This past Saturday I had the good fortune of working the Goodwill Drive for Drives at Werner Park. For those of you who don’t know, the Drive for Drives was a computer recycling drive sponsored by Goodwill, the West Omaha Rotary Club and WOWT. Goodwill actually accepts computers for recycling or resale at all our locations throughout the year, but events like this serve as a reminder to the community that we offer this service. They’re also a reminder for folks to clean out their offices and garages and bring their old computers to Goodwill for this special event.

Cars line up to drop off their donations at the row of trailers

Your trusty blogger surveys the scene

Most of you know that the weather wasn’t exactly stellar last Saturday, but you would have never known it from the collective energy and enthusiasm of the Goodwill retail staff in attendance. I showed up to work the event at about 10am, and everything was all set up. There were about 15 trailers lined up side-by-side at Werner Park’s parking lot. Each trailer has several staff ready to load it. Cars would be sent all the way to the last trailer with the following cars queued up behind. At times we would be unloading up to ten cars at the same time. It was an amazing design that Retail Operations Director Shirley Hall put together for the drive, and it allowed all the employees and volunteers to have a hand in unloading the cars and trucks as they arrived.

In between cars, there was plenty of time to talk. The people in my area used that time to make fun of me for a wide variety of reasons:

• My sunglasses made me look like Tom Cruise from Risky Business.
• I wasn’t helping enough.
• I was helping too much and getting in the way.
• I didn’t know what I was doing.
• I wasn’t taking enough pictures.
• I was taking too many pictures.
• I wasn’t getting in the trailer the right way.
• I wasn’t getting out of the trailer the right way.

And it went on from there. It really helped pass the time. There was also a huge debate about proper procedures for waving a car through. Overhand? Or Underhand/ZZ Top Style? We never formed a consensus.
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Top Omaha-area companies will be at Goodwill’s 72nd & Ames Headquarters on Wednesday, February 29 to share information on open positions in the customer service field. Stop by 4805 N 72nd St. from 1pm to 4pm to meet with representatives from these companies. Be prepared for potential on-the-spot interviews — bring your resume and dress professionally!

The job fair is free and open to the public. Please do not dress casually or bring children to the event.

We hope to see you there! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Customer Connect Manager Ginny Powell at 402.231.1939 or vpowell@goodwillomaha.org.

Goodwill of Delaware has added a new level of service to their mission. Not only are they providing employment opportunities and keeping used items out of landfills, but their new medical equipment reconditioning program makes it easier and more affordable for low-income people to meet their healthcare needs.

From DelawareOnline.com:

The nonprofit has launched a new business of refurbishing and selling durable medical equipment such as canes, crutches, hospital beds, wheelchairs and scooters for adults and children.

It takes gently used — and tax-deductible — public donations at its stores and worked out an agreement with Delaware Medicaid and Medical Assistance to receive equipment that was purchased with Medicaid funds but no longer is being used.

The idea came from the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies. The center got a federal grant to examine the feasibility of the equipment reconditioning, reuse and recycling concept, Goodwill spokesman Ted Sikorski said, adding, “they were looking for someone that could provide the retail aspect.”

The agency was well-suited for the task, using its network of donation centers to collect the used medical equipment and its employment and training and retail infrastructure to prepare the items for resale. And with healthcare costs rising around the country, the program helps put medical equipment in the hands of those who need it at a fraction of the costs of new materials.

Check out the rest of the story at DelawareOnline.com.

You can also read more about the Assistive Technology department at The University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies at the university website, or learn more about the the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative at the separate DATI site. And check out Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County’s Refurbished Medical Equipment page on their agency website, where you can find more details about how the program operates and what equipment they offer.

Join us throughout October in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Goodwill Omaha encourages the public and private sectors to hire applicants with disabilities and benefit from the unique talents they bring to the workplace.

In order to get the highest return on investment, Goodwill® knows that businesses need to hire the right workers. Employees with disabilities represent skilled workers in all industries, who are capable of confronting challenges and solving problems, and are receiving the training that modern businesses require.

For decades, Goodwill agencies throughout North America have trained and hired people with disabilities to work in Goodwill stores, donation centers and career centers as well as in emerging fields outside of Goodwill including healthcare, green industries and financial services. Goodwill depends on their expertise and this diverse workforce has helped Goodwill grow into a leading social enterprise that served more than 2.4 million people in 2010.

People with disabilities are a dependable and valuable workforce who have higher rates of employee retention, which reduces hiring and training costs. Employers can leverage tax benefits from hiring people with disabilities and attract a broader customer base for their goods and services. At the same time, employers can demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility by hiring people with disabilities, which include youth, older workers and military veterans.

Individuals with disabilities can receive employment training and job search assistance through Goodwill Omaha programs such as Work Experience, Projects With Industries, and Goodwill Specialty Services, Inc, an AbilityOne affiliate. Look for more about these programs, employee highlights, and disability employment statistics throughout the month of October.

In the meantime, here are some resources on people with disabilities in the workforce.
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KETV Omaha ran a story yesterday featuring Goodwill’s lawn care services, which not only provide grounds maintenance for businesses and homes but also help employ people with barriers to employment.

Since 2005, Goodwill Industries has been growing its lawn service business, putting people such as Kevin Brown to work.

Brown is a convicted felon and recovering drug addict. Until he found Goodwill, he said he had trouble finding a job.

Goodwill gave him a chance five years ago and he’s been working in lawn care ever since. It’s a fresh start and an opportunity he said he’s grateful for.

“It means a lot to me. I’m up at 4:30 in the morning with a smile on my face. I’m ready to rock and roll. And I’m blessed, I’m a very blessed individual today,” Brown said.

Kevin was an Employee of the Month in 2010 and a nominee for Employee of the Year. He’s a great worker and a great guy — just look at that smile! You can find out more about Goodwill’s lawn care services — and see Kevin at work — by visiting KETV.com.

Goodwill offers mowing, fertilization, aeration, mulching and pressure washing. Give us a call at 402-573-4712 for a free estimate!