Ambassador Fall 2014

Ambassador FALL 2014

GOING BEYONDTHE CLASSROOM

Goodwill Shoppers Treated to a Shopping Spree

Another Record-Breaking Month

GOODWILL’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

Wheels-to-Work Celebrating One Year

contents

AmbassadorFALL 2014

Ambassador Fall 2014 1

President and CEO Matthew S. Bourlakas

Publisher Karl HoustonSenior Director of Marketing & Community Relations

Editor and Writer Jamie BerryPR & 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.

Our business is changing lives.

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Goodwill Success Stories

Wheels-to-Work Celebrating One YearGoodwill Shoppers Treated to a Shopping SpreeGoodwill’s Summer Youth Program

Goodwill’s Summer Work ProgramPartnering with Local Nonprofits

Career Solutions Another Record-Breaking Month200 Job Fairs Over the Summer

I Got it at Goodwill

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Board of Directors

DIRECTORSWoodretta AllenJ. B. Baker Bryan L. BeanSteele Clayton David L. CondraGary W. CordellAndrew DavidsonChris DunnRobert W. DuthieDave M. Fentress

James B. FoleyKathryn S. GibsonChad M. GroutPhilip G. HullDecosta E. JenkinsRobert B. KennedyR. Craig LaineRyan R. LoydRobert McNeillyTy H. OsmanChristine E. Skold

Todd A. SpaanstraJohn W. Stone, III*Kathryn I. ThompsonJohn C. Tishler*John Van MolJeff Young*Ex Officio

TRUSTEESFred T. McLaughlinRobert B. KennedyRobert W. Duthie

OFFICERSChairperson: Donna B. Yurdin Vice Chairman: Fred McLaughlinSecretary: Julie F. WilsonTreasurer: Dave M. Fentress

Legal Counsel: Christopher S. Dunn & Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLPGoodwill President and CEO: Matthew S. BourlakasGoodwill VP and Chief Operating Officer: Tammy B. GlassGoodwill VP and Chief People Officer: Betty J. Johnson

2 New Career Solutions CentersNational Disability Employment Awareness Month13

14 I Change Lives - Kevin Bishop

2Ambassador Fall 2014 2giveit2goodwill.org

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!

Drew wrote: I scored some hard to find soundtracks on vinyl at Goodwill today.

GREAT FINDS AND DEALS FROM GOODWILL SHOPPERS

Lydia wrote: Check out the dresses that

Leslie and I got from Goodwill. Leslie paid

$9.99, and I paid only $4.99. We wore them

to the Annual Superintendent’s Banquet

honoring our principals for the great job they

do for the students of WCS!

Jenn wrote: My open shelves are almost complete! Minus one item, I got all of this at Goodwill here in East Nashville. Our place is slowly coming together! igotitat

Goodwill

#

Nicole wrote: I needed some more footed pajamas for my baby girl, so I decided to check out Goodwill first. I snagged seven for only $12!! Excited because most of them were Carter’s brand and in great condition!!

Post your great finds:

#igotitatgoodwill

Leslie

Lydia

Our business is changing lives.Ambassador Fall 2014 3

give joy“Working for Goodwill is pretty awesome,” he said with a big smile on his face. “I love it here. It’s like heaven on earth.” - Stephen

give opportunity“Two years ago, we bought a house and made Cookeville our home,” she said. “Goodwill gave me the opportunity to do that.” -Cindy

give stability“Goodwill has added stability to my life. I can now pay my bills and take care of my wife.” -Richard

GOODWILL

SUCCESSSTORIES

When Stephen started working at the Columbia Goodwill store in 2005, he

was quiet and shy, but you’d never know it if you met him today. “Stephen never meets a stranger, and he never forgets a name,” said Becky Kelly, the manager at Goodwill’s Columbia store. “He goes out of his way to greet every shopper with a smile and a hello.”

Although Stephen works vigorously at his janitorial job by mopping the floors and cleaning the windows, it’s his contagious smile and positive attitude that really makes the store shine. “Stephen never has a bad day,” she said. “He is just a joy to be around. When he comes in to work with that smile on his face, it makes everyone around him happy.”

Making others happy is what Stephen does best, but it’s not the only quality that makes him stand out. “We can always count on Stephen,” said Kelly. “In nine years, he’s never missed a day of work.”

While Stephen enjoys what he does, he said the people are the best part about Goodwill. “Just because I’m different doesn’t mean you should treat me different,” said Stephen. “I love the customers, and they love me. My co-workers are like family.”

After nine years at Goodwill, Stephen can’t imagine working anywhere else. “Working for Goodwill is pretty awesome,” he said with a big smile on his face. “I love it here. It’s like heaven on earth.”

Stephen

Ambassador Fall 2014 4giveit2goodwill.org

Richard spent most of his life changing tires on tractor trailers. After a while, all that

heavy lifting took a toll on his body. “I have a bad disk in my back, and I just couldn’t do the job anymore.”

Over the next several months, Richard applied for dozens of jobs, and he even landed a few interviews, but nothing ever panned out. “I was unemployed for almost a year. We got behind on our bills and were just days from losing our home.”

Richard was about to give up when Goodwill offered him a job as a donation attendant in Smyrna. After five years at Goodwill, he was promoted to a lead donation attendant. “I’ve been doing the new job since July, and I love it,” he said. “I get to travel to eight different donation sites each week, and I still get to interact with our donors, which I enjoy.”

Richard said he is grateful to Goodwill for giving him an opportunity to work again. “If it weren’t for Goodwill, I would probably be out on the street. Goodwill has added stability to my life. I can now pay my bills and take care of my wife.”

During his year of unemployment, Richard was looking for a job that would pay the bills. Today he’s happy he found something much more than that. “It makes me feel good to work for an organization like Goodwill,” he said. “I love my job, and I love Goodwill.”

RichardWhen Cindy came to Cookeville in 2003, she had reached an all-time low in her life. “I had lost my

home, my family and my life as I had known it,” she said. “It was all because of my drug addiction.”

Cindy had spent the last 11 months in prison. As a condition of her early release, she was required to attend recovery meetings and live in a halfway house. “I called dozens, but a halfway house in Cookeville was the only one that would accept me,” she said. “So I hopped on a bus with a few possessions and $10 in my pocket.”

On the way to a meeting, Cindy stopped at the local Goodwill store. She didn’t buy anything, but she left with something of value: a Career Solutions brochure.

Cindy went to the Career Solutions center in Cookeville the very next day. “The career counselor went above and beyond to help me. She knew I needed money immediately, so she found me a job where I could make tips.”

Weeks later, Cindy started a job as a processor at Goodwill. “Within a year, I had purchased a car, rented a home and moved my family here,” she said. “Shortly after that, I received a promotion.”

What started with a brochure 11 years ago has evolved into so much more. “Coming to Goodwill was one of the most important decisions I’ve made. I love the people, and I enjoy my job.”

Cindy said Goodwill has provided her with more than a job. “Two years ago, we bought a house and made Cookeville our home,” she said. “Goodwill gave me the opportunity to do that.”

Cindy

Ambassador Fall 2014 5 Our business is changing lives.

“I’ve had a series of health issues since the age of 12,” he said. “I was even diagnosed with arthritis at a very young age.”- BRADLEY

n August, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee celebrated the one year anniversary of the Wheels-to-Work Program with another vehicle presentation. Goodwill

President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas presented Bradley with the keys to his “new” car at a ceremony on Friday, August 8, on Goodwill’s corporate campus.

Bradley spends his days hanging clothes in one of Goodwill’s downtown Nashville warehouses. He uses the bus for transportation, but the walking or standing can be quite painful. “I’ve had a series of health issues since the age of 12,” he said. “I was even diagnosed with arthritis at a very young age.”

Bradley lives less than 10 minutes from Goodwill, but he spends about two and a half hours on the bus each day. “I ride four

buses each day because my route requires me to transfer buses downtown.”

That all changed on August 8. Bradley got to leave work that day in his very own car. “I think it’s a nice little car,” he said. “I really appreciate Goodwill giving it to me.”

Bradley became the sixth vehicle recipient in the Wheels-to-Work Program. There are several employees and clients currently on a waiting list for the program, so if you have a vehicle you’d like to donate, know that it will be put to good use.

The Wheels-to-Work Program was established in July 2013 to help Goodwill employees and clients eliminate the barrier of transportation. The program gives donated vehicles to qualified Goodwill employees or clients who cannot afford to purchase a vehicle and need one to get to work.

In order to qualify for the program, 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 have to complete training classes on budgeting, defensive driving and car maintenance. n

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CELEBRATING 1 YEAR WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE PRESENTATION

6Ambassador Fall 2014 Our business is changing lives.

“It was such a surprise and so nice of Channel 4 to pay for my clothes. I’m very grateful.”

Surprisesquad4HDCHANNEL

argain shoppers can find amazing deals at Goodwill, but in July, some shoppers at our Goodwill store in Madison were treated to a shopping spree.

The Channel 4 Surprise Squad has been making stops all over Middle Tennessee and surprising people by picking up the tab. They’ve bought gas for drivers, groceries for shoppers and a meal for restaurant goers. They even went to NES and paid customers’ electric bills.

On July 25, the Channel 4 Surprise Squad showed up at the Rivergate Goodwill store with $1,100 to spend. Holly Thompson made the first announcement at 9:15 a.m. “Shoppers, we have a big surprise for you today. I’m Channel 4’s Holly Thompson, and we want to give you a shopping spree on us. You have 10 minutes to get whatever you need or want and then get to register 7, and the Channel 4 Surprise Squad will pay for whatever is in your cart.”

For Laura Gang, the gift came as a huge blessing. “I’m a stay-at-home mom right now, so we are on a really tight budget,” she said. “We just bought a used car, so I know we have limited funds.”

Gang spent her 10 minutes shopping in children’s clothing. “I’m having a little girl next month, and my son is getting too big for his clothes, so I’m trying to stock up before I have the baby.”

When Gang finally made her way to the register, she had found plenty of fall and winter clothes for the kids. “I was only going to purchase a few things, but I ended up with around 15 items, which is amazing.”

The Channel 4 Surprise Squad paid for all of Gang’s purchases, and the purchases of approximately 50 other Goodwill shoppers. “It was such a surprise and so nice of Channel 4 to pay for my clothes,” said Gang. “I’m very grateful.” n

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GOODWILL SHOPPERS TREATED TO A SHOPPING SPREE

Laura Gang


chool is all about reading, writing and arithmetic. Goodwill’s Summer Youth Program goes beyond the classroom. Teens spend four weeks learning the life skills they need to help

them successfully transition into adulthood. The four-week job readiness program is offered twice each summer and focuses on everything from career and finance to health and fitness.

The classes are held at Goodwill’s corporate office on Herman Street in downtown Nashville, but there are plenty of local business tours and field trips. “Our goal is to prepare them for the next phase in their lives, whether that’s higher education or employment,” said Samuel Smith, good life trainer for Goodwill. “We also want the students to experience new things and learn new skills.”

Students are taught how to carry themselves, how to dress properly and how to interview for a job. For those who want to go on to college, the program also includes tours of several local universities.

There’s also a huge focus on health and fitness. Students are given a fitness test, attend a yoga and karate class, and earn their

first aid and CPR certification. Then it’s off to Kroger where they learn how to make good food choices. “We take them grocery shopping and show them how to read food labels,” said Smith. “The teens then get to cook the items they purchased.”

The teens also learn the importance of personal finance and how to save and spend. They also spend a day volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank. “It’s important that they experience the gift of giving back to their community, even if it’s just their time.”

The program also features several guest speakers who tackle various topics including more serious subjects such as suicide and bullying. “These are epidemics facing these teens today, and we want to educate them on these issues.”

Smith hopes the program continues to help teens not only overcome any obstacles they may have but exceed their goals in life. “The transformation we witness from day one to day 30 is astounding,” said Smith. “We must continue to invest in our youth because they are our future leaders.” n

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GOODWILL’S

SUMMERYOUTHPROGRAMGOING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Samuel Smith

8Ambassador Fall 2014 giveit2goodwill.org

JuanThis program taught me how to be responsible and respectful. I also enjoyed hanging out with everyone. I like people that laugh, and we laughed a lot.

ChantisThis program taught me how to be independent and make better choices. I also liked that we did something different every day. I really enjoyed everything.

Ke’Aira Not only did I make several new friends, but I learned new things. This program will definitely have an effect on my future job experiences.

Shontavia I learned how to manage money, and how important it is to be on time. I got very close with the other teens in the program.

Mikeisha Mr. Sam is fun, and I love Ms. Christina. I also made some new friends. I have really enjoyed myself, and I learned so many things.

JeremiahMy favorite activity was cooking. I got to make ribs for the first time. I also enjoyed the field trips, the teachers and the other teens. Honestly, I enjoyed everything.

BrittanyThis program has taught me a lot about jobs and what you need to do to get one. It has also taught me the importance of being on time.

ShundasiaThis program has taught me how to be more responsible. I’ve learned that it’s not always about me, it’s about us. Thank you for this opportunity.

JasmineI really enjoyed our tour at Meharry Medical College. We got to see some of the things incoming freshman will be doing this school year.

ShaunI have learned so much. I feel more prepared for a job interview after our mock interviews. I also enjoyed our visit to the Frist Center and our NewsChannel 5 tour.

Chantel I learned how to manage my money, how to do CPR and how to interview for a job. Thank you for preparing me for the future.

XavierI’ve learned how to perform CPR, how to cook, how to write a resumé and how to manage money. This has been the best experience I’ve ever had.

LaRayI really appreciate having the opportunity to be a part of this program. It was a great learning experience, and it has prepared me for the real word.

AlexiaI loved our field trips. We visited the Frist Center, TSU campus, Meharry Medical College, Opry Mills Mall, NewsChannel 5 and the Nashville Public Library.

Lachacia I had an amazing experience, and I would do it again. Thank you, Ms. Christina and Mr. Sam. I loved sharing this month with you.

Sha’NiyahI have learned how to do many things such as managing money, CPR and first aid, yoga and much more. I am very blessed to be a part of this program.

SUMMER PROGRAM

IN THEIRWORDS

Timothy My favorite part of the program was getting first aid and CPR certified because these are tools I can use to save someone’s life.

Trennedy


“When they offered me the job, my heart stopped. I was so excited,” said Marquita.

oodwill’s summer work program is celebrating 25 years. The six-week paid summer work training program is offered to high school students who have a disability or

come from a disadvantaged home. Approximately 90 students took part in the program this year, which was offered in Davidson and Williamson Counties.

Students spent their six-week training at various Kroger and Goodwill locations. At Goodwill, students were placed in stores, Donation Express Centers, and in the warehouse, while others worked in departments such as accounting, HR and marketing. For nearly all of the students, it was their first job and their first time earning a paycheck.

Lasandria, Marquita and Trennedy were placed at the Goodwill store in East Nashville. The teens spent their six weeks processing hard goods and clothes. When the program ended, management offered all three of them part-time jobs. “When they offered me the job, my heart stopped. I was so excited,” said Marquita. “Then they trained me to work on the register, which I love, because I get to talk to all of the customers.”

Marquita is a senior at nearby East Nashville Magnet School. She works Wednesdays and Fridays after school. She also works on the weekends. “I love working Saturdays and Sundays because it gives me something to do,” she said. “I’m an only child, and being around others makes me happy. I’m a people person.”

Marquita uses her paycheck to help her mother with the bills, and she buys food. She even paid for most of her school clothes. “I like being able to pay my own way. It makes me feel good to not have to ask my mom for everything.”

After high school, Marquita plans to go to college. Her goal is to one day own her own daycare. For now, she’s happy spending her days at Goodwill. “I’m so thankful to Goodwill for giving me an opportunity to work,” said Marquita with a smile. “I love helping others.” n

The Davidson County portion of the program is partially funded by the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency. Goodwill funds all costs of the program not covered by community resources.

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SUMMER WORK PROGRAMGOODWILL’S

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Lasandria

Marquita


id you know Goodwill partners with several local nonprofits to give back to people in the community? The

Goodwill Cares program was launched in 1999 to assist those who need it most.

In 2013, Goodwill Cares provided more than 1,100 Goodwill gift cards to people who had experienced a recent hardship. In addition, the program helps organizations that need items such as linens, furniture, books or medical equipment to serve their clients.

One of the organizations Goodwill Cares partners with is United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Middle Tennessee. In 2013, UCP provided more than 1,700 pieces of medical equipment

to people who have a disability or who are recovering from a recent injury. “Insurance does not always pay for medical equipment, and it can be expensive,” said Margaret Eighmy, director of equipment exchange for UCP of Middle Tennessee. “We give it away, but we do ask people to make a donation in our money bucket if they can afford to do so.”

Goodwill provides UCP with various pieces of equipment from crutches and walkers to shower seats and wheelchairs. “Since our partnership in 2008, Goodwill has given us more than 1,200 pieces of medical equipment,” she said. “I don’t know what we would do without Goodwill. We are very grateful for our partnership and this program.” n

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or a third year in a row, Goodwill held a donation drive at a Jackson Generals home game. Goodwill set up a donation trailer in the parking lot of the stadium on

Friday, June 27. In just one hour, Goodwill received several donations including clothing, shoes and household items. Each person who made a donation to Goodwill received two free tickets to an upcoming game.

JACKSON GENERALS DONATION DRIVE

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For more information, visit giveit2goodwill.org/programs/goodwill-cares

“Since our partnership in 2008, Goodwill has given us more than 1,200 pieces of medical equipment,”

- Margaret Eighmy UCP of Middle Tennessee

PARTNERING WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS


id you know Goodwill Career Solutions provides free one-on-one job training and placement services to people who

need help looking for, finding and keeping a job?

Goodwill Career Solutions set a goal to assist 20,000 people in their search for work and place 6,000 people in jobs this year. As of August 1, Career Solutions had already assisted 18,305 and placed 4,946 in jobs.

In July, Career Solutions set a record when it placed 817 people into jobs. The previous record of 767 was set in June.

The increase in placements is partly due to the increase in the number of job fairs hosted by Goodwill Career Solutions. More than 80 job fairs were conducted at the 27 Career Solutions centers in July. That’s up from an average of 50 in the previous months of 2014.

Goodwill Career Solutions provides job seekers with the skills needed to perform well at a job fair. Each center is staffed with a career counselor who provides assistance with job searches, job applications, resumés and interviewing skills.

Career Solutions also offers six computer programs, plus several certification and training courses including Call Center Training, Document Imaging Training, Custodial Certification and Forklift Certification.

For more information about Career Solutions, and a list of upcoming job fairs, visit goodwillcareersolutions.org n

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CAREER SOLUTIONS ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING MONTH

GOODWILL

18,305

PEOPLE SERVED YEAR-TO-DATE

JULY 2014

JOB FAIRS

80+JULY 2014

PEOPLE PLACED IN JOBS

817767JUNE 2014

50JUNE 2014


MT. JULIET CAREER SOLUTIONS AWARDED FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Mt. Juliet Career Solutions center opened its doors on May 22, and it’s already making an impact in the community. In just three months, Career counselor Barry Howard and his team assisted 234 people in their search for work and placed 66 people in jobs. The center also hosted 15 job fairs for 40 employers.

On August 21, the center received a Community Enhancement award from the Mt. Juliet/West Wilson Chamber of Commerce. The award is given to businesses whose operations, services or practices impact the community in a positive way.

his summer has been one of the busiest yet for Goodwill Career Solutions. The centers in Middle and West Tennessee hosted nearly 200 job fairs in three months.

A job fair on June 30 at the downtown Nashville Career Solutions center attracted 125 job seekers. Eight employers were present including Holiday Inn, Metro Nashville Public Schools and AlliedBarton Security Services.

In July, the Springfield Career Solutions center hosted two job fairs for MasterStaff and Altruistic Staffing. More than half of the job seekers who attended those job fairs were hired on the spot.

The Career Solutions center in Dickson hosted three job fairs for Popeye’s. Nearly 100 people attended those job fairs, and 54 people were hired on the spot. The job fairs were held on July 31, August 5 and August 6.

The Career Solutions center on West University Parkway in Jackson partnered with Bethel University to host several job fairs at various locations in West Tennessee. On August 20, a job fair at the Mildred G. Fields Memorial Library in Milan attracted more than 140 people. Ten employers were present including Hamilton Ryker, Cox Oil and Personnel Placements.

200 JOB FAIRS OVER THE SUMMER

2 NEW CAREER SOLUTIONS CENTERS IN 2 MONTHS CLARKSVILLE

The city of Lebanon will soon get its first ever Career Solutions center. A grand opening celebration will take place this fall. The new center will be located next to the Goodwill store on West Main Street.

On August 28, Goodwill opened a brand new Career Solutions center next to the Goodwill store on Madison Street in Clarksville. The grand opening celebration included a ribbon cutting and a job fair. Five employers were

present including Convergys, Clarksville Dental Center and HG Staffing. Openings ranged from nurses and clerical workers to customer service representatives and line workers. More than 80 job seekers attended the event.

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ennessee’s unemployment rate stands at seven percent, but the unemployment rate among

adults with disabilities is even higher than that. During October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Goodwill encourages employers to strengthen their workforces by hiring qualified people with disabilities.

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee offers a program for people with disabilities who may need more time to adapt into the world of work. For individuals with a documented physical, mental or emotional disability, the Transitional Services Employment Program offers one-on-one job readiness skills.

For John House, the one-on-one assistance made all the difference. House served the Franklin community for 28 years as a firefighter, but an injury to his back would eventually lead him to early retirement.

House soon learned that retirement income was not enough to continue paying his bills, so he started working part-time jobs to supplement his income. For nearly 15 years, House tried different types of work, but his back pain was so severe, he couldn’t stay on the job for long.

House realized he needed to find a job that wouldn’t require him to be on his feet all day, so he turned to Goodwill for help. Transitional services case manager Lee Anderson showed him how to use a computer, how to search for jobs online and helped him complete online applications.

In May 2014, House accepted a job as a courtesy driver for Toyota of Cool Springs. Turns out, this is the perfect job for him because it doesn’t require him to be on his feet, and he loves being around people.

People with disabilities and people like John have skills and abilities to contribute to our community, when they are placed in the right job.

To schedule an appointment with a transitional services case manager, visit goodwillcareersolutions.org.

Held each October, the U.S. Department of Labor commemorates National Disability Employment Awareness Month to raise awareness about disability employment issues and to celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. The theme for 2014 is “Expect. Employ. Empower.”

Goodwill stands with the U.S. Department of Labor and encourages companies and organizations to build more inclusive business cultures that value diversity and encourage leaders to hire, retain and advance qualified individuals with disabilities. n

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What brought you to Goodwill? I’ve had vision problems most of my life. When I came to Goodwill, I had been unemployed for more than two years due to my eyesight getting increasingly worse. I wanted to return to work and challenge myself.

Did you go through Career Solutions? I stopped by the Career Solutions center in Murfreesboro and was enrolled in the transitional program. This program gave me a chance to reenter the workforce with some assistance, which helped build my confidence. It was a big adjustment both mentally and physically, but I am so happy now.

The Transitional Services Employment Program provides intensive job readiness services to people who have disabilities who may need more time to adapt into the world of work. Participants learn to work both independently and in a team environment and gain marketable skills.

What does your current job consist of? I greet our customers as they enter the store. I will get them a shopping cart if they want one, and I inform them of the color of the week. I am always upbeat and positive because I want our customers to feel warm and welcome. I enjoy being around people, so it’s the perfect job for me.

How do you provide excellent customer service? I’m always looking for ways to make our customers happy when they walk through the doors. Recently, my manager asked me to hand out the donation cards to customers. On the back, I wrote different sayings like, “Smile, someone cares about you,” or “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” Customers loved it.

Why is your job important to Goodwill’s mission? I’m providing a service to the public. I’m not only greeting them as they walk in the door, I’m also building relationships with our customers. When customers receive excellent service, they come back. That’s why my job is important to Goodwill’s mission.

How do you change lives?

I change lives with a smile. If someone is having a bad day, sometimes it only takes a smile and a few positive words to brighten their day. I offer that to our customers. I want them to feel like they are the most important people on earth, because they are.

Kevin BishopGreeter

As the greeter of the Murfreesboro Goodwill store on Memorial

Boulevard, Kevin interacts with hundreds of customers each day. He

changes lives with a smile and a few kind words. Customers love

Kevin. They even ask about him when he’s not at work.

CHANGE LIVESi

Kevin has had vision problems since he was 3-years-old, and his eyesight gradually deteriorated.

When Kevin was 20-years-old, he took a job as a meat cutter. He said he was slow at the job, but he was a hard worker. Kevin was even promoted to a meat manager. He worked in the meat cutting field for 17 years, but his vision had gotten so bad, he had to quit.

Kevin remained unemployed for more than two years. He said he was miserable during that time.

In 2012, Kevin’s wife encouraged him to go to the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. After graduation, he came to Goodwill in hopes of finding a job. Kevin has been greeting customers at the Murfreesboro store on Memorial Boulevard since February 2013.

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Ambassador Fall 2014

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Transcript of Ambassador Fall 2014