FALL/WINTER 2010
A publication of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
Computer Training for Employment Makes a Difference In this day and age, it is virtually impossible to search or apply for jobs without going online. That is why Computer Training for Employment at Boston Career Link is such a critically important program for thousands of area job seekers. Boston Career Link is the one-stop career center operated by Goodwill. Computer Training for Employment, or CTE for short, is a weekly class that helps students learn how to apply and search for jobs online. The program recently received a boost from the National Grid Foundation. The support and grant from the Foundation will help Goodwill continue assisting Boston’s underserved communities. National Grid Foundation focuses on creating opportunities for solutions to educational and environmental issues. Its objective is based on the principle that giving people the tools to build hope is an essential ingredient in the development of individuals, families and communities.
“In challenging economic times, Goodwill’s CTE program can make the difference between getting a job and being unemployed,” said Bob Keller, president, National Grid Foundation. "With Goodwill’s help, CTE can literally be a life changing experience.” For the students in CTE, the class is making a difference. “The class was very helpful,” said Na’Imah Jeffries, who is looking for a job in early education. “I knew some of the basic things, but I learned a few shortcuts. I learned a lot.” continued on page 3
Goodwill CEO Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Youth Programs..................................page 2 Hartl Award Winner ........................page 2 Goodwill Launches Donate Movement .............................page 3 Eric Goes to Washington ...............page 3
After the Deluge, Somerville Goodwill Store Makes a Splash
Congratulations to Joanne Hilferty who celebrated her 15th anniversary in August as CEO and president of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries! As Congressman Michael Capuano and state Senator Pat Jehlen look on, sales associate Michelle Finch talks about what Goodwill means to her. Finch is a graduate of Goodwill’s job training program.
Boston University and Goodwill Team Up to Go Green Goodwill, Not Landfill provides alternative for students Boston University and Goodwill teamed up this past spring to collect reusable goods during the Move Out period when students leave the dormitories for the summer break. The campaign, called Goodwill, Not Landfill, exceeded all expectations and resulted in the collection of 35 tons of goods that could be resold in The Goodwill Stores.
Students at Boston University donated more than 35 tons of goods as part of Goodwill, Not Landfill earlier this year.
inside this issue
From April 24 to May 19, sustainability@BU and Goodwill worked together to collect gently used clothing and other working items that might otherwise have ended up in a local landfill. Goodwill bins were placed at all the campus dorms and the goods were collected on a daily basis. Sometimes several pick ups were needed because of the volume of the donations. continued on page 2
U.S. Representative Michael Capuano, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, and state Senator Pat Jehlen were among the special guests at the grand reopening of the Somerville Goodwill Store on June 22, 2010. The Somerville store, which has been a fixture in Davis Square since 1990, sustained major damage during the heavy rainstorms in March. Fortunately for Goodwill, renovations had already been planned, so it was just a matter of moving ahead sooner than anticipated. The renovations to the store, located at 230 Elm Street, included new paint, new floor covering, new fixtures, and new cash counters. The store didn’t close during the renovations. At the grand reopening celebration, dignitaries talked about Goodwill’s positive impact in the community “Goodwill is not just a retail business,” Capuano told the crowd. “It’s also a training continued on page 4