When people think of Goodwill, they often think of a great place to shop for inexpensive treasures or the perfect place to donate their unwanted items... what most don't realize is the tremendous impact Goodwill Industries of The Southern Piedmont is making in our community. Goodwill is providing top-notch job training for those in need for many industries from construction to banking and changing lives not only of the individuals trained, but of their families as well. I’ve been personally brought to tears at Goodwill graduation ceremonies watching the pride of these Goodwill trainies as they celebrate their accomplishments. Work gives a human being a place in our community and self-worth. Belief and hope in a better tomorrow… This is truly what Goodwill is providing on daily basis. Keep donating, shopping and get involved with Goodwill Industries of The Southern Piedmont!
Until a few years ago, I only looked at Goodwill as a place to donate my used items. I knew that they were reputable, but I had no idea what they did with the revenue they generated from the resale of these items. I then saw a tv ad for Goodwill that explained that the money went towards job training. In this economy, that is great news for our community! I've always found their donation sites and stores to be clean and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I recommend GWSP to everyone and will continue to support this wonderful cause by donating and shopping!
When I worked with a community service agency that served limited resource families, I often referred people seekin jobs to the local Goodwill Job Industries Office. When my job started to be phased out, I realized I had grweat resources available to me, and I turned to Goodwill to help me create a new and quality resume. I had worked for this other organization for almost ten years, and I had not updated my resume or my computer skills in all that time. I realized that my computer skills were nowhere near the level they needed to be in order to secure a good job in a professional field. This led me to taking the Occupational Skills Training Program PC Basic Essentials Skills Training. I was very impressed with the quality of the training in Word, Excel & Powerpoint. Powerpoint had always been made out as being so hard, but after the class, I realized it is both easy and fun to create. The instructor, Tracy Wilson, made the course both easy to follow and thorough. If I needed qustions answered, she was more than happy to assist me. After having completed the class, and having heard that volunteers are always appreciated, I decided to "pay it forward" by volunteering withthe organization. I volunteered at teh front desk, assisting patrons with their computerized job searches, as well as answering phones and completing basic office tasks as they were needed. I volunteered almost daily from April until November 16, when I was hired by the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, as an Employment Consultant. It was because of my skill updates, experience, and the Job Seeking Skills class that I took at Goodwill, that I was hired. I was told that I had a very good interview, and I feel that the skills I learned, allowed me to do as well as I did.
My name is Patricia Masullo. I was laid off from my job in 2004. In 2005, I was introduced to Goodwill Industries, after I had taken a computer class at a local community college; a class which I felt I got very little out of. Goodwill began their first computer class in Gaston County and I was given the opportunity to attend. The people who worked there were very encouraging and I knew that I would get something valuable out of it. My confidence level elevated as I took the class and actually gained experience that I knew I would need to become employed with a good company. In fact, after I graduated, within nine days I had two job offers. I took one of the jobs, but Goodwill continued opening doors and giving me more opportunities that I wouldn't have thought I was qualified for. I began working though temp services and I was told about the job that I currently have that has become not just a job, but a career. Since I have been involved with Goodwill I have been given opportunities to speak on behalf of this wonderful corporation; including telling my story to many others in order to encourage them that Goodwill does offer valuable training; and more importantly builds self-esteem and confidence in the person,to help them realize that they are a valuable asset to a company. In fact, after a year of my introduction to Goodwill Industries, I was presented with the "Cornestone Award," for my accomplishments. Not only does Goodwill touch the lives of the person who attends the classes, it touches the lives of that person's whole family, as they see them become accomplished and settled into a satisfying career.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is making a difference in the Charlotte area Hospitality Community. By training clients in most aspects of the hospitality industry, they are helping to create knowledgeable applicants new to our industry. I have been involved since the foundation of this training program, and have seen constant attention and ongoing improvement to the program. Through careful screening of program applicants and thorough training, the calibre of their graduates is consistently very high. Because of the high attendance and participation expectations for the attendees, I have the confidence that most Goodwill Hospitality Training Program graduates will demonstrate interest, enthusiasm and reliability if they become associates at our hotel. In fact, one of our associates who graduated from the program has received such positive guest recognition that she has received our Associate of the Month award, a "Spirit to Serve" award from our corporate offices, and a promotion during her tenure here. We are very pleased to be participants and beneficiaries of the Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Hospitality Training Program.
Goodwill has outstanding training programs!! I know because I am a former graduate. Because of Goodwill I am now in the Hospitality industry. I have been working here for 3 and half years. I attribute my success to their thorough training. I started at the front desk and now I am in sales. I love it!!
For the past two years, I have worked with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont to plan a donation drive at our school. Everyone from Goodwill has been extremely professional, friendly, and accommodating. Our students love seeing Smiling G and they've learned how Goodwill plays a role in helping others and promoting reuse/recycling. Personally, I've always been a Goodwill donor, but it wasn't until I started working more closely with the organization that I understood how in-depth their job-training programs are and how beneficial this organization is to our community.
After an article in the Charlotte Observer revealed that Goodwill donations were down significantly in 2008, our neighborhood turned a multi-family yard sale into the first-ever neighborhood Goodwill drive. Goodwill parked an 18-wheeler in front of my house, and we asked neighbors to donate their unwanted items. In just 3 hours, 100 families donated 10,000 items worth $23,000 and filled up the truck! Everyone at Goodwill was thrilled and made personal phone calls and sent emails of gratitude for our efforts. This successful event began a new marketing strategy for Goodwill, as they expanded their efforts via donation drives in neighborhoods and schools. The best part about Goodwill is that they use revenue from their stores to invest in long-term solutions as they educate and train people for jobs. This type of investment in an individual will last a lifetime.
Excellent organization, well-managed and always maintaining clear mission focus, helping area job-seekers receive both professional guidance and traning. At all levels of GISP, every effort is made to help improve the lives of individuals through gainful employment, as well as assistance in managing finances, training for positions with increased opportunities for compensation and basic life skills.