Ambassador Q4 2011

Ambassador

Oct. - Dec. 2011

Jose Ortega

Regaining Confidence & Breaking Barriers Goodwill’s Gift to South Africa A Little Sweat, A Lot of Toys Our business is changing lives.

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Board Officers

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Chairman:

Goodwill Officers:

Robert McNeilly, III, President and CEO SunTrust Bank

David B. Lifsey, President Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

Vice Chairman:

Tammy B. Glass, Vice President of Finance Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

Donna B. Yurdin, Owner Credo Management Consulting

Secretary:

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

Betty J. Johnson, Vice President of Employment Services Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

Treasurer: Philip G. Hull, Senior Consultant VACO Resources

Legal Counsel:

Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis, LLP

Board of Directors

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

John C. Greer, Vice President TennComm, LLC

Ty Osman, President Solomon Builders

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

Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Richelieu America, Ltd. Philip G. Hull, Senior Consultant VACO Resources

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

Caroline G. Blackwell, Director of Multicultural Affairs University School of Nashville

Decosta E. Jenkins, President & CEO Nashville Electric Service

Barry A. Callander, VP, Client Solutions Global Solutions E. Steele Clayton, IV, Partner Bass, Berry & Sims, PLC Robert W. Duthie, Founder Duthie Associates, Inc.

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R. Craig Laine, Senior Vice President CB Richard Ellis Kevin P. McDermott, Partner KPMG LLP Jenny W. Newman, Director of Development Nashville State Community College Foundation

Thomas S. Stumb President Nashville Bank & Trust Kathryn I. Thompson, Founder/Director of Research TRG-Thompson Research Group John Tishler, Chairman Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis, LLP John Van Mol, President & CEO Dye, Van Mol & Lawrence

Fred T. McLaughlin, Trustee Chair Brand Manager, Sr. VP Investments Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. Robert B. Kennedy, Trustee Senior Account Executive Neace Lukens Insurance James L. Knight, Trustee President (Retired) Check Printers, Inc.

contents

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New Stores - New Locations Great Shopping!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Re-purpose - It All Adds Up

2011 Awards for Goodwill’s Employees

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Emily Patridge Found An Outlet for Toys

When Others Said ‘No’ Goodwill Said ‘Yes’

Helping the Hispanic Community

Hire the Best Employees for Your Company

Scanning A New Career

President & CEO - David Lifsey Sr. Director of Marketing & Community Relations - Karl Houston Writer & Editor - Suzanne Kay-Pittman Art Director, Graphic Designer & Photographer - Scott Bryant

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Clean & Clearing Out!

Goodwill Through the Eyes of Fourth Graders

Goodwill Thanks You

Ambassador is a quarterly magazine published by Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. 1015 Herman St. Nashville, TN 37208 For the nearest retail store, donation center, or Career Solutions facility, please call 615.742.4151 or visit giveit2goodwill.org.

The Ambassador provides its readers with stories about the events, activities and people who support the mission of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee. We are pleased to provide you this information and hope you will share our publication with others. Please note, the opinions expressed in the Ambassador do not necessarily reflect an opinion or official position of the management or employees of Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. Goodwill’s Mission: We sell donated goods to provide employment and training opportunities for people who have disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.

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Salvaging Success

Salvage revenue has topped $3,000,000.

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hat did 18 million pounds of recycled merchandise get our Goodwill so far this year? After selling that merchandise to brokers, our salvage team, led by Continuous Improvement Manager Mary Stockett, has brought in more than $3 million. It’s the first time our salvage revenue has topped $3 million.

Based on the donations we’ve received to-date, our Goodwill could recycle as much as 24 million pounds by the end of the year.

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Stores - Major Changes

This phenomenon is based on several factors, said Stockett.

“It’s a combination of salvage prices being at an all-time high for institutional clothing, demand for the clothing is higher, and we’re pulling out more items from our waste stream to divert to recycling opportunities.”

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hrough November of this year we have already recycled 20,694,295 pounds of merchandise and we are on pace to recycle 24,000,000 pounds in 2011. The recycled items are donations that are not store quality and are also merchandise that was in our stores, but did not sell. The items include baled clothing, shoes, household goods, purses, belts, hats, cardboard, steel, electronics, aluminum cans, cords, wires and cables, cell phones, books and ink jet cartridges. And it all adds to our revenue. When we sell to salvage brokers it lowers the cost of our trash collection because we keep that merchandise from going to the landfill.

Recycling is the right thing to do. It increases our revenue and decreases our costs, providing more opportunities for employment and training for Tennesseans who may have disabilities and others who have trouble finding and keeping jobs.

Store employees join the Dickson Chamber of Commerce for the Grand Opening of the newly renovated store.

Go green.

Keep up with everything Goodwill online. Read Ambassador and the Annual Report online.

Goodwill encourages our donors and supporters to think green. If you’d prefer to read Ambassador or to review our Annual Report online, rather than in hard copy, please visit giveit2goodwill.org/about/publications. We’ll notify you every quarter when the newest Ambassador is posted on our website and once each year when the Annual Report is published.

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The store, in the Centre Point Plaza, has grown by 10,000 square feet to give shoppers more floor space for more of what they enjoy when they shop Goodwill. The build-out also included a larger Career Solutions Center to help Tennesseans in the Dickson County area who are in need of job services, and a covered drive-through Donation Express Center, making it easy and convenient for donors to give Goodwill their gently-used items. The best news about the growth in Dickson is as many as 10 new sales and processing employees may be needed.

Remodeling work at the Clarksville II store on Madison Street continued without disrupting the shopping experience for customers.

The store grew by 4,500 square feet in early fall, giving all areas of the sales floor more space, including an expanded, and dedicated, furniture department. As sales at the store grow so will the sales staff.

Another five employees could be added by the end of the year.

The salvage team works in the Berry Road location in Nashville and sorts through items that have been sent from our stores to the outlet store for sale. What’s not sold in this last resting spot for our donations goes through the salvage process.

2011 has been a banner year for the salvage team, which means expectations remain high for 2012. “Our primary goal is to keep diverting items from the waste stream,” said Stockett. She adds, “My plans also include increasing the volume of items that we can recycle so we can continue maximizing every donation given to

The shopping love affair with Goodwill is back on in Dickson. After more than two months of a Goodwill drought due to the store being closed for a major remodeling, the new store was unveiled at a grand opening event in December. And, who doesn’t want to show-off after a facelift?

Clarksville II

The salvage items are not store quality merchandise including clothing, shoes, household goods, books and electronics. “One of the things we’re most proud of is that we’re diverting so much from the waste stream. We’re environmentally responsible.”

Based on the increase in efforts to get the highest return on the investment our donors have given us, Stockett has had to bring in additional employees to keep up with demand. In keeping with Goodwill’s mission of providing job training and opportunities, she has hired five new employees for the salvage team, including a supervisor for nights and weekends.

Reopenings and Facelifts Dickson

Goodwill does not share or sell email addresses with any company and you will not receive solicitations or spam from Goodwill.

In addition to the increased shopping space, and as with the Dickson remodel, donors now have a covered drive-through Donation Express Center attached to the store.

Franklin II

Just as the new Franklin store in the Alexander Plaza on Murfreesboro Road (Highway 96) has settled in, as shoppers have flocked to the store and donors have made the location one of the top five donation sites in the company, the store may move. But not too far. In fact, the store could move just a bit down the plaza.

Kroger Company, which has a store across the street in Williamson Square, wants to take over the space where the new Franklin store is located, along with the space next to the store, to create an 83,000 square foot Kroger store in line with the company’s new regional design.

Under an agreement with Kroger, the Cincinnati-based company will cover all expenses to move the Franklin II store to another space in Alexander Plaza, including building a new Donation Express Center.

The new space, at the end of the plaza, is considered by the retail team to be an even better location than our current location.

The construction project must be approved by the City of Franklin’s planning commission. If approved, it’s expected that the move and build-out won’t be completed until late in 2012.

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Success.

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ebster’s Dictionary defines the word success as, ‘the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.’ Success is an apt word to describe what the thousands of Tennesseans who come to Goodwill’s Career Solutions centers find when they complete their training. They’ve succeeded in learning new skills and are job-ready.

As 2011 comes to a close, our career counselors will have taught and trained more than 13,000 Tennesseans in the 46 counties we serve this year. So how do counselors choose just one client from their center to honor as the graduate of the year? It’s a tough job, and although our counselors were inspired by so many of their clients, they made their choices. At this year’s Impact Luncheon in Nashville and Awards Dinner in West Tennessee, we honored and celebrated our outstanding clients and business partners.

West Tennessee Annual Award Winners 110% Award Caltera Lyons – Caltera was told she would never walk or write. But she proved the naysayers wrong and she now works as a clerical assistant in the Career Solutions center in Jackson. As counselor Casey Coatney says, “Caltera has been an inspiration to everyone in the office.”

Retail Employee of the Year Dayton Ray, Lexington – Dayton is now a truck driver for Goodwill. He started his job search at the Jackson Career Solutions center in 2010 and was in a situational assessment at the Lexington Goodwill. He was then hired full-time in the processing area and after getting his CDL, he’s now a truck driver for the company.

DEC Employee of the Year Robert Metcalf, Jackson – Robert is a DEC attendant and is known for his enthusiasm and strong work ethic. He uses his Goodwill income to supplement the ministry work he does with inmates at the area’s correctional institutions.

Community Partner of the Year Jackson Aspell Recovery Center – This organization partners with the Jackson Career Solutions counselor to help our clients reintegrate into their communities and become successful.

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Top - West Tennessee’s 110% Winner, Caltera Lyons with Sabrina Mosier, processing manager, north Jackson store Above - Senior Director of Retail, David Jenkins, enjoys a laugh with Career Solutions Centers Manager, George Carlson

Graduates of the Year Union City – Betty Spurlock – Despite difficult times, Betty maintained her positive attitude and worked with Jacklyn McKinney, the career counselor at Union City, to update her skills and gain steady employment in order to satisfy a court order. She now works at the Hearth Restaurant and has moved into a new home.

Jackson – Rhomeris Transou – After moving to the Jackson area to help care for his elderly grandparents, Rhomeris worked with counselor Casey Coatney to update his resume. He’s now working in the Jackson store and helps train new employees.

Impact Luncheon Award Winners LaVoi-Katz Janise Mulcare - Janise moved to Nashville without knowing anyone. Goodwill gave her a job in the Nashville processing plant and today she lives in her own apartment. She embodies Goodwill’s mission.

110% Award Jose Ortega, Spring Hill graduate Jose is now the administrative assistant for counselor, Bev Kassis. (Read Jose’s story on page 8.)

Graduates of the Year Antioch – Dania Alejandra Garcia Villanueva and Luis Santos Stanley. Dania works at the Howell Allen Clinic and Luis is a call center representative for Convergy’s.

Berry Hill – Zenen Tardio – After emigrating from Cuba in 2008, Zenen faced many obstacles in finding a job. His career counselor, Idalba Tabares, referred him to Tyson Foods, where he now works.

Clarksville – Katrina West – After enrolling in a resume workshop, digital literacy basics class and three-day Microsoft Office Suite training, she was hired by Convergy’s as an inbound call-center representative and works weekends and evenings at Montgomery County Christian Academy.

Cookeville – Reggie Camacho – Completed digital literacy classes and is now working in the wares department at the Cookeville store.

Dickson – Skip Davis – Took advantage of the computers at the Career Solutions center to search for a job. He’s now working as a digital literacy trainer at Goodwill and he’s also working as a cashier at Cracker Barrel.

Franklin – Priscilla Haskins – After taking job readiness and computer classes, Priscilla was hired by Kohl’s department store.

Gallatin – Todd Collier – Teaching forklift classes for Goodwill and is also a member of the Gallatin processing team.

Lewisburg – Sandra Jones – After losing her job when the manufacturing plant where she had worked 33 years closed, Sandra gained job search and interview skills, she was hired as a stocker in the Lewisburg store.

Murfreesboro – Larry Darensbourg – Has joined the retail and processing team at the Murfreesboro store.

Rivergate – Eartha Banks – Banks is now the administrative assistant for Rivergate’s career counselor, Kara Leavell.

Shelbyville – Joe Adamson – Completed the digital literacy training program and was hired as a DEC attendant.

Spring Hill – Nathan Baker – Nathan couldn’t join us for the Impact Luncheon because the date and time conflicted with his graduation ceremony at the police academy.

Top: Mt. View Career Counselor Angeline Menjivar is seated with her graduates of the year, Dania Alajandra Garcia Villanueva and Luis Santos Stanley.

Below: Skip Davis, Digital Literacy Trainer in Dickson with Career Solutions Trainer, Tom Lee

Employer Partners of the Year Progress Inc. – Helped develop the curriculum for our Healthcare Initiatives Training program and hires program graduates.

SMS Holdings – Tim McClung, director of environmental services at Vanderbilt’s clinics and Craig DeJean, director of environmental services at 100 Oaks and Green Hills Mall accepted the award for SMS Holding. McClung and DeJean have helped our Custodial Certification program evolve into a program that provides SMS Holdings with jobready candidates, many of whom have been hired by the company.

Community Partners of the Year Tommy Bradley, Davidson County Chief Administrative Officer - Bradley has helped more than 300 Goodwill clients expunge their record.

C.A.R.E. – Based in Clarksville, C.A.R.E. partners with Goodwill to work with individuals immediately after their release from prison to place them in job readiness training.

Tennessee State University’s Speech Pathology and Audiology Department – professor-guided students provide free speech and hearing assessments for Goodwill clients and employees in Nashville.

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Tenacity

Helping the Hispanic Community Find Work

tragedy into achievement and success.

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One man’s determination turned

It Takes A Team

hat if you move to a non-English speaking country and need a job, but you don’t speak the native language?

Chances are you’d have difficulty landing a job, let alone grow in your career. Three of Goodwill’s counselors can empathize with their English-as-a-second-language (ESL) clients, especially those from Spanish-speaking countries.

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here is patience and kindness in his voice as he works with clients trying to master their computer skills and need help with their job search. “All you need to do is register on this log-in page,” he tells a woman in the computer room in the Spring Hill Career Solutions Center, “and then you can begin your search.”

Idalba Tabares, originally from Colombia, is the career counselor at the Berry Road Career Solutions Center. Andres Bustamante, also from Colombia, teaches computer classes in English and Spanish at the Lifsey Career Solutions Center in Nashville. Violeta Menjivar who moved to the U.S. from El Salvador, is the career counselor in our Antioch Career Solutions Center. All three understand the trials of uprooting and moving to a new country and culture.

Jose Ortega was once one of those who needed help finding a job. As he rolled in to meet with prospective employers he had more than one say they didn’t have a good fit for his skill set. Ortega says he believes all they saw was someone in a wheelchair. What they didn’t see was the talent just waiting to be tapped.

Ortega and his family moved from the mean streets of south central Los Angeles to Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee in 2004, to get away from the violence that infected the area. He enrolled in High Tech and started working towards his associate’s degree as a medical assistant. He was also working as a cabinet and countertop installer, while playing soccer and hoping to earn a scholarship to college.

Then came the evening, just two weeks before he was to graduate, when Ortega’s life collapsed. After a soccer team party, Ortega walked home. And a truck pulled up next to him. The driver asked if he wanted a ride home, and Ortega said it wasn’t necessary. Something in his gut told him the situation didn’t feel right. His instincts were right. Within minutes the driver returned in his truck, and when Ortega refused another offer for a ride, the driver pulled a gun and tried to rob Ortega. After Ortega pulled out his wallet and showed the thief that it was empty, the robber fired three shots, all at close-range. They all missed their target and the gun jammed. That’s when Ortega took off running.

Ortega gained the independence he needed and wanted. His next step was proving to employers that he would be a strong addition. Spring Hill Career Solutions counselor, Bev Kassis, said Ortega excelled in the transitional program, and “Picked up on office tasks quickly. He assisted clients who called, clients who were using the center’s computers to create online resumes, and excelling at every job he was asked to cover.”

Ortega wasn’t as lucky when the gunman was able to get off another shot. It struck Ortega in the back and as Ortega says, “While I was running I tripped over a rock and fell. That rock probably saved me from being shot again and possibly being a quadriplegic. I still have that rock at home.”

“When clients come in to the office and see Jose in his wheelchair, many of them open up to them about their own barriers and he helps them gain confidence,” says Kassis. “He relates well to the clients. He’s an inspiration to me and everyone who comes through our doors.”

“I dealt with depression after I was shot and paralyzed from the waist down.” After attending the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center, 8

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Kassis didn’t want to lose out on Ortega’s new-found skill sets and offered him a full-time job as her administrative assistant in July 2011. “Working for Goodwill has not only given me a new outlook on life, it’s also helped me regain my confidence.”

Goodwill’s Nashville Career Solutions team once teamed with the Woodbine Community Center through a United Way grant to reach out the Hispanic community living in the U.S. legally. Today Goodwill has developed its own network of resources to help clients with limited language skills or those who don’t know how to maneuver through the various agencies, to find help landing a job.

Having three counselors who ventured on the same journey as their clients is a bonus for the Tennesseans who come through Career Solutions.

“We’re able to help these clients because we speak Spanish and they feel more confident working with us,” said Tabares at a round-table discussion. “We can refer them to other programs and social workers.”

in the U.S. is funding a program to help folks learn to read and write. Through the embassy’s program they’re able to get their GED, whether they’re from Mexico or any other Latin country. But to work with Goodwill they have to be in this country legally.”

“The delivery of services for ESL is more intensive,” said Matt Gloster, the senior director of Career Solutions. “It’s oneon-one, helping clients fill out paperwork line-by-line because of literacy issues. The advantage is our counselors who speak Spanish have multiple connections in the communities they serve and have identified business partners who are willing and eager to hire ESL employees.”

Bustamante has a unique perspective about the search for a job when English isn’t a client’s native language. He was a Goodwill client when he was 16 and Tabares was his counselor. “I went through different jobs at Goodwill before landing as a trainer. When I see the glow in the eyes of someone who finally understands the computer skills I’m teaching, it makes the job worth everything I’ve been through.”

“When Hispanic clients come through my office I give them confidence,” says Tabares. “I refer them to the social service agencies that can help them. They open up to me.”

There’s a benefit to this team approach for clients. “We change lives in different ways according to the needs of the people who come to Goodwill. It’s not only a job,” said Tabares. “We give people hope.”

“When I see the glow in the eyes of someone who finally understands the computer skills I’m teaching, it makes the job worth everything I’ve been through.”

- Andres Bustamante

Andres Bustamante teaches digital literacy classes for English and Spanish speaking clients. If you’re interested, or know of someone who can benefit from these classes, they are available at several locations. Call 1-800-545-9231 for more information.

Basic computer skills translated from English into Spanish:

Berry Road Career Solutions Center Tuesdays – 9:00 a.m.

The class covers creating an email account, typing and help for clients who are more advanced in their computer skills.

Menjivar notes that many of the clients she works with are illiterate, not just in English, but Spanish, too. “The Mexican embassy

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Need Employees?

Goodwill is working with area employers to pair employees and jobs.

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he job market may be easing in Marshall County and Goodwill’s Career Solutions counselor in Lewisburg, Jamie Bone, is helping place candidates with a growing organization in the area. Marshall County, which has an unemployment rate of about 14 percent, well above the national average, is now home to Christian Brands’ Heartfelt Homes Accents manufacturing facility. The company is building its presence in Lewisburg’s business park on Mooresville Highway.

Christian Brands was in the market for more than 15 new employees to work in the company’s candle manufacturing plant, in its distribution center and call center. Bone held a job fair in October to help the company fill those positions.

Job interviews were conducted on-site at the Career Solutions Center during the job fair and an overflow crowd lined up for the opportunity to find work. More than 85 applicants visited the job fair and Christian Brands hired four Goodwill clients on-the-spot with as many as 10 who were asked to return for a second interview.

Although the job fair was scheduled to end by 1:00 p.m., the crowd was so large Christian Brands Hiring Manager, Aaron Popp, was only able to interview half those who were in line. Popp was so impressed with the turnout he may partner with Bone for a second job fair.

Lewisburg isn’t the only area experiencing job growth. H&R Block, the country’s largest tax preparation firm has partnered with two Career Solutions centers to find qualified preparers, office managers, and client service professionals for the upcoming tax season.

It takes a small village to help taxpayers through the maze that is tax season.

H&R Block is in need of almost 200 employees to help customers in Clarksville, Ashland City and Paris, Tennessee with their tax returns.

The Clarksville Career Solutions counselor, Michael Thombs, hosted two job fairs for his clients and H&R Block. More than 30 have been hired to-date. Along with learning the tax laws, H&R Block’s new hires were encouraged to take part in Goodwill’s Training for Retail Associate Certification, or TRAC, program.

Job opportunities are also open in the Ashland City and Paris H&R Block offices. Springfield career counselor, AJ Helms, hosted a job fair to match clients and careers. Bilingual candidates were encouraged to attend. There are several advantages to these seasonal positions including flexible schedules, the ability to earn extra income, bonus potential and opportunity for advancement.

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Employer Partners Goodwill’s mission is to put people to work, and many of those who work with our career counselors are hired within the company. Goals are changing though. Alan McMillen has been brought into a new position at Goodwill as the director of business development and says he’s, “Working to convince Middle Tennessee employers to look at Career Solutions as a training resource and to hire our clients.”

Clients who come through Career Solutions come with impressive training credentials. These potentials employees are pre-screened and trained to meet specific needs within a company. As McMillen says, “They’re ready to work.”

He’s had success with a number of mid-state companies. Captain D’s restaurant’s vice president of operations has sent a directive to store managers to hire Goodwill clients. Mapco is working with McMillen to bring in clients who have come through Goodwill’s security and custodial programs. And a number of other businesses, including Dollar General, Nissan and CCA are hiring Goodwill clients.

If your company needs employees who are trained, experienced, and eager to help raise the bar for your business, contact Alan McMillen at alan.mcmillen@givegw.org or 615-346-1647.

Documenting Success One client, two programs, giant leaps

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atthew Buck started on his new career path July 12, 2011 when he entered Goodwill’s Document Archiving program, which is overseen by Glenn Brown. “He was so excited that the first week my challenge was to keep him from running when I called him. We teach a skill but we also teach our trainees about working in an office environment. I got him to calm down and to learn to use his ‘inside voice’ in the office,” says Brown.

Buck, now 23, was four-years-old when he was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder. Individuals with Tourette syndrome may make unusual movements or sounds with little control. These symptoms are also known as tics.

With Brown’s help, Buck was able to master new skills and learn the hows and whys of working with others in an office setting.

That enthusiasm never waned, and throughout the six weeks Buck was under Brown’s tutelage, it became apparent that this young man was experiencing a level of growth that was unexpected. “I saw him mature. By the end of the program I was assigning him the most difficult projects and he couldn’t wait to tackle every challenge. His confidence level, which was close to zero at the start of class, rose appreciably.”

Along with learning a new set of job skills, Buck was also working and earning a paycheck. What would you do with your first paycheck? Buck bought a black fedora. “He would wear it into the office proudly,” says Brown. “Of course he was taught that it had to come off during work hours and it did. I kidded him that this was his ‘magical’ hat.”

After graduating from the Document Archiving program, Buck stuck with Goodwill to add to his skill set and enrolled in the Microsoft Office Suite training program. But before moving on to a new class, Brown offered advice. “I counseled him that he needed to show the class the new ‘mature’ Matthew and he has done just that.”

But Buck still has ties to the Document Archiving class. The Microsoft Office Suite students have Fridays off and Brown has arranged for him to come to the department and work on special projects every Friday. “I have enjoyed working with Matthew and will provide whatever support I can as he moves forward with his career.”

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Nelson Mandela’s Handcuffs?

A remarkable donation to our Goodwill

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hey came to our Goodwill’s e-commerce team in a small brown leather pouch with a snap closure. If it weren’t for the small plaque on the case the donation would not have drawn much attention and would have been sold on onlinegoodwill.com. Inside the pouch was a pair of handcuffs that showed obvious wear. There is interest in the collectors’ market for antique handcuffs and this donation could easily have brought in hundreds of dollars for Goodwill’s mission. This donation was different, though. The plaque on the outside of the case read, “Mandela’s Handcuffs. Robben Island. 1964.”

South Africa’s Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in the Robben Island jail from 1964 until 1982. He was later transferred to several other prisons and remained jailed until 1990. In a remarkable turn of fate, Mandela continued his work to end apartheid after his release and was inaugurated president of the new democratic South Africa on May 10, 1994.

The historic implications were significant.

Were the donated handcuffs really used as shackles for Mandela, or was the plaque an add-on? The e-commerce team for onlinegoodwill.com did its due diligence and research. An outside expert authenticated the handcuffs as those used in South Africa during the period when Mr. Mandela was jailed.

Prisoners in South Africa were assigned a number. Mandela was #446. Researchers told our e-commerce team that each prisoner’s number was etched into a set of handcuffs and the donated pair did not have any etching.

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On the advice of those who authenticated the handcuffs it was determined they were not likely used on the future president of South Africa, and the handcuffs were placed on onlinegoodwill.com for bid. But not for long. After continued discussion within Goodwill, it was decided that we might be auctioning a significant piece of South African history.

A call placed to Pauline Pietersen, counsul administrator to the South African Consulate General in New York City started a diplomatic journey for the handcuffs. At the request of the South African consulate, the handcuffs were sent to New York and then to Pretoria, South Africa for authentication and to determine if they were once used for Mandela.

Several months have passed since the handcuffs made their way to South Africa. The final word came recently from the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Robben Island Museum.

the back of the pouch claiming that these were Madiba’s handcuffs is, to the best of my knowledge, incorrect.

Without additional information on how the handcuffs were sourced, we cannot go any further with the verification process.

In conclusion, one can state that there is a strong possibility that the handcuffs and pouch originate from South Africa.

Emily Patridge discovers the joy of toys at Goodwill’s outlet store.

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he shoppers at Goodwill’s outlet store in Nashville know the rules. Everyone has to wait behind the yellow line until the next blue bin is rolled into place, the wheels are locked, and the all-clear is given that it’s time to start digging through the newest merchandise on the sales floor.

Emily Patridge, a newbie at the outlet store, learned the rules quickly. In only her second foray into any Goodwill store, she seemed to be a seasoned veteran.

If Goodwill Industries does want to donate the handcuffs to the South African nation, as a national museum of imprisonment, we would be very willing to receive them on behalf of South Africa as we do not have a pair of handcuffs of this type in our collection.”

“I was on the hunt for toys. I knew the smaller toys usually fell to the bottom of the bin and I had to move quickly to push the heavier items out of the way to get to what I wanted.” In other words, Patridge was on a mission.

Although we might never know if the handcuffs donated to our Goodwill played a part in South Africa’s remarkable transformation, we were pleased to make our own donation to the people of South Africa. Today the handcuffs remain in the custody of the Robben Island Museum.

A recent graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University (in Nashville) with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, Patridge now holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Certified Child Life Specialist. She has opened a small practice on a tight budget with specific needs for her pediatric clients. “I wanted a room filled with toys. But instead of new toys, I wanted toys that have been loved. As a play therapist, I want the patients to feel safe playing with the toys, which might not happen with new toys that may seem more sterile. Goodwill seemed like the logical place to for me to find what I needed.”

The first time she shopped at the outlet store was at the urging of a friend who is a frequent, and ardent shopper at what she has code-named, GWO. Patridge says, “It’s amazingly cheap and even though you get a little dirty and sweaty, I found everything on my list. I can’t believe what people have donated. I bought new crayons, soccer balls, and baby clothes that have never been worn, to use for some of the dolls I found.”

In an email from Richard Whiteing, senior manager, Heritage at the Robben Island Museum, who was involved in the verification process, he wrote to our Goodwill with the following conclusion and request: “Based on information given to me by Correctional Services personnel and Prison services staff that worked on Robben Island, I can confirm that the handcuffs used on prisoners during the 1960s to late 1970s when another type of handcuffs was introduced. The leather pouch is of the type used by warders for carrying the handcuffs at this time. This type of handcuffs was in use in prisons generally, not just on Robben Island. A set of handcuffs was never ‘reserved’ for one particular prisoner, so the plaque on

Building A Business One Toy At A Time

When the final cart rolled off the scales at the outlet store, Patridge spent less than $150 to stock her pediatric play room.

“I started with very little money and didn’t expect to open the pediatric portion of my practice until I grew my patient load.

Thanks to the outlet store, where I bought by the pound, I’m able to grow my business earlier than expected.”

Ask whether she has a favorite find from her outlet store shopping spree Patridge says, “There were too many great finds to name just one. I was just excited to find so many great toys at such a great price.”

For more information about Nelson Mandela, please visit nelsonmandela.org.

After loading her car, Patridge wiped the sweat from her brow, and said she came to several conclusions during her outlet shopping experiences. “We have way too much stuff. We throw away way too much stuff. I had never considered shopping at Goodwill in the past. Now it’s at the top of my list.”

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Emily visited the Herman Street processing facilities and the Lifsey Career Solutions Building after her shopping ‘spree’ at the outlet store.

She sent a note after her visit.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to give me the grand tour of the Goodwill “factory.” I’m still in awe of what all I saw this afternoon - what a finely tuned operation exists all because someone didn’t want a few household goods! Whoa! I’m still processing all that I saw this afternoon and all the lives that are positively affected because of unwanted stuff.

Before I met you, I thought that shopping at the Goodwill was just a way to save a few hundred bucks. It was sort of my secret-no one would ever know that I didn’t buy brand new toys for my clients to play out their hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations on. But, after seeing the hundreds of lives that are radically changed just because someone donated something and I took the time to get a little dirty, ahem, sweaty, while shopping, I can’t imagine shopping anywhere else. Instead of having Goodwill be my last resort for my shopping needs, I will proudly shop there first!

Patridge opened her practice in Green Hills, a suburb of Nashville. Visit her website at emilypatridge.com

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It’s A Clean Sweep Mom of three wins Project Organize

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wo parents, three kids and one business added together equals a home that needs a little TLC and a lot of help from the professionals. In her Project Organize submission, Cindi Moore wrote, “Puuulleeaassee HELP! We just recently moved our home business to a retail location, leaving us without proper desks and storage. The “good stuff ” went there! With school starting, and a very tight budget due to this adventure, it will be a while before we can really invest in what we need to get all this stuff organized!”

“Mrs. Moore really needs our help. She has rooms full of ‘stuff ’ that needs to be put in its proper place. Her home presents a challenge that I know our team can handle,” said NaTisha Moultry, Special Projects manager, who oversaw the contest.

In the close of her contest application, Moore pleaded for the win. “Goodwill, we’d love to find a desk and some other goodies.

Oh container store, how I long to go on a shopping spree with you! Tanna Clark, we have three rooms that desperately need

your help and advice! And what mother of three doesn’t dream and long for someone to come and clean the house from Angel Maids?”

Dreams have come true for Moore and her family. Moore snagged the help she needs to find a place for everything and to put everything in its place in her Old Hickory home. Tanna Clark, who owns Complete Organizing Solutions, will swoop in to bring order to the Moore household with the help of up to $500 worth of bins from the Container Store. Angel Maids will provide a free one-time cleaning service for the Moores and Goodwill has donated a $100 gift card to up the already hefty ante.

What will come of the items that Moore and Clark clear out?

Those gently-used clothes, toys and other household goods will be donated to Goodwill. And those donations will help continue Goodwill’s mission of putting people to work.

Goodwill News 24/7 YouTube is your portal to better viewing!

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ake a look at what goes on behind the scenes at Goodwill when you log on to Youtube.com/giveit2goodwill. We’ve produced six new videos, all giving you an inside look at how donated goods move from a donation site, through processing and then to our stores. One shirt, one book, one suitcase. Each item changes lives and you’ll see how the simple act of donating has a tremendous impact on someone in your community.

What does Goodwill do with the revenue from the sale of those donated items? It’s used to fund training programs that provide marketable skills to the thousands of Tennesseans who come through Goodwill’s Career Solutions Centers every year.

Need a certified forklift driver, security guard, a healthcare assistant or a skilled employee for your office who has gained Microsoft Office Suite certification? Goodwill has the ready-towork candidate you’re looking for thanks to the many services we offer. Watch our newest videos to learn more about our Career Solutions programs. You might find a program for yourself or become an employer partner and take advantage of the skill sets our clients bring after completing their training.

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giveit2goodwill.org Oct. - Dec. 2011

It’s So Simple Even Fourth Graders Get It! Wise beyond their years

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ur Goodwill is one of the few remaining with a centralized processing plant. Most of the 158 Goodwill organizations in the U.S. process items at their store donation sites and the items are then placed on the sales floor. The Nashville processing centers, the textile plant at 1015 Herman Street, and the hard goods plant across the street at 1000 Herman Street, employ almost 350 processors. If you haven’t visited, you should. It is a remarkable operation that ensures our 30 stores are always stocked with new merchandise.

The massive textiles plant is loud, busy and might be a bit overwhelming to a fourth grader. But that wasn’t the case for the two fourth grade classes from St. Rose of Lima School in Murfreesboro that visited the facility as part of the school’s curriculum to learn about giving back to the community. The students were wide-eyed as they walked the plant and took in the activity.

A-Team member, Daniel Aguila, joins the Rose of Lima fourth graders.

“I learned that you teach people new things they don’t know.”

-Gianna W.

There was one simple rule for the students, however. In order to go on the field trip, each had to bring a donation. As the students entered the plant they gladly donated clothing, household goods and other gently-used items. During the one-hour tour, the 30 students saw for themselves how those donations help Goodwill provide job training, job services and support for those who face a disability or other barrier to employment.

“I am happy Goodwill recycles also. One thing I learned was there is not just one building but there are three. I wonder if my parents will know that?”

Not long after the tour of the plant and the Lifsey Career Solutions Center, a packet of thank-you notes arrived from the St. Rose fourth graders. There were a lot of take-aways for the nine and ten year-olds. As they say, out of the mouth of babes!

-Faith V.

I also love how you help people learn new things. I am a girl scout so to me that is so generous.

-Gianna W.

“My favorite part of the trip was when we got to meet the A Team. They are amazing people. They really believe and prove they can do anything.”

Do you want to see how Goodwill turns your donations into jobs?

Visit the Nashville processing facility and tour the new David B. Lifsey Career Solutions Center with your class or organization. The tour will provide insight into how Goodwill processes your gently-used items, and how each item provides tangible results – a job, free job training, computer skills and building a life for an individual, his family and the community.

If you can’t come to Goodwill, Goodwill can come to you. We can share our story through newly produced videos that give you an inside look at our donation, retail and Career Solutions teams. And a Goodwill representative will join your group to explain in more detail how donations fuel the complex social enterprise that provides hope and help to thousands of Tennesseans each year.

If you’re interested in a tour, or to schedule a speaker for your group or organization, please contact Suzanne Kay-Pittman, public relations and communications manager at 615-346-1232 or please send an email to Suzanne.kay-pittman@givegw.org.

-Allison H.

“One thing I liked is going in the computer room. I liked it because I got to see people older than me learning new things.”

-Samantha G.

“I will ask my parents to clean out the attic and give away the stuff I don’t need.”

-Zach S.

“One thing I learned is that a lot people depend on our donations. But I have a question, if nobody sends in donations will the whole place close or not?”

-Jack S.

( We sent an answer to Jack’s teacher to let him know that without donations, Goodwill would not be able to operate and to thank him for what he brought the day of his field trip.)

giveit2goodwill.org Oct. - Dec. 2011

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Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. | 1015 Herman St. | Nashville | TN | 37208 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Nashville, TN Permit No. 2009

thank you.

To all our donors, shoppers and Goodwill partners, the Special Projects Department says thank you for supporting Goodwill’s mission. I would like to say thank you to all of our devoted shoppers and donors, including our employer partners, friends, family and loved ones. You help us make a small difference in someone’s life and I’m truly grateful. Without you we could not do it.

Lora McClerkin, Transitional Manager I would like to thank the St. Luke P.B. Church where the pastor Frank D. Stevenson makes it a point to encourage the congregation to give back and donate all of their clothes and household items to Goodwill instead of throwing them away so that it can be a blessing to someone else.

Angelica Brooks-James, Receptionist Every day I have the wonderful experience of greeting and meeting our donors. I’m amazed by their generosity. Seeing the pride in our donations attendants, being able to work, provide a living for them and their families is only possible because of your goodwill. Thank you!

Brian Martin, DEC Supervisor We thank you for shopping, donating and partnering with Goodwill. Your past and continued support allows Goodwill’s ongoing mission to be fulfilled.

Without good folks like you we couldn’t exist!

Betty Weaver, Call Center Representative I want to thank each Goodwill donor and shopper for supporting our mission to help others find gainful employment, which makes our communities stronger!

Shannon Guy, Murfreesboro career counselor Thank you Goodwill for letting me be a part of the big family that cares about changing peoples’ lives.

Violeta Menjivar, Mt. View career counselor Because of your donations, purchases or employee partnership, our community has hope. Thank you!

Jamie Bone, Lewisburg career counselor I would like to give thanks to all who help support Goodwill by giving through donations. My gratitude speaks when I come to work every day and do my job to the best of my ability.

Beverly Cummins, Receptionist I am so proud to be a part of an organization that gives everyone a chance regardless of their limitations. I feel I have a new family.

Peggy Smith, Call Center Kudos to all of our donors and shoppers. You make it possible for the whole Goodwill team to help thousands find and keep jobs. If not for you, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Thanks will never be enough for all that YOU do to help change lives!

Crystal Tyler, Computer Instructor Goodwill has given me the opportunity to grow as an employee and assist others to do the same. I’m truly grateful for these daily opportunities.

Mary Ellen Tapp, Merchandise Manager Every donation and purchase helps thousands of job seekers each year to find employment! Our donors and shoppers are the heart and soul of Goodwill. Thank you for donating and shopping with us!

Bev Kassis, Career Counselor I started as a Goodwill client in 1999 and learned clerical skills in our computer lab because I needed sedentary work to accommodate my illness. Several months later I was hired and I’m now in my second position at Goodwill. I LOVE Goodwill and will forever be grateful because they gave me a chance.

Catherine Clark, Assistant to the Senior Director of Career Solutions I want to personally thank our donors and shoppers on behalf of the changed lives I witness every day at Goodwill.

Ed O’Kelley, Senior Director of Information Systems Together, we can build a better community and change lives. Thank you for your continued support. Your donations do make a difference in the lives of those we serve! giveit2goodwill.org Karl L. Houston, Senior Director of Marketing & Community Relations

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Oct. - Dec. 2011