Goodwill & Me Fall 2017 Newsletter

GOODWILL ME
A publication of Goodwill Industries® of San Diego County • Winter 2017

ARCO Savannah: Work Green Energy HaWGllIooNwoTdeEweRnill2a0t17 1
Partnership Makes a Difference Challenge Winner

ARCO Partnership

Donate at the Pump Event from October 9 – November 10

We have been selected by ARCO® to partner in a fundraising campaign! From October 9 through
November 10, ARCO gas station and ampm customers will be able to make cash donations to GISD
at the register. ARCO will also be hosting community fundraising events at select stations. The events
will include Rock Star and Coca-Cola giveaways. The purpose of the fundraiser is to bring awareness
about GISD and our programs to the San Diego community.
“We recognize that ARCO had many choices when selecting a charitable partner,” said Toni Giffin,
Executive Vice President. “ARCO’s research deemed our organization as the one making the largest
difference in our community. We are incredibly humbled by this finding and intend to use the resulting
funds to improve employability in San Diego County.”
118 ARCO sites in San Diego and Imperial Counties will be participating in the fundraising event.
ARCO, its station and ampm owners recognize the significance in “A hand up, not a hand out.” They
believe in the power of work and want to stand behind GISD as we move forward with our programs to
provide skill development and job search assistance. GISD currently employs more than 1,300 people
in San Diego County; 46.5% are people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Other
barriers include, but are not limited to: returning military transitioning to civilian life and employment,
at-risk youth and young adults, people without work experience, those learning English as a second
language and more. We have programs that are customized to meet the unique needs of these
individuals.
“We are proud to work with Goodwill San Diego and are excited to give back to the communities we
serve,” said Robert Bezner, Senior Director of Brand Management for the ARCO brand. “We believe
the funds raised will supply GISD with additional resources to further their mission.”

2 GOODWILL & ME

GOODWILL
Industries International
Energy Challenge Award

We are proud to be recognized as a winner Goodwill's Gold Medalist
of the GII Energy Challenge for our efforts
in reducing our energy consumption for the Even though Kent was born with an intellectual
second year in a row! disability he has never let that stop him from
achieving great things! Kent has won a gold medal
The Goodwill Industries International (GII) in every Special Olympics golf tournament he has
Energy Challenge Award, presented at the entered and has been selected to compete in the
2017 Summer Conference, recognized 2018 Special Olympics USA games in Seattle next
Goodwill organizations with superior July. Kent has been golfing for about 21 years; he
environmental sustainability standards. started when he was 8 years old after seeing golf
The award focused on efforts in the area on the television with his Dad and thinking that it
of waste diversion and energy reduction looked fun. A few rounds of golf with his Dad and
strategies. he was hooked. Now Kent is semi-sponsored and
will be the only San Diegan playing golf for Team
The Energy Reduction Award was USA in the next Special Olympic Games.
presented to Goodwills who have taken
steps to decrease their energy consumption. Kent started working at Goodwill after High School
The added benefit is that all of the dollars when he decided it was time to get a job. He found
saved can be used to further our mission. out about Goodwill online while searching for
By benchmarking and reducing our places that help people with learning disabilities
energy use, we have also reduced our get a job. Kent started out on a Fixed Crew and
carbon footprint and have set an example has worked his way up to being a full time Donation
of what is possible for other members. Center Attendant. “Goodwill has changed my life in
Congratulations to all award winners and a big way, it has helped me meet new people and
those striving to reduce energy use! work with others who have the same disability as
me," said Kent excitedly. "Everyone at Goodwill
is super nice! I feel like I am a part of the family
here.” He also likes that he can balance work with
golf and takes lessons on his days off. We are
very proud of Kent and thankful to have him as a
Goodwill Ambassador.

WINTER 2017 3

Savannah

Work Makes a Difference

"I was sleeping on park benches or a friend's couch; I had no car, no cell phone and
was $300 in debt," said Savannah. "How did this happen to me? And, more importantly,
how was I going to fix it?"

Savannah reached out to her Job Savannah got the break she was
Corps Trade School transitional counselor looking for – the manager interviewed her
and asked for help finding a better job. and offered her a job as a member of the
Savannah's counselor introduced her security team! "I was given the chance to
to Goodwill's Young Adult Program prove myself!" exclaimed Savannah. " With
Coordinator, Owonda. Savannah worked my paycheck, I was able to pay rent, and,
with Owonda to rebuild her résumé, after 9 months of saving was able to buy
prepare for an interview and apply for jobs. a car and cell phone." She worked in the
Savannah did not have a cell phone or car Safety and Asset Protection Department
and this made it extra difficult to get a job. for 2 years. She began to think about her
Every day she would go to Starbucks and future and decided it was time to re-enter
use their WiFi to check her email, make the Young Adult Program. She knew that
phone calls and check in with Owonda. After she wanted to help other young people
being in the Young Adult Program for a few like herself. She applied for a Job Coach
weeks, Savannah found out that Owonda position. She secured an interview and one
scheduled her for an interview and she was week later was hired. She now teaches
already late! She took a chance and went people with disabilities and other barriers to
to the interview anyway. She explained her employment how to learn a trade and get
situation to the Safety and Asset Protection skills that are needed to work independently
Manager for Goodwill. He took the time to in competitive integrated employment. "I
call Savannah's references and was told have been a job coach for 2 years and I
that she is a hard worker and should be feel very blessed and fortunate to be part
given a chance. of such a great program," said Savannah
passionately.

4 GOODWILL & ME

"I have been a job coach for 2 years and I feel very blessed
and fortunate to be part of such a great program!"

WINTER 2017 5

A Message to Our Generous Donors
What Helps our Mission and What Hurts our Mission

Thank you for your donations and dedication to Goodwill. We support our mission of providing employment
and training opportunities to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by selling quality donated
goods. Without the support of our community, we would not be able to generate revenue to serve people. We are
incredibly grateful for these gifts and we know San Diegans that use our Employment Centers and participate in
our programs are thankful too. In the past few years, we have seen a huge increase in landfill fees because some
of the items that are donated to us cannot be sold in our stores, outlets, or be recycled. The millions of dollars that
we are spending on landfill and HAZMAT disposal could be better used to serve more people in our community.
Because we know that our donors are active participants in helping us fulfill our mission, we have created a list of
items that we can no longer accept at our donation centers. We have made this decision to protect our resources
and use them to provide services. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Donations that hurt our mission: Ways to dispose of these items:

• Mattresses byebyemattress.com
• Weapons and Ammunition San Diego Police Department: (619) 531-2000
• Explosives and Fireworks San Diego Arson Team: (619) 236-6815
• Charcoal, Wood, Lighters and Lighter Fluid City of San Diego Environmental Service Department
• Light bulbs and batteries www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services
• Fuels: Oils (and used filters), Gasoline and Propane (858) 694-7000
• Automotive Fluids (Radiator fluid)
• Pesticides and Fertilizers paintcare.org
• Pool Chemicals Earth911.com or (877) 726-8387
• Solvents
• Mercury Items (Thermometers) Miramar Recycling Center: 858-268-8971
• Cleaning Products
• Wet and soiled clothing
• Aerosol and Pressurized Canisters
• Propane Tanks
• Used Cosmetics and Toiletries
• Medical Sharps (Used Syringes)
• Paint, Stains, Varnish and Paint Remover or Thinner
• Large Household Appliances
• Pharmaceuticals: OTC & Prescription
• Electronic Devices with broken or cracked screens
• Ripped, stained and unsellable furniture

Together we improve employability and help people get jobs!

6 GOODWILL & ME

Coming Soon - New Chula Vista Store

Our soon to open, brand new Chula Vista Retail Store is our first purpose designed building. We have built this
store from the ground up and it includes a concrete tilt up structure (concrete walls that were erected by a crane
in one day). Its unique because it has lots of windows and sky lights to maximize the use of natural light. Its
energy efficiency is state-of-the-art which will keep energy savings up. It is also completely safe and includes a
full set of fire sprinklers. The building is 20,000 sq. ft., and the retail store is approximately 11,000 square feet.
The new store is targeted to open in December, 2017. The building features 3 dock high loading spots to create
greater efficiency with transportation and material handling. And, the donation center has a covered port which
will really come in handy as protection from the sun and rain. We are ready and excited to serve the Chula Vista
community in a big way!

Concrete Tilt Up Walls

Chula Vista Store Render

WINTER 2017 7

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST

Halloween is our favorite time of the year! Customers old and new fill our stores looking for the
perfect costume. Every Halloween, our ambassadors have fun dressing up and love helping our

customers put together unique costumes. We are already looking forward to next Halloween!

8 GOODWILL & ME

WINTER 2017 9

Our Monthly "Round Up!" Salesperson Winners!

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER
Cat - Rancho Bernardo Hamid - Chula Vista Edgar - Pacific Beach

Thank you for your effort to support our Young Adult Program!

Our 24 Retail Stores are very excited about our Round Up initiative! Our salespeople are asking each

HILLCREST STOREand every customer if they would like to Round Up their purchase for our Young Adult Program. If your

total is $10.49, we will ask you to Round Up to $11. Whether it is .51 cents or $5.00 or $20.00, every
cent counts. Our Young Adult Program helps Young Adults in San Diego get job training or employment.
Many of our young people do not have job experience and cannot secure work. They need job training
and help with the hiring process. Our Employment Center career advisors are helping them complete
job applications, create résumés, conduct job searches and prepare for an interview. With the help of
their career advisor, these young adults are getting hired and are learning how to navigate the recruiting
process. Round Up today!

PLEXIGLASS DISPLAYS

Goodwill Industries of San Diego County
has many programs and offerings that were
created to serve the San Diego community.
In order to make customers, donors and
community members more aware of our
programs, we have created a plexiglass
display that contains all of our program
brochures. The display will be placed in all
of our stores near the fitting rooms. Please
be sure and let our customers know that it
is there. They can help themselves to any
program material they are interested in. We
hope this display will help more people learn
about our programs and take advantage of
the services that are available to them at no
charge.

10 GOODWILL & ME

TEAMWORK

It's Amazing what we can Accomplish when we all Work Together!

Members of our leadership team were challenged with emptying Market Street and Sherman
Street warehouses in preparation for the abundance of donations we receive at the end of the year.
Ambassadors from many areas of the organization, along with the Fixed Crew, met this challenge
with enthusiasm. They were able to completely clear Market Street and are now working to empty the
Sherman Street location. We want to thank all involved for setting a positive example of teamwork and
collaboration.

Sherman Street Warehouse before. Sherman Street Warehouse after.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Our Goodwill Game of the Week is in its third season!
Every Friday night during the local High School Football
Season, FOX 5 Sports selects a great game to be the
Goodwill Game of the Week. During the news coverage
of the game we share a Young Adult video and ask our
community to Round Up for our Young Adult Program.
We also talk about featured retail store products and
our employment centers. It is an opportunity for us to
share our mission and inform the community about our
activities. Tune in to FOX 5 San Diego Sports on Friday
nights to learn more about our mission and support the
Goodwill Game of the Week!

WINTER 2017 11

We would like to thank Mr. Michael Rowan for 35 years of exemplary service to our organization. He has led us
with grace, dignity and a strong moral compass as Chief Executive Officer. In total, he spent 40 years with

Goodwill, five years with Goodwill Orange County as Senior Vice President of Operations. He has been honored
as a Most Admired CEO and is beloved by all GISD Ambassadors. Congratulations Mr. Rowan on a job well done!

Goodwill & Me provides readers with stories of the events, activities, and people who support the mission of
Goodwill Industries of San Diego County. We are pleased to provide you with this information and hope you

share our publication with others.

3663 Rosecrans Street • San Diego, California 92110
(619) 225-2200 • [email protected]

12 GOODWILL &sMdE goodwill.org