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MARCH • 2016Welcome to the ClothesLine

- the monthly employee newsletter! In each edition we will be covering all corners of

the agency every month. Enjoy!

EMPLOYEE OF THEMONTH!

Learn more about our Employee of the Month,

Ann Woodford and all the excellent work she does.

ork Experience participants ask, “Where does salvage go?”

Customers question, “Why are students in this Goodwill? What do they do here?”

With these questions in mind, Work Experience Program trainers developed an idea.

What if the salvaged clothing from Goodwill was used to make and market a product?

After many hours spent researching on Pinterest, a plan was hatched: Goodwill’s abundance of salvaged t-shirts could be used to make rag rugs.

Work Experience

participants would have the chance to produce a tangible good, which they would make themselves and help market in their stores. The production and sales of these rugs could emphasize new responsibilities, providing trainers with additional opportunities for coaching their students.

The project began in September as a pilot operation at the Blair and Council Bluffs stores. Sorter/hangers placed t-shirts in boxes that Work Experience participants collected, sorted by color, and then cut into strips after a rug design was decided upon.

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MANAGER OF THE QUARTER!

Get to know our Manager of the fourth quarter,

Megan Sharpe and all the hard work she does.

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DONATIONS GET EXTRA LIFEby Sam Comfort

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

WElsie Kay Comfort, daughter of Sam Comfort, gets ready for a nap - demonstrating the multiple uses of rag rugs

2 WELCOME

PUBLISHER: Frank McGreeEDITOR IN CHIEF: Rita CrumMANAGING EDITOR: Ann WoodfordSTAFF WRITERS: Brent Koster, Elizabeth Donner, Kris Pachunka, Rebecca Armstrong Langle, Erin Swanson Russell, Niki O’Shea and Maria Alban. FAN CLUB PRESIDENT: Teresa MagnusonTHE CLOTHESLINE is published monthly and is available at each Town Hall meeting. If you are unable to attend Town Hall, you may also find copies in the Marketing area at BPP, or request to have a copy delivered to you by calling 402.231.1912.

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

MARCH 2016Competing for continuation of WIOA Services – On Feb. 1 Goodwill submitted proposals to continue managing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Service, Adult/Dislocated Worker Services and One-Stop Operator contracts for Heartland Workforce Solutions (HWS). We have held the Youth contract since 2005, and the Adult/Dislocated Worker and One-Stop Operator contracts since 2011. HWS will announce their selection at the end of the month. Goodwill believes we are uniquely qualified to meet the requirements of these contracts and believe our performance over the last decade has proved this to HWS.

Grounds Maintenance Division ramping up – It’s only February, but Goodwill’s Grounds Maintenece Services are signing up customers for the 2016 season. We provide both commercial and residential services, so if you need help managing your lawn care, or know of a business that does, call 402-573-4712 for a free estimate.

Goodwill able to support YouthBuild members – Recently a funding source for the YouthBuild North program was forced to discontinue their support of the program for internal reasons. This shortfall would have potentially limited the amount of suportive services some students received will enrolled in YouthBuild. But after reviewing the budget of the program, Goodwill was able to make up the difference, and extend full support to all members of this years class.

Goodwill featured on Omaha Chamber blog– President Frank McGree was invited to contribute to the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Blog last month. He was asked to reflect on what winning the Chamber’s Business Excellence Award meant to the agency. Frank wrote about all areas of the agency, and how excellence can be found in everything we do at Goodwill. A link to the blog can be found on our Facebook page.

by Brent KosterTHE RUNDOWN

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Marketing Design Coordinator Ann Woodford has a strong passion for our mission and is always working hard for Goodwill. She puts her heart and soul into any project she embarks on, which is just one of the many reasons she was named Goodwill’s January 2016 Employee of the Month.

Starting in 2013, Ann has worked diligently to share the Goodwill story while adding a lot of flare to everything that she does. She is

in charge of the website, print ads, brochures, flyers, posters, mailers, signage, newsletters, fact sheets, artwork, displays, Team Blue, donation drives, and overseeing the marketing intern. She continuously takes on new projects while staying on top of her very packed list of daily work.

“Ann has really grown since first coming to Goodwill three years ago,” said Rita Crum, Director of Marketing Communications. “She has

matured in her knowledge and skills as an artist. She provides nothing but top notch customer service when working on projects with fellow coworkers or department. She has an impressive attention to detail and only turns out the best stuff. She continues to evolve and make a difference at Goodwill,” she continued.

Recently, Ann has spent a lot of time developing video skills. “This will help the agency by allowing us to better tell our stories to the public and will help Goodwill save money,” said Development Manager Rebecca Armstrong Langle, who nominated Ann, “Ann does a great job and always has a smile on her face.”

Ann does whatever it takes to get the job done and

is always there to lend a helping hand. Whether it’s revamping the letter head or designing development mailings, Ann does it with style and grace.

“She is more than worthy of employee of the month and truly exemplifies a hardworking and motivated employee,” said Rita. Thank you for all that you do, Ann!

Congrats!

Employee of the Month Ann Woodford (middle) goofs around with Senior Marketing Director Brent Koster and Development Manager Rebecca Armstrong Langle.

by Niki O’SheaEMPLOYEE

MONTHOF THE

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

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Participants learned the task then made improvements on methods for making the rugs. Students tie hundreds of strips to create each rug. The ability to work on rag rugs has led to increased attendance rates and, in one case, a participant learned to tie his shoes independently. Sales of rag rugs began in early January. The Blair store was out of stock in less than a week!

At the Blair store, Work Experience trainer Jenny Salsbury and her students have worked diligently to meet the demand for their goods. Jenny has seen benefits beyond reuse and recycling of donated t-shirts. She has seen a positive change in her participants; a change noticed by parents too. Rebecca Crotty, mother of WE student Mike, states that working on the rag rugs has transformed her son.

“Michael has a focus for his very active mind. He has work that is dignified and in fact, he himself has dignified the work with his “improvement” of the method used to create the rugs. He is more able to accept change in his routine. He is less apt to panic or become unsettled since working on the rugs.

The repetitive nature of the work has grounded him or normalized him to his environment at Goodwill. He liked working before, provided he knew what to do and how to do. He was less inclined to “figure it out’’ or use his instincts to determine what the next best course would be before

working on the rugs. He felt at risk of making a mistake if left alone too long,” said Rebecca.

“Working on the rugs, demonstrating a competency, receiving acknowledgement for work well done and seeing the success of rugs desired (purchased) by others has made a tremendous difference in his demeanor and his attitude toward life in general.

Mike decided himself to seek employment at Goodwill, which amazed us and now he has the confidence to take on tasks we never dreamed possible, like building his own computer. Michael has said, work is a Godsend, without it he believes he would be lost. We can’t express our gratitude enough for the great work Goodwill has done, especially Jenny Salsbury.”

Along with benefitting participants, the rag rugs are a way to highlight the Work Experience Program in stores. At the Madison Avenue Goodwill in Council Bluffs, store manager Lena Pflanz said, “Customers are talking about (the rag rugs). We are able to explain more of what

the Work Experience Program is. Most people don’t realize what the program does. It has opened up a line of communication about the (Work Experience) program.”

Production of the rag rugs would not be possible without an enormous team effort. The Work Experience Program is indebted to Goodwill’s Retail Department and the Marketing Department for their help and support in launching and promoting this project.

In 2016, the project will expand to other Goodwill stores where the Work Experience Program is located. In the meantime, be sure to look for WE participant produced rag rugs the next time you are in Blair or Council Bluffs. Rugs are for sale from $19.99 to $29.99. Another great way to support Goodwill’s mission!

cover story

by Sam Comfort

SALVAGED DONATIONS GET EXTRA LIFE CONT.CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Alissa Brockman, Madison Ave Work Experience participant, cuts strips for a specialized “Shades of Pink” rag rug.

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Corey Himes Production Associate I Madison

Katrina Coco Production Associate I Benson Park Store

Dorothy Bates Production Associate I Benson Park Store

Derek Sloss Cashier 72nd & F

Melanie Rhode Business Outreach Spec. Ames Plaza

Scott Davis Custodian Offutt

Nicole O'Shea Marketing Intern Benson Park Plaza

Danie McClain Cashier Gretna

Alice Kusek QA Specialist-WIA Ames Plaza

James Meyer Custodian Offutt

William Harrison Cashier Papillion

Tammy Headley Cashier Bellevue

WELCOME! Below is a list of all new employees that joined Goodwill in January. Please say hello and make them feel welcome as they begin their new positions with Goodwill.

NEW EMPLOYEES!

NEW HIRES • AWARDS

January 2016AWARDS

LIFESAVERS Ryan ChristensenElsie Del Cid

Luis Lopez

Look around you... There are awesome people doing awesome things every day. Be the one to brighten a co-worker or manager’s day with the Safety Smart, Lifesaver or Above & Beyond Award. Go out and do awesome things and next month your name could be listed here.

STORE MONTHOF THE

Angie, Kermit and staff ended January with a 28.41%

increase over last year and 23.54% over budget. Congratulations to South

Papillion Staff!

SOUTH PAPIO

6 WELLNESS COMMITTEE

n Friday March 11, 2016, the Wellness Committee is

hosting the first annual Goodwill Health and Wellness Fair at BPP from 11a.m. to 1p.m. There will be over 20 health

organizations attending the fair to talk to and educate Goodwill employees and their families about healthy living and improving their overall wellbeing. The fair is open to all Goodwill employees

and their families plus it is FREE. There will be raffle drawings for those attending.

Some of the attending exhibitors include:

- Community Rehab Physical Therapy

- Haney Shoe Store

- The Olsen Center for Women’s Health

- Excel Physical Therapy

- Wenninghoff Farm

- Expert Nutrition, LLC

- Peak Performance

- Herzing University’s Omaha School of Massage & Healthcare

-Life Source Chiropractic

- Life Time Fitness- SilverStone Asset

Management- University of

Nebraska Medical Center

- Positive Nutrition of Omaha

- Mutual of Omaha

- And so much more!

Come with any questions you have about bettering your overall health and wellness!

by Benane Akrurkuch

HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR

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his month we have ten special questions for the

Director of Workforce Services, Justin Dougherty

What do you do at Goodwill?

I’m the Director of Workforce Services. I oversee all our WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) programs as well as Hire Nebraska.

This is your second tour with Goodwill…

Correct. I started right of College with Goodwill at a welfare-to-work program called Project Resolve. Project Resolve was taken from Goodwill soon after, and I was briefly transferred to Work Experience as a trainer at Douglas County Hospital. I’m proud to say that two of my students went on to work at Goodwill, and both have won the Goodwill Achiever of the Year Award since. The state soon gave welfare-to-work back to Goodwill, and I was hired back into the Employment First program. I became a coordinator, and eventually left to work for that program for another organization. And then you were gone for several years. How did you come back?

About two years ago, (E&T Vice President) Linda Kizzier emailed me about the WIOA Director position. We went to Tiger Tom’s to talk about it. The

rest is history. How was the return?It was great. Lots of familiar

faces. It was a little different, coming to BPP when I grew up at PAC (Goodwill’s previous headquarters at 41st and Pacific). But it was great. Seeing people who I hired many years ago now working as managers. Good

stuff.What’s your favorite movie?Big Lebowski and Gangs of

New York. What would your dream

job be? Like if you could be anything?

Snorkeling instructor in Caribbean lsland. Or like a fishing boat captain. Anything near sand and warm water. Or like one of those people who tour the world and write books about it. Or Indiana Jones.

What are three things that you try to do as a manager?

Take my job seriously, but I don’t take myself seriously.

I’m honest. And I never ask a staff member to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I think that last one is called servant leadership, if I’m remembering it right.

What’s an ideal day off for you?

Honestly, sitting with my wife and kids at a day baseball

game. Preferably at Rosenblatt stadium. Is that doable?

You have a big moment coming up with the WIOA contracts being awarded on Friday. How is your department handling it?

I have great people. They work hard, and they care about the work that they do. They’ve been

doing great work for a long time now. Our performance is strong. We consider ourselves an internal candidate for these contracts, and we feel like we’ve done all that we could do to keep them with Goodwill.

How do you think Goodwill is doing?

I’ve been in the world of Workforce Development for 16 years now, and I can say that, with today’s emphasis on that type of programming, Goodwill is poised to do more than ever before to change the lives of people in our community. There are great things ahead.

BIG 10 WITH Justin Dougherty

by Brent KosterTHE BIG TEN WITH JUSTIN DOUGHERTYT

Director of Workforce Services Justin Doughtery along with Quality Assurance Manager Christine Aguilar. (Photo believed to have been taken in 1993)

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When you think of the word “extraordinary,” Megan Sharpe comes to mind. Megan started working at Goodwill in August of 2005 as a Work Experience Trainer. She oversaw Omaha and Bellevue Public School students at the 41st and Pacific location for about two years until she moved over to the AbilityOne program.

In 2010, tragedy struck in Megan’s personal life and she needed to leave Goodwill so she could receive two organ transplants. Megan remained positive through all of her hardships and always used humor while dealing with serious challenges in her health. When Megan was able, she came back to Goodwill in 2012.

“I came back to Goodwill because Goodwill is like a family to me,” said Megan, “I enjoy working every day. If you enjoy what you do you never work a day in your life. This isn’t like a

job to me; it is part of who I am.”Megan loves helping people

and it comes very naturally to

her. She has helped in multiple different employment and training programs including WIOA, READY, and Work Experience. Megan loves that she gets to help so many different types of people and different programs that impact the community.

“All the years Megan has worked at Goodwill she’s always put 100% effort into her work. That never changed during any of the times she faced serious

challenges in her health,” said Linda Kizzier, VP of Employment and Training.

Her sense of humor allows people to feel comfortable while talking to her and asking her for help.

When asked to talk about Megan Sharpe, Holly Schwietz (Work Experience Manager) wasn’t able to put it into words, “the dictionary doesn’t have enough adjectives in it. She’s so

great. We just love her. Megan is a total utility player and does anything that anyone asks. She is very innovative and always coming up with new ideas.”

Megan was very surprised when she won Manager of the Quarter. “I was very shocked and dumbfounded when I received this award. It wasn’t the right time of year to

give out the award so it came out of nowhere. I was told I was giving Ann (Woodford) her Employee of the Month award when they tricked me and gave me my Manager of the Quarter award. I am very honored.”

When she’s not working, Megan loves to spend time with family and travel. She also works at Mark’s Bistro in Dundee in the evening’s and would love some visitors!

Congratulations on your well-deserved win, Megan!

Manager of the Quarter Megan Sharpe

by NIki O’SheaMANAGER

QUARTEROF THE

MANAGER OF THE QUARTER

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ach year, Goodwill’s Development Department

works to create a campaign that showcases Goodwill to the community. Our 2016 campaign is titled ‘Faces of Goodwill’. This campaign is a thoughtful approach to fundraising, including a compelling message to help increase brand awareness as well as donations. We will use a multi-channel approach to this campaign, including direct mail, social media, email, and website posts.

What is “Faces of Goodwill”?

Faces is a way to showcase the people that make Goodwill succeed. This includes everyone

– retail staff, front-line case workers, AbilityOne employees, and program participants. By showing faces and telling stories

of Goodwill’s employees and participants, we can showcase the ways that Goodwill changes lives

every day, informing more people about our mission and the work that we do.

How does this affect me?In two ways. First, the

campaign’s goal is to raise more money for Goodwill’s programs and services. This means enhanced opportunities to serve the community, which improves the entire agency. Second, you can be featured (if you want!). If you have or know of a story that you’d like to share, please contact me at 402-231-1912 or rarmstronglangle@goodwillomaha.org. We’d

love to hear how Goodwill has changed your life!

We also want to recognize the stores that provided the most e-books and had the highest shopGoodwill sales total. January 2016 e-Book winner: Bellevue, 205 books received. January 2016 shopGoodwill sales winner: Bellevue, $2681.21. Thanks for helping us with making the agency more aware of shopGoodwill!

SHOPGOODWILL • DEVELOPMENT

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by Andy Glenn

by Rebecca Armstron-Langle

NEWS FROM SHOPGOODWILL.COM

SHOWCASING GOODWILL IN 2016

Large Lot of Assorted NFL Football Trading Cards - $478.00 – Papio

Phil Johnson, David Lepert, Todd Milbrandt and Tobi Mathouser.

Hermes Paris France 100% Silk Floral Ribbon Scarf - $357.99 – Madison

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orking at the same place of employment with your

spouse can have rich rewards – and tough challenges. Just ask one of our own office romance couples – Brent Koster and Chelsey Erpelding, who will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in September. Chelsey is a Quality Assurance Specialist at Benson Park Plaza, while Brent is Goodwill’s Senior Director of Marketing. Throughout their courtship, and marriage, they have worked together not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions.

Brent and Chelsey met at their first place of mutual employment, the City Limits in the Old Market. Brent worked there part-time while also working at Goodwill. Their next opportunity to work together was in 2006, still before they were married, when they both worked for Employment First, Goodwill’s former welfare-to-work program.

“For a while we were

working in the same room,” remembered Brent, “and I think we quickly realized that was not a good thing.” Eventually, Chelsey moved out, assigned to office space at the Harris Center at 108th and Blondo. They married shortly after that move.

After Employment First ended in 2007, Chelsey moved on to other jobs, while Brent accepted a new opening in the marketing department, where he has worked ever since.

Their third opportunity to work together materialized last fall with the opening of a new part-time Quality Assurance position. Chelsey had been working full-time at Boys Town, but was looking for something that would allow her to spend more time with their two girls, ages four and 22 months.

Now they work perhaps 10 yards apart, certainly within earshot, which can be a problem.

“I am a loud talker,” admitted Brent. “I thought it would be distracting to her if I am talking to people and I laugh loudly and she hears it at her desk – that would grow to be like nails on a chalkboard.”

Chelsey concurred. “I will say, you are loud and I can hear you a lot. At first I thought he is so loud, SO loud,” said Chelsey. “I don’t think he is this loud at home, but man, I think that is a new realization of him.”

Other adjustments associated with working together include commuting together.

“The hardest part about working together,” said Brent, “is I was used to driving myself on the way to work and doing whatever I want. When you’re a parent, that time is precious, right? You’re not at work so this is the time to kind of do your own thing. So we had to figure out how to manage that with someone else in the car.”

For Chelsey, the primary challenge is different. “I was just concerned that we’d get annoyed with each other, or it would be awkward. Brent has been here forever, so I think of this as Brent’s

MISSION SUPPORT

by Andy BradleyLIAISON: MISSION RELATEDW

Brent and Chelsey pondering.

Brent and Chelsey enjoy the beach with their daughters Edith(left) and Bette (right).

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place and me kind of coming into it. So how am I going to navigate and find my own space that is separate from his?”

Chelsey feels she is succeeding in that regard. “It’s been good,” she said. “It has taken a little bit of time just to find my own way apart from Brent, bit I feel like I talk to a lot of people here and everyone is nice.”

So, there are advantages to working together, right?

“It’s cool to have your wife at work because if you need to talk about something, like if you have a sick kid, we can easily talk. That’s a pleasure. I love working with her for that reason.”

Chelsey was a bit more philosophical. “I think working

with your spouse keeps you true to yourself because you’re not going to act like a different person. So I think it keeps you grounded. I’m not going to try to act like someone else, because this guy is here and he’ll call me out on it.”

So, would you two recommend a similar arrangement to others?

“Based on our first experience we would not have recommended it,” said Brent. “But if you can have a decent amount of distance and you have a realistic set of expectations, there is no reason it should be a problem. I think you have to go into it with your eyes wide open.”

Chelsey agreed. “I think having been married 10 years, you have a decent amount of

establishment to your relationship, so it’s a little bit easier this time around.”

Let’s hope “this time around” lasts a long, long time for Brent and Chelsey.

MISSION Support

by Andy BradleyLIAISON: MISSION RELATED

The Kosterpelding wedding day.

Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti

8 ounces spaghetti10 tablespoons unsalted butter3 cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheeseKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste2 tablesppons chopped fresh parsley leaves

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, garlic and red pepper flakes over medium heat until the butter has melted. Cook, whisking constantly, until the foam subsides and the butter begins to turn a golden brown, about 4-5 minutes, skimming foam as necessary.3. Remove from heat. Stir in pasta and Parmesan until well combined, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.4. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

SNACK BREAK!

12 YOUTHBUILD

outhBuild participants are not just students, they are also parents.

The north cohort of YouthBuild Omaha has added to its curriculum a seven week parenting program that has been used by families nationwide.

Common Sense Parenting® for Toddlers and Preschoolers is a practical training program that gives parents effective discipline skills and helps them be more positive with their young children. The program’s easy-to-learn techniques address issues of communication, discipline, decision making, relationship building, self-control, and staying calm.

Proactive skills and techniques taught in Common Sense Parenting® provides parents with a menu of proven techniques that will aid them in building good family relationships, preventing and correcting misbehavior, and using consequences to improve behavior.

As each new parenting technique is introduced, the professional parent-trainers explain each step, provide many clear examples, and give parents an action plan for implementing steps in their home. The young parents in the class share that they are learning a great deal. Not only about parenting their children but also about skills they need for themselves.

Katrina Sanchez, one of the parents in the class, shared during the class, the interpersonal skills that she has been using the skill with her young son and his behavior has improved. She also shared that many of the participants in the class benefit from learning these skills because they can apply them to their own growth and ability to get along with others.

by Norm Barnes

PARENTING AS YOUTHBUILDERS

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YouthBuilders Nicole Bolden, Jesse Nino, and Ryan Price display their Common Sense Parenting finished activity, The Joy and Job Jar that will be used for preventing and correcting misbehavior, and using consequences to improve behavior.

13YEARS OF SERVICE

MARCH 2016YEARS OF SERVICE

28 Diana Roberts Postal27 Andrew Bradley Benson Park Plaza23 Todd Milbrandt Benson Park Plaza22 David Lepert Offutt22 Kevin Supancic Offutt18 Lisa Salomon Southwest17 Anneliese Timmerman Southwest16 George Coleman IV 72nd & F14 William Menrad Offutt14 Eric Rentschler Offutt10 Tracy Daly Lincoln10 Walter Farley Jr. Stratcom10 Grindell Price Jr. Offutt8 Adjovi Bakar 180 & Q8 Timothy Cech Zorinsky8 Kennetch Holloway Sr 72nd & F7 Linda Hajek Fremont6 Lisa Ayala Bellevue6 Hal Perry VA4 Carol Sondag Southwest3 Angel Diaz Offutt3 Debra Flores Harris Center3 Stephanie Folan 72nd & F3 Nathan Gulizia Madison Store3 Denise Heim 156 & Maple2 Cynthia Crouse 180th & Q2 Tressa Hudson South Papio2 Samantha Jones Ames Plaza2 Lee Logan Stratcom2 Anita Nelson Harris Center2 Ryan Spitzer 156th & Center2 Helene Syslo Southwest2 Daniel Wilwerding Harris Center1 Mariton Barber 72nd & F1 Deven Brown 156th & Maple1 Nathan Gunter Zorinsky1 Andre Miller Jr Benson Park Store1 Makaela Peterson 156th & Maple1 Thomas Simodynes Benson Park Plaza

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

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1 Raven Conley Benson Park Store

2 William Fenner Harris Center

3 Elsie Del Cid Ames Plaza

5 Brent Janzen Ames Plaza

5 Lee Logan Stratcom

6 Troy Meyer 156 & Maple

7 Makayla Davis Bellevue

9 Hal Perry VA

9 Terrance Grabowski Benson Park Store

10 Manuel Santiago Postal 2

11 Janelle Ellis 72nd & F

11 Sherri Kallon Ames Plaza

12 Carol Sondag Southwest

13 Audrey Marie Wright Bellevue

13 Kaitlyn Schutt Fremont

14 David Lepert Offutt

14 Puja Kandel West Center Store

15 Ablavi Homawoo S. Papio

16 Cheryl Carter Gretna

17 Joan Des Jarlais Madison Store

18 Kieve Jones 72nd & F

18 Katherine Young Ames Plaza

18 Derek Sloss 72nd & F

19 Nicholas Boyce Blair

21 Terry Mason Grand Island

22 Catrella Gonzales Ames Plaza

22 Luis Lopez Benson Park Plaza

22 Kathleen McAcy-DeJohnSouthwest

22 Taryn Oyster 180 & Q

23 Eric Mears Offutt

23 Nancy Hellman Papillion

24 Christopher Vacanti Offutt

24 Yawa Agossou 78Dodge

25 Drew Stoller Bellevue

25 Sheri Hirsh West Center Store

28 Jessica Haro Harris Center

28 Jacqualyn Nord Blair

29 Dave Pfeffer Benson Park Plaza

29 Joseph Carver, II Stratcom

30 Brian Kent Offutt

31 Megan Harr 156 & Maple

31 Daniel O'Leary Stratcom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

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ew STRATCOM spells changes at Offutt in the

years to come.Most of you know that

Goodwill employs a number people at Offutt Air Force Base through our AbilityOne contracts. What you may not know, is that on the base is a more secure area that houses the U.S. Strategic Command (or STRATCOM for short).

STRATCOM is housed at Offutt, but its responsibilities go beyond the Air Force. It actually comprises of all four branches of the military, and has reponsibilities reaching into space, cyberspace, and preventing weapons of mass destruction. As you might imagine, STRATCOM is a growing enterprise. So much that they’ve outgrown their sizable building on the base.

In response, they are construcing a new STRACOM building with a projected move-in completion date of 2019. This move is exciting news for a number of reasons at Goodwill. First, we provide the janitorial services at STRATCOM, so a new, larger building will mean more business and employment opportunities. Second, it means that our custodial crew that cleans the rest of the base will get to move into the old STRATCOM building.

Contract Manager Phil Johnson was excited about the move, but he stressed that it was still early in the process.

“We don’t know exactly

how it’s going to affect all our contracts, or what the timeline of those changes will be,” said Phil. “But we know it’s going to be a big change, and hopefully one that will help us to add to our contracts. They are reviewing a few different plans, and there a number of things that could happen.”

Phil says one thing we can count on is that our cleaning crew will be one of the first groups in the new building.

“We’re going to need early access, so we can learn the building, and map out how to best keep it clean. But we’re also going to have to figure

out the kind of security clearance required for the new building. So we’re attending meetings. We making sure we’re as proactive as possible. Even though this is a few years off, we need to be ready.”

Contracts Corner

by Brent Koster

CONTRACTS CORNER

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Although the photo doesn’t do it justice, this is an aerial shot of the new STRATCOM construction.

Current STRATCOM building. (Both credits: Google Images)

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$6,189.36to support Goodwill’s mission!

Excellent job retail! You have raised

January 1, 2016 - February 17, 2016

18,360TOTAL ROUND IT UP TRANSACTIONS

166,351TOTAL STORE TRANSACTIONSOUT

OF

ROUND IT UP

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ith the invention of online sites like Pinterest and Esty,

anyone can be a “crafter”. The options of homemade accessories, personalized picture frames and customized containers are endless.

Even though these sites make crafting ideas more accessible, the hobby can be expensive. The supplies for a DIY project can add up quickly if you shop at one of the area big box stores.

All of Goodwill’s 17 retail stores have everything a DIYer would need for any craft project, but our Blair location has taken it one step further by setting up a specific “craft corner” area in their store. The 8-foot wide section is filled with craft-type items from top to bottom with prices ranging from $.39 to $1.99 – making it easy for crafters to find their supplies at bargain prices.

“The customers in Blair were asking staff where our craft

section was located,” said Janelle Ellis, District Store Manager. “Since implementing the new project section, the customers in Blair love it!”

The items are separated by like craft items in clear containers, making it easy for customers to find the materials needed for their specific project. Let’s face it … half the battle of executing any craft is collecting the supplies and not breaking the bank at the same time. The Blair staff is helping win the crafting war!

Since implementing the new craft section, the “hot” items seem to be yarn and mason jars.

“The Blair community loves doing crafts, making things, repurposing items or just jazzing something up,” says Ellis. “Goodwill listened to what the customers were requesting and delivered.”

The best part is that the

crafters are supporting Goodwill’s mission right in the Blair area. Every item purchased to transform mason jar into a soap dispenser or create a pompom book mark helps provide services to a Work Experience student or WorkOpps participant who lives and works in Blair.

Goodwill is all about D.I.Y. - Doing It (for) Yourself!

Goodwill DIY

by Kris Pachunka

GOODWILL D.I.Y

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All Images Credit: Google Images

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o kick off March as National Developmental

Disability Awareness month, at the February 26th Town Hall, Goodwill’s Cultural Competency Committee presented information on Spread the Word to End the Word. Spread the Word is a national movement to get people to stop using the word “retard” or “retarded.” Special Olympics has spearheaded this movement since 2004 to highlight the negative impact the r-word has on people with developmental disabilities.

Why this movement started is explained simply on the r-word website: “[T]he r-word has become a common word used by society as an insult for someone or something stupid. For example, you might hear someone say, ‘That is so retarded’ or ‘Don’t be such a retard.’ When used in this way, the r-word can apply to anyone or anything, and is not specific to someone with a disability. But, even when the r-word is not said to harm someone with a disability, it is hurtful… Special Olympics, Best Buddies and the greater disability community prefer to focus on people and their gifts and accomplishments, and to dispel negative attitudes and stereotypes.”

For the past 50 years, Goodwill’s Work Experience Program has provided job training for youth with disabilities. The power of work breaks down many barriers and stereotypes. On March 2nd, Goodwill’s Work

Experience Program trainers and participants will be hosting Spread the Word to End the Word events at their store locations. This will be the third year Work Experience, in conjunction with Special Olympics of Nebraska and Iowa, takes the opportunity to educate customers and GW staff about the harmful impact of negative and offensive words.

Goodwill staff along with retail customers can sign a pledge to refrain from using the r-word. Having a conversation about the r-word can be difficult and often uncomfortable. Taking the pledge to stop saying the r-word is a starting point in creating more accepting attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities and all those people who may appear different, but have unique gifts and talents to share with the world. We encourage everyone to pledge to build a world of R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Words can

be hurtful. Words do matter. Choose to use words that are less hurtful. Absurd. Uncool. Illogical. Trivial. Silly. Ridiculous. Annoying. Irritating. Ludicrous. Senseless. Asinine. Language affects attitudes. Attitudes impact actions. If you don’t see a Spread the Word display at your location, make your pledge to choose respectful, people-first language at www.R-word.org or tweet with the hashtags #Rword, #respect and #buildaworldofrespect.

Employment and Training

by Holly Schwietz

BUILD A WORLD OF RESPECT

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Poster courtesy of www.r-word.org

19WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND GOODWILL?

Brian Good stops for a quick photo with the Postal van and its new decal.

Michael Crotty, Blair Work Experience participant, ties strips of t-shirts for a new rug using a wooden frame.

Old pals Jim Walsh (left) and Phil Johnson (right) get to stop and chat at Offutt.

Some of the students and teachers at the Zorinsky Federal Building dropped by the Goodwill office a couple of weeks ago to say thank you for all we do for them.

Marketing Intern Niki O’Shea stands in front of a massive salvage pile at the ROC.

2016 Trek the Tower Team: Front Row: Melanie Moyer, Elizabeth Gray, Alyssa Beebe, Tom Simodynes, Jennifer Gries, Steve Andrews. Second Row: Benane Akurkuch, Elsie Del Cid, Holly McElhatton, Josh Meyer, Patricia Oltman, Brian Good. Third Row: Miriam Blair, Kathryn Naughton, Atonier McGee, Luis Lopez

COMING SOON!Join us for the 2015 GoodwillFest – celebrating you!

May 7, 2016 5:30 pm – social hour, with a DJ! • 6:30 pm – dinner • 7:30 pm – program

At the LaVista Embassy SuitesLook for registration forms in March!

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