the Nashville Impact Luncheon
Because of her autism and seizures, 20-year-old Torie Summers had never had a job, but she wanted to make her own money and be more independent. Her family brought her to Goodwill Career Solutions where she took job readiness, computer and online job search classes.
Goodwill learned that Joe Perricone, owner of Our Place Cafe in Hendersonville, hires people with disabilities and works hard to help them flourish in a work environment. He had a part-time support staff position available, and in April he hired Torie. She was thrilled. Goodwill job coach Randy Buchanan helped her settle into the job, and she now refills drinks for customers, cleans the dining room and performs other tasks like a pro. She is also a favorite of regulars. She loves the job and the tips she receives for providing great service.
This award is named in honor of two women who were loyal supporters of
Goodwill, Madaleine LaVoi and Elsine Katz. The award is given to a Career Solutions
client who has made outstanding progress in their program at Goodwill.LAVOI-KATZ AWARD
GRADUATES OF THE YEAR AWARD The recipients of this award have achieved great success since enrolling in Goodwill Career Solutions.
had been unemployed a long time. She lost her car, her residence and much of her self-esteem. In February, she visited the Goodwill Career Solutions Center on Foster Street in Nashville and entered Goodwill’s Health Care Initiatives program. Right away, her confidence began to improve. It was clear she had a passion for helping people. After graduating, Forbes fielded calls from several health care providers interested in interviewing her. She accepted a job as a technician at Saint Thomas West Hospital, and her life has been looking up ever since. She even recently bought herself a car.
walked into the Mt. Juliet Goodwill Career Solutions center in January, she already had two part-time jobs and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. What she wanted was a career and the ability to move out of her parents' home. At Goodwill, she upgraded her computer skills and resume. She sharpened her job search and interview skills as well and soon landed an interview with Manheim Auctions. She was hired on part-time but within 90 days was promoted to a full-time position with more responsibility. Today, she has her own apartment and a bright future in a profession she loves.
was working as a dishwasher at a Nashville restaurant, but he wanted to improve his income. He needed help, however, so in August of 2014 he visited the Goodwill Career Solutions center in Nashville’s Berry Hill community. There, he completed courses in digital literacy, resume writing, job readiness and online job search. Within two months, he began working in Goodwill’s salvage department. In June of this year, Baker had leveraged his new skills and experience into a higher-paying job with Standard Functional Foods Group in Nashville. Along the way, Baker got married and welcomed a new baby.
worked in retail for many years but grew frustrated with never having weekends or holidays off. She left her job to take some planned time off but later found returning to the workforce difficult. After three months seeking a job, she went to Springfield’s Goodwill Career Solutions center. Her career counselor suggested she try Goodwill’s call center training. Cook initially refused but reconsidered and completed the course. Her new skills landed her a job as a customer service representative for All American Pest Control in Nashville. She loves the work, her new co-workers and having weekends free with her family.
Sharon Forbes Taryn Covington Akeem Baker Virginia Cook
Torie Summers
7Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
NOVEMBER 7TH 2014
GOODWILL HONORS OUTSTANDING CLIENTS, PARTNERS IN WEST TN Success Stories Celebrated at Jackson Impact Luncheon
IMPACTLUNCHEON
2015
Goodwill honored four Career Solutions clients, including one who became a Goodwill
employee, two employer partners, a community partner and a regional partner at its
annual Impact Luncheon on Nov. 5 in Jackson. WBBJ-TV anchor Bart Barker emceed the
well-attended event at the DoubleTree Hotel.
NOVEMBER 5TH 2015
REGIONAL, COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYER PARTNER AWARDS
The recipients of these awards developed great partnerships with Goodwill and greatly supported its mission in 2015.
City of Martin The City of Martin provided space for nine Goodwill Career Solutions-hosted job fairs at City Hall in 2015, drawing 248 job-seekers. Of those, 131 were placed into jobs. The city also helped promote the events, posting fliers online and reporting on the number of hires.
Hamilton-Ryker Hamilton-Ryker placed 172 Goodwill clients into jobs in 2015 in West Tennessee, in part as the result of several Goodwill-hosted job fairs. The staffing agency works closely with Goodwill career counselors and has demonstrated a willingness to hire those whose backgrounds are less than perfect.
Staff Management /SMX and KrystalTwo employers were honored during the awards luncheon. Staff Management / SMX and Krystal significantly contributed to the success of Goodwill Career Solutions by hiring many of its clients.
Ambassador WINTER 2015 8 Our mission is changing lives.
Jackson Partners: From left are Ronnie Phillips of Staff Management / SMX, Joyce Nowlin of Krystal, Brad Thompson of the City of Martin and Ronnie Cook of Hamilton-Ryker
The recipients of this award have achieved great success since enrolling in Goodwill Career Solutions.
Teresa & Jonathon HornTo Teresa Horn, it seemed like the straw that broke the camel’s back. Though she had been providing day care for friends’ children at her residence, she rarely got paid. Her husband was unemployed, and the young couple was at risk of losing their car and the home they shared with their daughter.
Teresa had applied for numerous retail jobs, but each time she was told she didn’t have the right experience and was turned away. After her last rejection, she sat in her car and cried and prayed.
On a whim, she decided to take a new route home. Along the way, she stopped in at the Goodwill Career Solutions Center on South Highland Avenue in Jackson. She took a job readiness class, then returned to the center every day to search for jobs online.
When a spot came open in a Goodwill retail training class, Teresa jumped at the chance. She never missed a class, even during a snowstorm, and after graduating she was hired on at the South Jackson Goodwill
store. Her supervisor says she is doing a great job, and she feels confident she will be promoted.
After seeing Teresa’s success, her husband Jonathan Horn decided to give Goodwill Career Solutions a try. He got help with his resume and his interviewing skills, and he got connected with potential employers at Goodwill-hosted job fairs. During one of those events, he applied for a job with Corrections Corporation of America. After going through CCA’s training program, the company offered him a job as a corrections officer at the Whiteville Correctional Facility.
Jonathan said a burden fell off his shoulders at that moment. He knew he could once again care for his family.
Teresa and Jonathan love their new jobs, and through their employment the family has been able to move into a nicer, roomier home.
Connie WigginsWhen Connie Wiggins’ husband died three years ago, the part-time Realtor’s only other means of support was a trucking company they had run together. But soon the trucking company’s sole client went out of business, and Wiggins was forced to close her company.
With real estate moving slowly in Union City, Connie knew she needed help. She went to Goodwill Career Solutions and got help with her resume and computer skills. She also completed a food safety training course.
With refreshed skills and renewed confidence, she started looking for work. From Hamilton-Ryker staffing agency, she learned about an opening at O’Neal’s Country Store, a gift shop in Union City. Wiggins applied and was quickly hired.
She recently celebrated her one-year anniversary, and the store’s owner calls her an “absolute godsend.” She greets customers, decorates gift baskets, works the cash register, restocks shelves and more. Wiggins enjoys her job and says Goodwill prepared her to succeed.
Gary CooperDespite his movie star name, Gary Cooper was not exactly living a Hollywood lifestyle.
The Jackson retiree wanted some spending money and longed to have funds for a vacation.
He had seen TV commercials for Goodwill about how the not-for-profit helps people with training and employment opportunities, and one day he popped into the North Jackson Goodwill Career Solutions center.
There, he completed job readiness training, got help updating his resume, received his forklift certification and got plenty of encouragement. Then, at a local job fair, Cooper met a representative of Home Instead Senior Care. Now, he’s an in-home caregiver.
Home Instead Senior Care’s general manager calls Cooper an exceptional employee who has a passion for what he does, giving his all for the clients he serves. Today, Cooper is more financially independent and able to do things he couldn’t before. He says Goodwill Career Solutions helped him reach that point.
GRADUATES OF THE YEAR AWARD
9Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
Jackson Graduates: From left are Teresa Horn, Connie Wiggins and Gary Cooper.
n a pretty autumn
afternoon, the
downtown
Nashville skyline
looks like a
scale model
when viewed from the 18th floor
observation deck of the Leah Rose
Residence for Senior Citizens.
Inside, retired cardiac nurse Marie
Falquet cuts thin strips of cloth from
a woman’s blouse and carefully arranges them side-by-side on
the back of a small picture frame. Each different-sized piece bears
the printed image of a building, and soon, a black-and-white
cityscape emerges with a street-level perspective. She
adds red flowers, beads and other splashes of color.
“I do other kinds of art, but this is fun because I’ve
never done it before,” the 73-year-old chirps as she
works. “It makes you want to go to your closet and get
some of your clothes and cut them up.”
That won’t be necessary. Falquet’s art instructor,
Jim Hornsby, has brought plenty of supplies for the
handful of students in his class. Should they run out,
he knows where there is an inexhaustible source of
inexpensive materials for the fabric collages he is teaching them to
make — Goodwill.
MAKING FABRIC COLLAGE FUN, INEXPENSIVE AND EASY TO LEARN
NASHVILLE MAN SHARES ‘ART OF GOODWILL’
“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, but you can put it together any way you want. That’s the joy of doing this kind of thing,”
O
Ambassador WINTER 2015 10 Our mission is changing lives.
It was at Goodwill where Hornsby, a retired attorney and
administrative judge, first struck upon the idea for the unique
brand of artwork that has become his passion. In the spring of
2015, the Nashville resident injured his knee, and after a few
days on the couch, he grew weary of watching TV. He started
cutting images from the magazines on his coffee table to make
collages. Hornsby had always dabbled in art and photography,
but he had never been fully satisfied with his efforts.
He enjoyed this new pastime, however, and once his knee
improved, he began traveling to Goodwill to buy frames for
his artwork. He found plenty of frames, often for as little as 99
cents, and they inspired him to create collages to match their
wide variety of shapes and sizes. Then, during one particular
visit to Goodwill, he noticed the store’s clothing and how it
was arranged by color.
“It’s like an artist’s palette, with all the reds and blues,” he
explains.
Upon closer inspection he saw that many of the garments —
especially women’s blouses — came in an amazing variety of
textures with beautiful patterns, ranging from abstract designs
to detailed figures or faces. He bought some of the blouses,
took them home and began creating collages from the fabric.
Hornsby was hooked. Before he knew it he was churning out
one or more fabric collages per day.
Hornsby’s wife, Lilly, and others loved his creations, and he
was amazed by how simple they were to make. In essence,
he cuts out pieces of fabric, moves them around until he
is satisfied with the composition — often giving them an
unexpected context, then frames the art. (See next page)
JIM HORNSBY’S ‘ART OF GOODWILL’SUPPLIES
1. Fabric and frames from Goodwill
2. Small “detail” scissors
3. All-purpose glue (not much is needed)
4. Toothpicks to handle the glue
FABRIC COLLAGE METHOD1. Select your fabrics from Goodwill. Look for repetitive patterns and striking images. Don’t forget to buy a frame!
2. Cut out the central object or image you wish to build your collage around.
3. Cut out a background fabric to fit the frame you will use. Drape the background across the backing of the frame. Ensure there is enough to fill the frame.
4. Place your central image on the background.
5. Cut out other shapes and colors to balance the composition. Add other media like paper or beads if you like.
6. Arrange all the cut-outs into different contexts until you are satisfied.
7. Glue down any items as needed.
8. Carefully place the glass over your collage and insert into the frame. Or, leave the glass out so the texture of the fabric can be touched and enjoyed.
9. Hang up your artwork and enjoy!
11Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
“It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, but you can put it together any way
you want. That’s the joy of doing this kind of thing,” he says.
“You really can’t make a mistake. If you can operate a pair of
scissors, you can create this artwork.”
Because most fabrics cling in place, a sharp pair of scissors and
a tiny bit of glue are the only tools required. All the rest can be
readily found at Goodwill.
Hornsby raves about his new art supply store. “Goodwill works
on so many levels … . It’s a very inspirational place for me,” he
says. “They have women’s wear that is very classic clothing
that could probably be found in an art museum somewhere. I
get all my frames and fabrics there. It’s very seldom that I walk
out without anything, because it’s just so plentiful.”
The price is certainly right, Hornsby adds. Most of his framed
art pieces are produced for under $10 — less than the cost of a
single tube of watercolor paint.
As an enthusiastic recycler, he appreciates that Goodwill
prevents the clothing he uses for art and other valuable items
from going to landfills. And as a former attorney and judge, he
likes that Goodwill sells its merchandise to improve people’s
lives through free job training and employment opportunities.
“The opportunity to participate in art classes gives our seniors an outlet to engage their minds. It
challenges them to think outside-the-box and delve into self-expression. And when you foster
someone's mind, you can also see his or her spirits rise. Keeping spirits up is an important factor in
helping seniors stay active and healthy, so the Leah Rose is grateful to Mr. Hornsby for donating his
time to this cause.” — Christy Moore, Activities Coordinator | Leah Rose Residence for Seniors
Ambassador WINTER 2015 12 Our mission is changing lives.
But best of all is the creative release he gets from doing his
artwork. Famed artist Pablo Picasso, a pioneer of collage,
once said embarking on a painting gave him the sensation of
“leaping into space.” Hornsby knows that feeling well, and he
wants to share it with others — especially the elderly.
Being 72, he says he empathizes with seniors who need to fill
space in their lives once occupied by jobs, parenting and other
practical obligations. So he decided to offer to teach free classes
in the "Art of Goodwill" at a few local retirement and assisted
living centers.
“I wanted a hobby that keeps me busy intellectually and
physically,” Hornsby says, explaining that his treasure-hunting
expeditions at Goodwill get him out of the house. “I think
anybody can use this method of collage, but it’s especially
attractive to seniors because (unlike other types of art) it
doesn’t take so much time and effort to get into.”
He’s found some eager students at Leah Rose who share his
perspective.
“I can hardly wait until class on Fridays,” Falquet says. “I wish
even more people would come. You’re never too old to learn
something new.”
COMPETITION A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS AND GOODWILL
he three sharp-
dressed consultants
clearly knew
their stuff — the
organization’s
background,
its financials and trajectory. Their
multimedia presentation focused on
the critical need to win millennials over
to the brand, and their research on that
up-and-coming consumer demographic
was persuasive.
Then, they unveiled three ready-
to-implement proposals: the retailer
should restructure its shopper rewards
program to increase engagement; it
should launch a cutting-edge mobile
phone app to ensure its messages are
reaching young adults; and it should
launch new boutique stores with
trendy brands to woo key influencers.
To conclude, they revealed that the
outfits they were wearing came
from one of the retailer’s stores, and
they explained how their shopping
experiences informed their proposals.
In the end, they won the day and the
“contract.”
It was a scene that could have played
out in a Wall Street or Silicon Valley
boardroom. But these consultants were
college seniors, and the setting was
a classroom at the Middle Tennessee
State University’s Jones College of
Business. Their audience was a group
of representatives from Goodwill
Industries of Middle Tennessee.
As the winners of MTSU’s second
Strategic Management Case
Competition, Lindsey Ryner, Lucas
Tidwell and Emily Benavides took
home $1,800 in prize money and an
eye-catching entry for their resumes.
A total of 205 students participated
in the eight-week competition, but
only 35 students comprising nine class
champion teams made it to the Dec. 2
final round. There, Goodwill judged
them on the quality of their research,
recommendations and presentations.
Other teams’ proposals ranged from
revamping Goodwill’s online auction
site to expanding its social media
presence to creating college campus
“closets” where free business attire is
available to students who need it.
“The business strategy case competition
provides students an opportunity
to do real world work with business
professionals,” said M. Jill Austin, who
chairs the Department of Management
in the Jones College of Business. “The
experience helps students
T
Members of the winning
team in MTSU's Strategic
Management Case
Competition are, from left,
Lindsey Ryner, Lucas Tidwell
and Emily Benavides. They
wore business attire purchased
from Goodwill to make their
presentation before judges
from the not-for-profit during
the competition's final round
Dec. 2 at MTSU's Jones School
of Business.
13Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
“It was really exciting to hear presentations from these sharp young minds and future business
leaders. Many of their recommendations deserve and will receive Goodwill’s serious consideration.” — Karl Houston, Senior Director of Marketing and Community Relations | Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee
Continued on page 23
very dollar spent by
Goodwill Industries
of Middle Tennessee
creates an additional
$3.30 in benefits
to the 48 counties it serves, and total
economic impact of the not-for-profit is
approaching a half-billion dollars.
These are among the findings of a new
study by the Business and Economic
Research Center at Middle Tennessee
State University, which also predicts
a 66 percent growth in the local
Goodwill’s employment impact. Within
a decade, the organization is forecast
to be responsible for the presence in
the workforce of 21,000 people per
year, largely through the efforts of its
Goodwill Career Solutions centers and
thousands of employer partners.
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee
President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas
joined the author of the economic impact
assessment, Dr. Murat Arik, director of
MTSU’s Business and Economic Research
Center, in releasing the results on Oct. 28
at Goodwill’s Nashville headquarters.
“This study validates what we have long
suspected — that Goodwill is much more
than a non-profit and social enterprise.
It’s an economic engine that propels
businesses and communities forward
while giving a hand up, rather than a
handout, to those individuals who need
it most,” Bourlakas said.
The 58-year-old organization serves half
of Tennessee’s counties in a territory
stretching from Cookeville to Union City.
It is one of five independently operated
Goodwills in the state.
The local Goodwill provides free training
and employment opportunities for
people struggling to find and keep jobs
for a wide variety of reasons, such as
disabilities, criminal records or lack of
computer skills, and to others simply
wanting to advance their careers. This
mission is funded through the sale of
donated goods in Goodwill’s retail stores.
In 2014, the agency helped 9,558 people
find jobs. The vast majority went to work
with other employers in Middle and
MTSU STUDY: LOCAL GOODWILL HAS MAJOR ECONOMIC IMPACT
E
Ambassador WINTER 2015 14 Our mission is changing lives.
West Tennessee. The effect of those job
placements — including salaries earned
by formerly unemployed people, the
impact of their spending and resulting
sales taxes collected by the state — were
included in MTSU’s calculations, along
with Goodwill’s direct hires and salaries.
“Our research efforts clearly show that
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee
is an important player in the regional
economy. A half-billion dollar economic
impact through its operations and
Goodwill Career Solutions was a real
eye-opener for us,” Arik said.
The assessment did not attempt to
measure Goodwill’s many welfare
benefits to taxpayers, such as reductions
in unemployment compensation
payments, decreases in the prison
population through prevention of
recidivism or curbed landfill use
through resale of used goods, salvage
and recycling. The BERC may attempt to
gauge those benefits in a future study,
Arik said.
In 2013, the BERC and the Center for
Nonprofit Management conducted
an assessment of the entire Nashville
MSA nonprofit sector, and in August,
the MTSU facility partnered with the
Nashville Health Care Council to release
a study of the impact of Nashville’s
health care industry.
The complete, 65-page economic impact assessment of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee can be viewed at:
giveit2goodwill.org/accountabilityClick on Economic Impact Report in the sidebar.
$476 millionAmount Goodwill accounts for in
business revenue across Middle and
West Tennessee.
13,400Number of jobs Goodwill is
responsible for across its territory,
including external job placements and
its own employees, which number
more than 2,100.
$277 millionAmount of wages and salaries
associated with Goodwill’s jobs and
external job placements each year.
Goodwill spends about $77 million
annually. This means each dollar
spent by Goodwill creates $3.30 in
benefits to local communities.
$21 millionAmount of taxes and fees for state
and local governments generated by
Goodwill.
$100 millionAmount of wages and salaries
generated by Goodwill in Davidson
County alone. Goodwill also creates
business revenues of about $162
million and is involved in the
employment of 4,200 people in
the county.
11 percentGoodwill’s share of employment
impact in the non-profit sector of the
Nashville Metropolitan Statistical
Area. Goodwill accounts for 5 percent
of business revenue impact in that
sector.
21,659 The number of jobs Goodwill is
expected to contribute to annually by
2024, including direct employment
and external placements. That
number is a 62 percent increase over
current employment impact.
Economic Impact Study Highlights
$717 millionTotal annual business revenue forecast to be created or stimulated by Goodwill by 2024.
15Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
Ambassador WINTER 2015 16 Our mission is changing lives.
AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2015
TOGETHER, WE CHANGED LIVES
GOODWILL SURPASSES2015 MISSION GOALS
oodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee,
Inc., strives to find effective ways to help as
many people as possible achieve meaningful
employment.
By the end of November our Goodwill, which serves 48
counties in Middle and West Tennessee, had placed 14,099
people into new, meaningful jobs, breaking its own record
and far surpassing its 2015 placements goal. This goal was
nearly 18 percent more than last year’s 9,558 job placements.
Furthermore, we had assisted 34,552 people, a nearly 23 percent
rise over last year’s total — with a month still left to go.
At the local Goodwill, 90 cents of every dollar goes toward
the mission of helping end unemployment and putting people
to work via 29 no-cost career centers. Surpassing these goals
would not have been possible without Goodwill's partnerships
with other community-based organizations and nonprofits.
These partnerships allow for increased access to Goodwill
Career Solutions centers and services, extending Goodwill’s
reach into communities in need.
Partnerships with more than 1,800 employers were also key.
Through these partnerships, Goodwill hosts job fairs and on-
site career center hiring events, connecting job candidates to
companies seeking employees.
An economic impact assessment by the Business and Economic
Research Center of Middle Tennessee State University found
business revenues associated with Goodwill’s 2014 job
placements totaled nearly $298 million. That means Goodwill
is having a major impact on the health of the local economy.
We are all affected by the economy, so when you donate to
Goodwill or shop at your local Goodwill store, you are not
only helping your neighbors and community, you are helping
yourself as well.
Thanks for supporting Goodwill!
Betty J. Johnson, Vice President and Chief People Officer
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
G
very morning for the past few years, Charisse Haddox’s family members have given her a ride to work at Goodwill
in downtown Nashville. Then, after a full shift, one of them has picked her up and driven her to a second job. Finally, at the end of a 13- or 14-hour workday, Haddox has waited for someone to come get her and drive her home. “It's a struggle when you have to depend on someone else,” the 42-year-old Nashville resident explained. “Especially when you were used to being independent for so long.” Haddox held down a job as a certified teacher’s assistant for two decades. But when she lost that job about four years ago, she had to start from scratch. She searched for another job without success for six months. A friend told her Goodwill helps people who are struggling to find employment. Haddox visited the Goodwill Career Solutions Center in downtown Nashville. After attending two Job Jams — meetings at which Goodwill career counselors share resources and job leads
with clients, Haddox was hired as an associate in Goodwill’s garment hanging department. Things were looking up, but then, after eight months on the job, the transmission failed on her old Pontiac Grand Prix. After that, she had to rely on others for transportation to work or to go grocery shopping for herself and her two nephews, whom she is raising. Though she would have loved to buy a car, she has struggled to keep everyone fed and housed — even after getting a promotion to assistant supervisor of Goodwill’s garment hanging department. The lack of a car seemed like a roadblock to progress, Haddox said. On Nov. 24, Goodwill removed those limitations by giving her a free car. At a special ceremony held at Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee headquarters in downtown Nashville, the not-for-profit’s President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas presented Haddox with a pre-owned 2002 GMC Envoy in good running condition through Goodwill’s Wheels-to-Work program. The car was donated to Goodwill by a Brentwood couple.
The Wheels-to-Work program helps Goodwill employees and clients who need reliable transportation to get to work. To qualify, participants must meet certain qualifications such as being employed at least 30 hours, having a valid driver’s license and good driving record. After being notified of acceptance into the program, participants must complete training classes on budgeting, defensive driving and car maintenance.
“So many people take for granted that when you walk out of your house there’s a car there that’s going to take you where you need to go. But for many individuals who come to Goodwill seeking an opportunity for a better life (that’s not the case), ” Bourlakas said. He added that the Wheels-to-Work program gives Goodwill an opportunity to help hard-working employees like Haddox overcome that barrier.
Haddox thanked numerous supervisors, co-workers and family members during the ceremony. “This car is truly a blessing,” she said. “I feel like I’ve got my freedom back.”
E
GOODWILL EMPLOYEE RECEIVES FREE CAR: Nashville Woman No Longer Has to Rely on Family for Transportation to Work
17Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
JACKSON STORE OPENING DRAWS HUGE CROWDS
When 70-year-old Shirley Clark of Jackson
tells friends about taking a Goodwill tour
around the state, she means it.
Clark, her 74-year-old sister, 50-year-old
daughter and 25-year-old granddaughter have taken several
vacations in which the primary activity is driving from one
Goodwill store to the next.
“We stay gone three or four days. My daughter plans the trip
out according to where the stores are,” she said. “We have more
fun. After shopping, we get back in the car and compare what
we all bought.”
On Oct. 20, Clark and her sister took what might be best
described as a “staycation,” attending the Grand Opening of
Goodwill’s newest store in one of Jackson’s premiere shopping
areas.
They weren’t alone. By the 8 a.m. ribbon-cutting, a line
of customers stretched from the front doors of the new
23,000-square-foot building at 1495 Vann Drive, around to the
back.
There were so many cars arriving during the ceremony, Ryan
Porter, chief operating officer for the Jackson Chamber, noted, “I
love that we’ve got a parking lot full and a traffic jam here in the
presence of so many Goodwill fans.”
Matthew Bourlakas, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries
of Middle Tennessee, also addressed the hundreds of shoppers
waiting for the store to open. He called the event a “great
celebration” of Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and
employment opportunities to people struggling to find work.
“This mission started over 100 years ago by a Methodist
minister who believed that … by giving someone a hand up and
not a handout, he could change their life through the power of
work,” Bourlakas said.
There are two Goodwill Career Solutions centers in Jackson,
which as of Nov. 30 had assisted 1,846 people and helped 963
land jobs in 2015. These mostly free services are funded by sales
of donated items in Goodwill’s retail stores.
Goodwill has two stores in Jackson. The new store, which also
includes a covered, drive-through Donations Express Center,
replaced one at 53 Carriage House Drive.
After checking out, shopper Cori Ceja paused to admire the new
facility, with its skylights, well-organized shelves and “super
clean” bathrooms. Within an hour of the store’s opening, the
frequent Goodwill shopper had filled a cart to overflowing with
merchandise — a metal model car, a vintage lamp, copper pots,
a Rock City birdhouse and more.
“I came to look for treasure for myself,” Ceja said “You never
W
Ambassador WINTER 2015 18 Our mission is changing lives.
know what you’re gonna find. That’s what’s so exciting and
keeps me coming back.”
That wasn’t the Jackson resident’s only motivation, however.
“Not only can you find things that were made in the U.S., but
you are helping the community and people who work here at
Goodwill,” she said.
One of those people is Stephie, who was entering her third
month of employment with Goodwill. During the grand
opening, the donations processor was in the heavily crowded
furniture area, helping customers. Despite being wedged in
place by customers’ carts, she was grinning from ear-to-ear.
“When you’ve been out of work as long as I have, it’s just a
blessing to have a job,” she explained.
Stephie said she looked for a job without success for about a
year before a friend told her about Goodwill Career Solutions.
She visited one of the Jackson centers and got job readiness and
computer training before being hired on part-time at the new
store.
“It has changed my whole life,” she said. “Goodwill gave me
another chance when nobody else would.”
Outside and to the rear of the building, Carla Richardson
of Henderson was taking advantage of another convenient
Goodwill service. After buying a Halloween costume, dress
pants and jeans at the store, she was dropping off a bag of items
she no longer needed at the Donations Express Center.
“I always try to get rid of something I don’t need when I come to
shop,” she said. “Out with the old, in with the new.”
I came to look
for treasure for
myself. You never
know what you’re
gonna find. That’s
what’s so exciting
and keeps me
coming back.”
Cori CejaGrand Opening Shopper
“
This mission started over 100 years ago by a Methodist minister who believed that … by giving someone a hand up and not a handout, he could change their life through the power of work.”— Matthew Bourlakas, Goodwill CEO
“
19Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
oodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee recently
observed the first-ever Blue Friday, a day to
shop thrift stores for environmentally and
socially conscious gifts while taking advantage
of incredible discounts.
The Nov. 20 event gave shoppers a way to avoid Black Friday
crowds while kicking off the holiday shopping season early
with a treasure hunt for gently used, brand-name goods.
On Blue Friday, Goodwill offered shoppers half off Christmas-
themed merchandise and infant clothes; numerous giveaways,
including two iPad minis; and other perks such as double
MyGoodwillRewards points and a Black Friday coupon.
The promotions pointed out that by purchasing gifts at
Goodwill, shoppers contribute to Goodwill’s mission of
providing job training and employment opportunities while
helping save the environment by extending the life of
valuable used items. By Nov. 30 of 2015, Goodwill Industries of
Middle Tennessee had far surpassed its annual goal, assisting
more than 34,000 people with training and employment
opportunities and placing more than 14,000 into jobs.
Goodwill annually diverts more 28 million pounds of salvage
and recyclable material from landfills — making it one of
Tennessee’s greenest organizations.
LOCAL GOODWILL HOLDS FIRST EVER ‘BLUE FRIDAY’
G
Ambassador WINTER 2015 20 Our mission is changing lives.
he Goodwill Career Solutions center in Union
City was honored by the Obion County
Chamber of Commerce as its 2015 Business
Partner of the Year.
The criteria for the award offers a glimpse as to why the center
is worthy of the recognition. The qualifications for the award
include a commitment to good and ethical business practices,
demonstration of innovation in products or services and
community leadership and involvement.
As of Nov. 30, the center had assisted 1,623 people, and 884 of
those found work through services received. Career Solutions
District Manager Sandra Hickey has seen firsthand how
much work the center has put into training and educating the
community for employment opportunities.
“This award is an achievement our team worked very hard to accomplish,” she said. “The partnerships in the community and outstanding services that we provide to Obion and surrounding counties have been recognized by our peers.”
On Nov. 17, State Rep. Andy Holt presented Goodwill Career
Counselor Mikki Leary with a proclamation approved by the
Tennessee House of Representatives honoring her work in the
community. He also toured the Union City Goodwill Career
Solutions center, retail store and Donation Express Center.
T
UNION CITY GOODWILL CAREER SOLUTIONS RECEIVES HONORS
GOODWILL CARES: HELPING HOMELESS VETS MAKE A NEW START
ddressing the physical needs of homeless veterans
is one of the goals of Operation Stand Down
Tennessee, but it’s not the only priority.
The nonprofit’s Nashville center provides a wide variety of
services to honorably discharged veterans, such as help finding
housing, employment and addiction treatment if needed and
assistance navigating the Veterans Administration system. It
also runs a thrift store that can provide veterans with clothing.
Much of the agency’s funding comes from government grants,
though it also receives private donations.
“Many of these veterans served in combat. There are often a lot
of underlying issues affecting them, like PTSD (post-traumatic
stress disorder) and drug and alcohol abuse,” said Bruce Bailey,
support services coordinator for Operation Stand Down
Tennessee. “Anything we can do to rebuild their confidence back
to where it was when they served — that’s our main goal.”
Helping these once proud men and women regain control of
their lives starts with small steps.
One step occurs after a homeless veteran has found housing.
Operation Stand Down screens the veteran to identify their
challenges and ensure they are eligible for assistance. Then, they
contact Goodwill to request a gift card through its community
assistance program — Goodwill Cares.
In 2014, Goodwill Cares provided families and individuals
in need with 922 gift cards worth more than $20,000 in
merchandise, often through partner agencies like Operation
Stand Down Tennessee.
Using the cards, veterans are able to purchase home goods such
as pots and pans, couches and dressers. Bailey said Operation
Stand Down employees coach veterans on using the gift cards
wisely, such as shopping on the first Saturday when all Goodwill
merchandise is half-off.
“We try to establish the hand-up-not-handout thing,” he said.
“We want them to do the legwork. … It teaches them to be smart
with their resources and learn how to budget.” The veterans are
always appreciative, he said.
“A lot of them are working off fixed income and any little bit
helps. Making a place their own is a huge deal.”
“Many of these veterans served in combat. There are often a lot of underlying issues
affecting them, like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and drug and alcohol abuse.
Anything we can do to rebuild their confidence back to where it was when they
served — that’s our main goal.” — Bruce Bailey, support services coordinator for Operation Stand Down TN.
A
21Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
What brought you to Goodwill?An opportunity to expand my skills,
knowledge and experience in HR.
Goodwill gave me an opportunity to
grow and learn as a Human Resources
professional.
What has surprised you most in your time with Goodwill? What surprises me the most is how
quickly the years have flown by and
our growth as an organization. When
I started working here in 2000 we had
approximately 600 employees, and we
have more than tripled in size.
How do you change lives? I change lives through providing
service and support to our employees.
What do you enjoy most about your job?I enjoy the people I work with at
Goodwill. The HR Department is
comprised of a lot of great people
who have wonderful personalities,
great work ethic, and compassion. I
also enjoy assisting our employees
and supporting our talented staff of
managers and supervisors.
Why is your job important to Goodwill’s mission? I believe my job is important to
Goodwill’s mission because I am
responsible for ensuring that all of our
employees are treated with respect in
accordance with our core values.
Shelia Holt Human Resources Manager
Shelia Holt’s primary duty is to assist employees
with concerns while providing a work
atmosphere in which they feel safe to report
them. She ensures that everyone, employees and
supervisors, adheres to and administers Goodwill
policies and procedures consistently. She leads
a team of six Human Resources consultants and
one assistant.
CHANGE LIVESi
Shelia was a teen mom long before
there was a reality show on the
topic on MTV. She delivered her
oldest son when she was a senior
in high school. Four years later,
Shelia’s mother died and she assumed
responsibility for her brother
William, who was then 13. So, at 22,
Shelia was a single mother raising
two boys and working part-time
to put herself through college. But
she graduated from Tennessee State
University and was hired as a Human
Resources assistant at SunTrust Bank
where she stayed for three years.
In 2000, she joined Goodwill as a
Human Resources recruiter and has
since been promoted several times.
She also has obtained her master’s
degree in public administration
and Professional Human Resources
certification. The Lebanon resident is
now married to William Holt and has
three sons: Anthony, 23; William, 13;
and Sherman, 9.
Ambassador WINTER 2015 22 Our mission is changing lives.
CORRECTION Melvin Copeland, an employee in Goodwill’s garment hanging department, was misidentified in a
Fall 2015 Ambassador story about an acapella singing contest held at Goodwill’s headquarters.
Shelia Holt Human Resources Manager
Board of Directors
Chairperson: Fred McLaughlin
Vice Chairperson: Julie F. Wilson
Secretary: Chad M. Grout
Treasurer: Dave M. Fentress
Legal Counsel: Christopher S. Dunn, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP
Goodwill President and CEO: Matthew S. Bourlakas
Goodwill VP & Chief People Officer: Betty J. Johnson
Goodwill VP of Finance Mary La Haie
Goodwill VP of Retail David Jenkins
OFFICERS
Woodretta Allen
J. B. Baker
Bryan L. Bean
Steele Clayton
Andrew Davidson
Chris Dunn
Robert W. Duthie
Dave M. Fentress
James B. Foley
Kathryn S. Gibson
Chad M. Grout
Philip G. Hull
Robert B. Kennedy
R. Craig Laine
Ryan R. Loyd
Ty H. Osman
Christine E. Skold
Todd A. Spaanstra
Grant Starrett**
John W. Stone, III
Kathryn I. Thompson
John C. Tishler
John Van Mol
Jeff Young
Donna Yurdin
** Intern
DIRECTORS
Chairperson: Robert W. Duthie
Robert McNeilly, III
Robert B. Kennedy
TRUSTEES
23Ambassador WINTER 2015 giveit2goodwill.org
Continued from: Page 13
develop critical thinking and teamwork skills, and they gain
confidence in their abilities to be successful in their careers.”
Ryner, a 23-year-old accounting major from Spring Hill, said
her team’s research into Goodwill gave her insight into the
challenges facing nonprofits and a holistic perspective on
business.
“I’m so used to doing accounting and the numbers side of it —
being able to see all aspects combined to create an organization
was most helpful to me,” she said.
Karl Houston, Goodwill’s senior director of marketing
and community relations was one of the judges for the
competition. He said he was extremely impressed with the
students’ efforts and insights.
“It was really exciting to hear presentations from these sharp
young minds and future business leaders,” he said. “Many of
their recommendations deserve and will receive Goodwill’s
serious consideration.”
OUR MISSION
We sell donated goods to
provide employment and
training opportunities for people
who have disabilities and others
who have trouble finding and
keeping jobs.