MASTERING OPPORTUNITIES Middle Georgia & the CSRA
2011-2012
ANNUAL MISSION REPORT
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to work. We value work as the cornerstone of the American Dream and the foundation for strong families. In this report, you will read not only about Henry Elbaz, one of our success stories this year, but also about how many lives were changed because people like you made the choice to help people master opportunities. Good Vocations/Goodwill Industries, in conjunction with NISH and the Ability-One Program, has been training and placing individuals with disabilities into meaningful jobs at Robins Air Force Base since 1980 and at Fort Gordon since 1996. This year alone, 253,424 job training hours were provided to Good VocationsSM employees and clients. Our two Good VocationsSM contracts at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA and Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA are responsible for managing warehouse operations and receiving and stocking groceries and other products. Over 1.2 million cases of groceries are stocked every year at these bases. Our contract at Robins Air Force base was the first NISH commissary contract in the country. Together, these contracts provide employment for over 200 hundred people, most of whom have disabilities. Good VocationsSM provides comprehensive custodial services to the largest employer in Georgia, Robins Air Force Base as well as Ft. Gordon. Good VocationsSM custodial services employees are responsible for cleaning over 26 million square feet every week at these two locations. Employees are certified by the Cleaning Management Institute. Most training and employment opportunities are made possible through contracts at federal facilities and procured through the AbilityOne Program – the largest single source of employment for people with disabilities in the United States. Last year in the U.S., over 50,000 people, including more than 300 employees promoted to supervisory or managerial positions, were employed through AbilityOne. Through a partnership with AbilityOne, Good VocationsSM places skilled individuals into quality jobs. Without Good VocationsSM, many of its employees could be part of the more than 21 million people with disabilities nationwide who are not working. Employees are engaged in a wide range of service sectors including custodial services, manufacturing and assembly work, stocking, fleet services, vehicle retro-fitting, and warehousing. Thank you for your support to our organization to help people seize opportunities and to ensure we can continue to grow our services to people with disabilities. Sincerely, Rob Morton Board Chair, Good VocationsSM
2012 Good Vocations Board of Directors Rob Morton Chair Secure Health Plans of GA, LLC Paul Hart Vice Chair The Spirit of the 21st Century, LLC Beverly McCullough Secretary/Treasurer (Retired) Bibb County Schools Jonathan Alderman Anderson, Walker, & Reichert, LLP Jonathan Martin Past Chair Constangy, Brooks, & Smith, LLP Raymond H. Smith, Jr. Smith, Brown, & Groover Inc. James K. Stiff Goodwill Industries of Mid GA & the CSRA
HENRY ELBAZ
Mastering Opportunities
Three years ago, Goodwill hired Henry Elbaz to work as a Good Vocations custodian at Robins Air Force Base. Good Vocations staff work on contracts that are set aside for people with documented disabilities who perform excellent work with the help of Goodwill’s supportive services. Medical experts deemed that Henry’s disability would make him prone to social exclusion, as well as the inability to develop strong social skills essential for workplace relationships. Henry has defied those odds by developing strong relationships with the Good Vocation staff and the employees of Robins Air Force Base. Henry Elbaz was recently honored for his professional accomplishments at the Good Vocations contract at Robins Air Force Base. Henry’s work record is stellar, yet he was quite nervous when he was asked to report to the upstairs conference room. He naturally became even more nervous when he was escorted there by three of his supervisors. To heighten his nerves, upon entering the room he found 30 Air Force personnel, ranging from active duty to Lt. Colonel. However, Henry was not in trouble. He had been called so that all gathered there could show their appreciation to Henry for his perfect attendance and tremendous work ethic. Bradley Lane, a Management Representative for the Support Squadron, presented Henry with 2 tickets to see his all-time favorite team, the New York Yankees play in Atlanta. Mr. Lane presented the tickets on behalf of all the government workers, saying they “appreciate Henry and the work that he does for them. Henry is the hardest worker we see on a daily basis, be it a contractor, or a government employee. Henry is part of our team.” Following the presentation, Henry thanked each and every person in his humble way, by either a hand shake or a hug. Henry is an avid sports fan. He likes all teams from New York, but especially the New York Yankees. He is constantly bantering with the government employees in “his” building about the Yankees beating the Braves. Henry and the RAFB employees really enjoy the constant ribbing each other about sports. Henry says, “I was very surprised and proud when they presented me with tickets to the game to see my favorite team play. I think my strong work ethic is the reason for this.” Henry says after the presentation he could not wait to tell his grandmother! Henry did go to the game, and got to watch his favorite player, Derek Jeter, play. Henry says he had great seats (on the Yankees side of course), and the Yankees even won! Henry says it was like “a dream come true” to have this opportunity.
Good Vocations Employees Mastering Opportunities
Wilbert Johnson
Jordan Dotson
Denise Watkins
David Myrick
Matthew Mengel
LaMichael Porter
“I think I was promoted from team leader to supervisor because of my work ethic. I come to work every day and I am determined to be something.”
“I like keeping my building ready for inspection. I take pride in my work.”
“As the Project Manager, I am always learning new things and making sure everything is right. My goal is to do whatever it takes to go as far as I can.”
“I try to do the best I can every day. I just want to work and to be able to say that I have a job.”
“At Good Vocations I get to help stock, work with my partner, and get everything done. I am learning new stuff every day.”
“My favorite part of my job is stocking. I make sure everyone has what they need.”
Good Vocations and Goodwill Industries, in conjunction with NISH and the Ability-One Program, have been training and placing individuals with disabilities into meaningful jobs at Robins Air Force Base since 1980 and at Fort Gordon since 1996. Goodwill’s two Good Vocations contracts at Robins Air Force Base and Ft. Gordon are responsible for custodial services, managing warehouse operations, receiving of groceries and products, and shelf stocking. Our contract at Robins Air Force base was the first NISH commissary
Robins Air Force Base 29 commissary personnel
115
custodial personnel
600,000
cases stocked in the commissary each year
4,200,000
square feet cleaned each day
1,092,000,000
square feet cleaned each year
contract in the country. Together, these contracts provide employment for over 200 hundred people, 80% of whom have disabilities. Good Vocations provides comprehensive custodial services to the largest employer in Georgia, Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA, as well as Ft. Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. Employees are certified by the Cleaning Management Institute.
Ft. Gordon 27
commissary personnel
35
custodial personnel
740,000
cases stocked in the commissary each year
1,135,000
square feet cleaned each day
295,100,000
Good Vocations is managed by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA www.goodwillworks.org
2011-2012
square feet cleaned each year