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Dress for less. Shop at

Goodwill for school uniforms.

+plus

Classes Cut Down Costs

Fall Wedding Wear Goodwill Wins Multiple Awards Ambassador | Summer2008

Our business is changing lives.

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Secretary:

Robert B. Kennedy, Vice President First Horizon Insurance Group, Inc.

Treasurer:

Other Officers:

David Lifsey, President Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Tammy Glass, Vice President of Finance Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Betty Johnson, Vice President of Employment & Training Services Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

Kevin P. McDermott, Partner KPMG LLP

Gary W. Cordell Chief Operating Officer Clayton Associates

Cato A. Bass Retired Owner Midstate Tractor & Equipment

Dr. Audra Davis Board Intern Owner Davis and Associates, LLC

William H. Cammack Trustee Chairman Equitable Trust Company

Ambassador | Summer 2008

Vice Chairman:

Robert McNeilly, III, President and CEO SunTrust Bank

J. B. Baker President & CEO Volunteer Express, Inc.

J. Mike Bishop Asst. Vice President Pharmacy Services Health Trust Purchasing Group

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Vice Chairman:

John W. Stone, III, Partner White & Reasor, PLC

Legal Counsel:

Christopher S. Dunn, Attorney Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis, LLP

W. Frank Evans Retired President Red Kap Industries Farzin Ferdowsi Partner Management Resources

Steele Clayton Partner Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC

Kate S. Gibson Accounting Manager Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Finance

David Condra Chairman Dalcon Enterprises

John C. Greer Vice President TennComm, LLC

L. Hall Hardaway, Jr. Retired Chairman The Hardaway Group James L. Knight Trustee Retired President Check Printers, Inc. Fred T. McLaughlin Trustee Branch Manager Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. Ty Osman President Solomon Builders Thomas S. Stumb President Nashville Bank & Trust John Tishler Chairman Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP

Dr. George Van Allen President Nashville State Community College

Board of Directors

Board O ff icer s

Chairman:

R. Craig Laine, Director of Development Highwoods Properties

John Van Mol President Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence

Timothy F. Vaughn President Cumberland Die Supply

Donna B. Yurdin Owner Credo Management Consulting

Ambassador INSIDE

Project Organize..........................................p.4

cover story

Goodwill Computer Skills..........................p.5

Dress children in their school uniforms for less when you buy from Goodwill.

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Nissan Contract...........................................p.8 Learning to Manage....................................p.9 Goodwill Gowns.......................................p.10 Goodwill Awards.......................................p.12 Employee Recognized Nationally...........p.13 Fun Fact......................................................p.16

high heels

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After a car accident left Paige with a brain injury, she put her best foot forward.

President & CEO - David Lifsey Senior Director of Marketing & Community Relations - Karl Houston Writer & Editor - Keri Foy Graphic Designer & Photographer - Scott Bryant Additional Story Writing - Diane Wilson Ambassador is a quarterly newsletter published by Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. 1015 Herman St. Nashville, TN 37208

The Ambassador publication provides a voice for our clients and employees. While we are happy to share their stories, opinions expressed by the employees and clients in this publication are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect an opinion or position of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

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For the nearest retail store, donation center, or Career Solutions location, please call 615.742.4151 or visit giveit2goodwill.org.

Project Organize Winner Gets Closet Makeover

Decluttering your home warrants a trip to Goodwill.

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aving two kids and a lot of toys are making me crazy,” says Jessica. Messy closets and a cluttered toy area inspired Jessica Jackson to enter to win Goodwill’s second Project Organize Contest.

Contest organizers thought Project Organize complemented the donation process very well.

“Donors usually make the time to visit us after reassessing their wardrobes, cleaning out the cupboards, or sifting through their kids’ toys,” says NaTisha Moultry who helped get the contest off the ground.

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Tanna Clark, a professional organizer who teamed with Goodwill to give one lucky donor a closet dreams are made of, offered some practical advice to the Jacksons, or anyone wanting a clutter-free closet.

1. Get everything out.

Take all the stuff out and then decide what to do with it.

2. Decide what to keep.

Then make a bag or box especially for Goodwill.

After just cleaning out two closets, the Jackson household had three lawn-sized garbage bags full of donations.

3. Organize by season.

Put the clothes you will wear the most up front and the ones that areout of season in the back.

4. Streamline hangers. Get hangers that match. It will make your closet magically appear more organized.

NaTisha hopes the event inspires other donors to evaluate their closets and donate any unwanted or unneeded items to Goodwill.

“We hope the tips inspire donors to clean out their closets and make a trip to Goodwill.”

-NaTisha Moultry, Special Projects Manager

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The Jacksons Win Big “I donated earlier in the month and kept my entry form in my car,” says Jessica who got to enter the contest on the last day.

And lucky for her she did. Based on the pictures she submitted, Tanna Clark and her Goodwill crew thought Jessica and her family should be the winners of the Project Organize contest.

“Jessica’s pictures showed a home that tried to be organized in most places, but had a few spots that needed some attention,” says Tanna.

Tanna, who owns Complete Organizing Solutions, partners with Goodwill as its soughtafter professional organizer.

Tanna helps people who want to learn the basics of how to get organized so they can stay organized…not just someone who is looking for someone to come in, clean up, and then lets the messiness resume as soon as Tanna starts her car in the driveway.

On Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7, Tanna helped the Jacksons tone down the clutter by focusing on clean, organized closets and storing the kids’ toys. “The event went great,” she says.

Computer Skills Cost Less at Goodwill Business owners can turn to Career Solutions to upgrade employees’ skills and keep their piggybanks full.

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hile earning road less traveled to lose those work hours an education cheaper results and to training for two full often propels workers tailored schedules. days. Goodwill can into better financial arrange the training positions over the Just this year, to reflect a schedule long term, some Goodwill Career that works best for the employees need to brush up on As for costs, sending employees to become workplace skills Microsoft certified at Goodwill can lead to post-degree.

compared to other training centers.

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Ambassador | Summer2008 Ambassador | Summer2008

In the end, businesses can save money and get a customized schedule, while helping the community by spending their savings of more than $1,000 when compared training budget at to other training entities.

“If you’ve Goodwill, where noticed 80 percent of employees not the revenue goes meeting deadlines, Solutions achieved the company, whether it’s back into funding or their work is status of a Microsoft five half day classes jobs and job training incomplete or Certiport Testing or two full days. programs for people has errors when facility, meaning Goodwill leaves it up with disabilities or computer work is Goodwill can train to the customer. others who need help involved, they might and certify people in finding work. need some training,” any Microsoft Office As for costs, sending says Betty Johnson, skill set. employees to become Goodwill Industries Microsoft certified vice president of at Goodwill can lead Good news employment services. to savings of A new project, for businesses more than changing $1,000 customer needs or The best news for when expectations, or business owners— adjusting the product Goodwill’s training line might require costs less and can businesses to invest be tailored for the in a skills upgrade business’ specific needs. for key employees.

For example, Most businesses make companies may a beeline for New want employees Horizons, a Nashville to upgrade their training center, without Excel skills, but considering taking the can’t afford to

Back to School Shop Goodwill for school uniforms and dress your

Ambassador | Summer 2008

children for less.

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or anyone sending a child back to school, shopping for school uniforms can be costly, but buying smart can ease the pain.

Shopping at Goodwill is a good start. When the Nashville Metro School System enacted a school uniform policy last year, parents scrambled to clothe their kids in the correct fashion: pants, skirts, shorts, and shirts; all in the right colors.

Going to a department store or a big box retailer might have been the first thought for most parents who send their children to a school that enforces a uniform policy, but shopping for used clothes has its advantages.

First, finding your children’s sizes in the correct school colors should be a snap since Goodwill sorts clothing into colors and sizes. Then, you have the price. A child’s shirt and pants at Goodwill costs $2.49 each. A savvy parent can buy a mix and match school wardrobe for $20.

Deedee Ebert loves to shop for her son, Drew’s, polo shirts at Goodwill. “I’m kind of picky, and you never know what you’re going to find,” says Deedee who shops at Goodwill’s Franklin store. Drew even has his own Goodwill motto, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Buying from thrift stores also benefits Mother Earth. By recycling clothes, Goodwill shoppers and other “thrifters” help reduce their environmental footprints.

Lastly, and the most important factor for Goodwill, when sauntering through racks, remember the cause behind the prices—to help people get and keep jobs. Goodwill supports its mission almost entirely, about 98 percent, through the sale of donated items.

“This year, we would like to invite parents to do their back-to-school shopping with us and support their local Goodwill,” says David Jenkins, Goodwill’s director of retail.

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Contract Gives More Opportunities People with disabilities hired for work at Nissan’s North American headquarters.

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dministrative Resource Options offered Goodwill a chance to place eight to ten clients in part-time jobs at Nissan’s new North American headquarters.

“This contract will give new and different opportunities to clients to help them become more productive and compete in the workforce,” says Matt Gloster, senior director of Goodwill’s Career Solutions.

Ambassador | Summer 2008

Goodwill will place clients who are participating in the Transitional Employment program—a program that targets helping people with documented disabilities find and maintain employment—into the administrative positions.

Usually, Transitional

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clients are placed in retail or donations settings, but with this Nissan contract, some will develop other skills by working outside Goodwill.

“Clients will learn more computer search skills,” says Gloster. Often, the Goodwill positions where counselors place clients involve minimal, if any, computer work.

To fulfill Goodwill’s agreement with Administrative Resource Options (ARO), Goodwill’s clients will work in mail room services, copying, recycling, and handling the switchboard.

“Nissan outsources necessary jobs that it isn’t the expert in,” says Gloster. When Nissan

put this administrative contract out for bid, Goodwill initially received an offer to bid but couldn’t meet the technical requirements.

“We let Nissan know we’d be interested in partnering with other companies bidding on the process, and they passed Goodwill’s information to the other bidders,” says Gloster.

ARO contacted Goodwill to offer 200 hours a week to Goodwill clients.

ARO has a history with Nissan and likes to work with organizations that put people with disabilities to work. When California hosted Nissan’s headquarters, they worked

with ARO to fulfill the same type of administrative needs. ARO then contracted with a local rehabilitation agency that placed five or six clients to help with the auto manufacturer’s contract.

When Nissan relocated its North American headquarters to Franklin, Tenn., ARO wanted a similar relationship. Once they won the Nissan contract, ARO began working on the partnership with Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee.

Program Moves People into Management

“We go over subjects like avoiding shrinkage and handling a crisis.”

-Heather Featherstone, Career Solutions Trainer

TRAC teaches students supervisory basics like scheduling employees and motivating a team.

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eciding you want to move into a management position may be the first step to getting a promotion, but the next step you take might be headed toward Goodwill.

Goodwill has taken retail job training to the next rung on the career ladder with the TRAC II program. The program recruits graduates from the TRAC I class that are interested in supervisory roles and leads them through a one-week learning session about management.

During the course, students hear from guest speakers and study a Goodwill store to learn more in-depth about the retail industry. The program is also designed for other areas such as hospitality and call centers.

Using Goodwill as a case study, students are divided into groups and given an area in the store to assess and determine ways to increase revenue. After a week of studying the

operation, students present recommendations to a panel of judges.

Featherstone assigned one group to the book area, and they tackled the project of increasing revenue. “The assistant store manager listened to the ideas and began employing them,” says Featherstone. The store’s book sales grew by 20 percent after implementing the new idea, pushing the store’s overall ranking from seventh to fifth when compared to all middle and west Tennessee stores.

front of the store. Their idea to display books more prominently drew attention to the books,” says Jennifer Woodard, manager.

Five students graduated from the June class, and Featherstone is currently waiting to determine how many achieved their job goals. “For TRAC I, about 50 percent of the students move into the jobs they want. I would suspect TRAC II wouldn’t be much different,” she says.

“Books are in the corner and not visible from the

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“We go over subjects like avoiding shrinkage and

handling a crisis. Then use experience as the best teacher,” says Heather Featherstone, who teaches the class.

Love or

For Money?

You can have both when you shop at Goodwill.

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Ambassador | Summer 2008

s late summer and early fall sneak up on the calendar, love struck couples planning their nuptials could save some extra money by going for a vintage wedding, well, at least a vintage gown.

According to a United Press International survey conducted for the American Wedding Study 2006, the average couple spends $27,852 for a traditional wedding ceremony. If the bride wants to go for an expensive fabric with lots of detailing, then the wedding gown usually soaks up seven to 20 percent of that large sum.

However, savvy brides with a twist of imagination looking to pinch pennies where

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possible and create a look all their own may skip the uppity bridal shops and vow to find a bargain on a nearly new dress at a thrift store like Goodwill.

When shopping for a Goodwill gown, bridesto-be should remember that the perfect dress may be within reach as long as the fabric is right and the overall dress is similar to a style they desire. “The dress they see can be the dress they transform,” says David Jenkins, director of Goodwill’s retail program.

If the future bride knows a good alterations shop, the dress she fell in love with at Goodwill can be altered to fit her personality with a trim here and a tuck there.

Goodwill gowns average between $50 to $200 and

most minor alterations cost between $20 to $100, according to Suki’s Alterations, a bridal gown specialist. A wedding gown for that special day could cost only $70, so breathe a sigh of relief, those of you who don’t want to cough up thousands.

The Green Bride In addition to saving some money for other wedding necessities like music and a photographer, shopping Goodwill or another thrift store for that white dress compliments going green.

A picture album is all some brides need to remember their special day, without leaving behind a lasting mark on

the environment. By reusing already existing fabric, the hand-medown dress reduces the carbon footprint newlyweds leave behind.

With the popularity of eco-fashion, San Francisco designer, Ally Beran, who designs for William Good, a name reversal of Goodwill, turned the eyes of many consumers looking to do what they can to take it easy on the earth when it comes to fashion.

Local brides can make a fashion statement with their wedding following this trend, shopping at Goodwill, and recreating the gown of their dreams.

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Winning Multiple Awards G

Marketing Honored with AIM Award

oodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s Marketing Department was awarded an “Achievement in Marketing” or AIM award given by the Nashville Chapter of the American Marketing Association for the “What You Give Me” campaign in the not-forprofit category.

The award considered Goodwill’s comprehensive marketing strategy including billboards, print, TV advertising, web, and internal communications. This is the first time Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has won a marketing award where the campaign was created mainly by

the internal marketing department. Other finalists for the award were professional, outside marketing agencies hired by other not-for-profits.

Goodwill Recognized as an Outstanding Employer

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oodwill received an “Employer Award” from the Southern Middle Tennessee Employment Consortium at an Employer Award Appreciation Breakfast honoring Tennessee’s southern counties.

Goodwill received the award for hiring people with disabilities, using

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their strengths to fit employment needs, and making accommodations for those with disabilities who can perform the essential functions of the job.

Steve Robertson, Lewisburg Goodwill store manager, accepted the award on behalf of the

organization and gave a short speech about learning to work with people with disabilities.

Goodwill was one of seven employers that received an award that day.

Rewarded for Hiring People with Disabilities

e each got to pick a different partner to recognize, and I chose Goodwill,” says Danielle Cason, a disability program coordinator for the Tennessee Career Center in Cookeville.

Of all the organizations with

whom the Career Center works, Danielle says Goodwill helps her the most. “They are really good about returning my phone calls,” says Danielle.

On June 11, the Tennessee Career Center awarded 16 businesses in the upper Cumberland region for their

commitment to working with and hiring the Career Centers’ clients, mainly people with disabilities.

“This is the first time we’ve held this type of program, and we hope to expand it in the future,” says Danielle.

Nashville Toasts Goodwill for Being the Best

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ashville area residents voted Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee as the best thrift store.

although Scott Bryant, manager of advertising and creative services, estimates there were at least 150 categories.

The Tennessean held its first annual Toast of Music City Awards, where community members could vote online or by ballot through June for their favorite restaurants, stores, and employers to name a few

The Tennessean threw Goodwill into two categories “Best Thrift Store” and “Best Employer,” of which Goodwill earned the top spot in the thrift category and came in third as the best employer.

“This award means a lot to our agency, and I want to pass the honor along to employees that make our retail program such a success,” says David Jenkins, Goodwill’s director of retail, who attended the awards ceremony held at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

On Sunday, July 27, the Tennessean listed all winners.

Employee Earns Repect for ‘Big Heart’ While his engineering background lends itself to precision and efficiencies, Eisenbraun’s true commitment is to Goodwill’s clients, especially those with severe disabilities.

Co-workers have commented that Eisenbraun, a man of imposing stature, “has to be as big as he is to hold his heart.” His genuine care for Goodwill clients often means making workplace accommodations to help a struggling client succeed, or taking clients fishing or to sporting events.

Eisenbraun regularly eats lunch with his clients and employees to get to know them better.

“It’s an humbling experience to watch this man extend his hand to those in need,” says David Lifsey, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. “Whatever needs to be done, you can count on Mike— both personally and professionally.”

Joan Sundstrom (left) helped nominate Mike (right) for the award.

Mike Eisenbraun Receives 2008 Edgar J. Helmes Award for Staff.

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Eisenbraun, who hadn’t missed a day of work due to illness since 1972 until receiving the award, has created numerous efficiencies in transportation and production— increasing salvage revenues by 71 percent and the average number of textiles in inventory from just over 24,000 pieces in 2001 to more than 94,000 pieces in 2007.

The award is named in honor of the founder of Goodwill Industries, an ordained minister and social innovator who was motivated by spiritual values to improve the lives of those in need.

This award recognizes a Goodwill employee who has exemplified the mission of Goodwill Industries and Rev. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities or other disadvantaging conditions.

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ike Eisenbraun, senior director of production for Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, has a favorite saying, “It’s Friday; only two more days left to work this week.” His selfless dedication to his agency and the clients Goodwill serves has garnered him the 2008 Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff from Goodwill Industries International.

Jim Gibbons, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, lauds Eisenbraun for putting the values of Goodwill’s founder into action every day. “The Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff was created to honor individuals like Mike who demonstrate that going the extra mile can mean all the difference in the lives of the people Goodwill serves,” Gibbons says. “Mike serves as an inspiration to all of us in the Goodwill network.”

Wearing Heels on Pa After a car accident left Paige with a brain injury, she put her best foot forward.

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n high-heeled shoes, Paige walked very deliberately into the career counselor’s office for an appointment. “I don’t give the best first impression,” says Paige.

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Her speech was slow and labored. She told the story of a 2005 car accident that resulted in her brain injury and numerous broken bones. Paige was 18 when she and her boyfriend had the accident.

Paige was in a coma for three months and when she awoke, she had the immense task of rehabilitation. “I was like a toddler learning to walk and talk all over again,” she says. She spent another two months in a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, Ga. and had outpatient therapy for a year at Vanderbilt.

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Path to Career A typical teen Paige graduated from Brentwood High School with honors. She was on the honor roll every semester, in the National Honor Society, received an academic achievement award from the President of the United States, and graduated a year early.

She was a softball pitcher and played soccer.

boyfriend who was in the first wreck with her, died in 2006 in another car accident. This was another hurdle for Paige, but she says, “My motto is if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.”

Growing up and the need for a job

“She was always amazing at everything she did,” says Paige’s mother, Dena Walters. When doctors told Dena to place Paige in a nursing home with continual care, she knew that it was not the place for Paige. Paige was too determined to just give up.

Paige came to the Franklin Career Solutions center in November 2007 looking for a job. She had been searching for several months on her own for work. “People automatically write me off because of the way I walk and talk, but I’ve improved significantly,” says Paige.

Paige’s recovery was long and hard, but she did it.

Sadly, Timothy, Paige’s

Paige and her career counselor, Diane Wilson,

worked on how to fill out an application and what to say on an interview.

Paige took lots of notes explaining that her short term memory was not good, and she needed to write down cues for herself. “We felt she was ready for an interview, and I referred her to Target,” says Diane.

“Goodwill gave me the confidence boost I needed to get a job,” says Paige.

Paige was very excited Target hired her and called Diane to tell her.

She started out on the floor folding clothes but asked for a cashier position. “I am very sociable, and I need to interact with people. I like being a cashier much better,” explains Paige.

“We have many repeat guests here and they are all inspired by her. They have come to know her and talk with her on each visit. Paige has a wonderful attitude and she doesn’t use her difficulties as a crutch,” says Mary Jane, a manager at Target. Paige won the Employee of the Month award in May and received a shirt with the inscription “GREAT TEAM HERO.” Paige is definitely that.

“I began to understand why Paige wore high heels the day of our first meeting. It was the first time she had worn heels since the accident, and she was very proud of herself,” says Diane, “I was, too.”

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“People automatically write me off because of the way I walk and talk.”

Fun Fact

Have you ever thought about how many donations Goodwill collects each year? In 2007, we served one million donors. That sifts out to be a lot of stuff, especially if you think about how much just one person can give—sometimes it’s a whole trunk-load.

We did a little math to help you get a visual and came up with a pretty good snapshot of just how much you give us.

We collected enough clothing in 2007 to fill LP Field, where the Titans play, 43 feet high.

That’s a lot of shirts, pants, and tank tops that could have been sent to a landfill, but instead, are helping create job opportunities and training for the people Goodwill is privileged to serve.

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Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. | 1015 Herman St. | Nashville | TN | 37203 Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Nashville, TN Permit No. 2009

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