A Community Report | Spring/Summer 2017
GOODWILLWORKS
Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region
employers of all sizes and all industry sectors…and the changing needs of the people we serve and work hard to meet them where they are – no matter where they are – on their life journey.”
Goodwill CEO Lori Forte Harnick, explores the journey of retail success Jessica Ide and Culinary School graduate Kenyetta Isom.
Annual community luncheon raises $250,000 for job training programs About 450 Tacoma business and community leaders met Goodwill’s new President and CEO at the organization’s annual Ready to Work luncheon on May 2nd. Advances in mission were heard by attendees who provided $250,000 for regional job training scholarships. In her first public appearance for Goodwill, Lori Forte Harnick pledged to enhance Goodwill’s contributions to the community by listening to employers, business and funding partners and the unemployed. “As we look at partnerships, we are certainly better together,” said Harnick. “This will be more important as we seek to understand the changing dynamics of the modern workplace… the changing skills and requirements that are being sought by
Dan Fey, Goodwill Senior V.P. of Workforce Development also presented at the luncheon, noting that a first job is a great first step, but it’s often not enough. “Key to our success will be a pathways approach – a holistic approach with partners, support services, and industry that gives individuals a better chance of supporting themselves and their families over the long run.” The luncheon also recognized the 1,500 Goodwill employees who work to deliver the mission in partnership with many of the luncheon attendees. Harnick also acknowledged the work ahead to address the volatility of the retail industry and the uncertainty of government funding of social services. The luncheon featured a keynote speech from Kathy LeMay, a social change agent, expert on social justice, and founder, president and CEO of the philanthropic organization Raising Change, Inc. Harnick also recognized the 15 years of success in the community led by Goodwill’s former President and CEO. “As I take on this role, I am extremely grateful and appreciative of all the work led by my predecessor, Terry Hayes, who did so much – with all of you – to build this organization and its services to our community.”
City of Tacoma and Goodwill partner to offer free graffiti removal A creative solution to Tacoma’s graffiti problem is providing free cleanup for businesses and homeowners and generating revenue for area job training programs. A partnership between the City of Tacoma and Go2 Property Services, a revenue producer for Goodwill, is reversing urban decay. Graffiti generates neighborhood fear, reduces property values and business revenue, and is economically detrimental to the City. “We see an opportunity to help the taxpayer, private business, our economy and the region’s unemployed thanks to funding
from the City of Tacoma,” said Scot Morrison, Director of Go2Property Services. “For every 22 property owners that receive free graffiti removal, another unemployed person in Tacoma can be offered Goodwill culinary, warehouse, logistics, office/computer and other job training,” said Morrison. Property owners requesting graffiti cleanup must be along selected major arterials within the city limits of Tacoma, and complete an authorization and consent form for the removal. Go2 Property Services, a subsidiary of Goodwill, works along with the thrift store business to support the region’s unemployed with free job training and placement in a variety of career fields. (Info: Go2PropertyServices.com)
Two Goodwill soft skills programs will support many career paths
Boeing partnership funds successful Veteran networking & hiring events
To meet the needs of a modern workplace, Goodwill launched its Advanced Computer and Office course in April, featuring valuable training in cloud based file management and basic website upkeep. Course instructor Aaron Tran expects to serve about 120 adults in the program’s first year. The course is taught at the Milgard Work Opportunity Center Distance Learning Theater in Tacoma, allowing simulcast instruction to students in Yakima and Longview.
In support of 5,000 service members transitioning to civilian life in the region each year, the Boeing Company presented $95,000 to Goodwill’s Veteran Services. Boeing’s support of Veteran Services and their networking and hiring events ensure that a highly effective touch point for civilian employment will continue through 2017. Each JBLM quarterly event puts nearly 300 transitioning service members in touch with 80 employers and training organizations. In addition to providing access to private sector and government employers, the events feature assistance from Veteran Services staff for on-the-spot resumé review, and additional training and job placement services. Camo2Commerce, the Transition Assistance Program, the Washington National Guard, Fastport, and other organizations also support attendees.
To bolster Goodwill’s soft skills training in support of many career paths, April was the grand opening of the new walk-in M.A.T.H. (Mathematics Assistance Tutoring & Help) Center. An onsite instructor provides one-on-one assistance to youth and adults. Thanks to support from the City of Tacoma, the center features GED completion assistance, CASAS prep and testing, and pre-employment refreshment of math skills. Participants can drop in as often as needed. Program developer Amy Bell expects to serve about 170 youth and adults in the first year.
“This grant from the Boeing Company is vital to the continuation of Goodwill’s support to about 1,600 service members, veterans and family members each year,” said C.W. Herchold, Chairman of the Board for Goodwill of the Olympics & Rainier Region. Goodwill’s Veteran Services Program is in its 5th year, helping transitioning service members, veterans and their family members with civilian job training and placement services. The program receives critical support from Boeing, the Schultz Family Foundation, and Wells Fargo along with founding support from the Walmart Foundation.
“Food for Youth” program funded Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the Franciscan Foundation (CHI Franciscan Health) and $3,500 from the Puyallup Tribe Charitable Trust, the “Food For Youth” Program will be able to provide 1,360 additional lunches to students this year attending job training at Tacoma’s Milgard Work Opportunity Center. Depending upon the extent of this year’s partner funding, the program will serve between 16,000 – 25,000 meals to students who cannot afford lunch while in training at Milgard.
Bob Tuilaepa circles the globe, thanks to a partnership with the Seafarer’s Union Tacoma’s Bob Tuilaepa refined his cooking skills at Goodwill’s Culinary School, laying the groundwork for high marks at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, run by the Seafarer’s International Union at Piney Point, MD. A unique partnership with the Seafarer’s Union allows select Goodwill students receiving front end culinary technique from Goodwill’s Culinary School to receive kitchen management from the Galley Assessment Program at the Paul Hall Center. Once certified, students return to Tacoma to the local Seafarer’s Union to schedule 90 – 120 day tours and employment aboard merchant marine vessels sailing the globe. Bob had been cooking all his life with his family’s catering business, so Goodwill’s Culinary Skills program seemed like the right fit. At Goodwill, Bob learned about advanced training and a maritime career as Chief Cook through the Seafarer’s Union. “Goodwill helped me with everything – finances, getting my paperwork together, earning my credentials – so that I could apply for the six-week Seafarer’s Maritime School program,” said Tuilaepa. On his first deployment he spent his days off in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Australia, Japan and Korea. His second tour featured a trip through the Panama Canal, and stops along the East Coast of the U.S. and in Greece.
New partner supports financial coaching With a critical $3,500 contribution, Bank of the West is a new partner in Goodwill/United Way’s Center for Strong Families program. As a complement to Goodwill’s job training programs, the CSF program served 86 youth, adults, and seniors over the past year with new post-graduation financial literacy and asset building. The program is targeted for graduates when they begin earning income and financial coaching becomes timely and relevant.
KeyBank funds tax center services into October Back filing for tax credits, late filing, extensions and amendments to prior taxes are prompting Goodwill, funding partner Key Bank and the Pierce County Asset Building Coalition to extend 2017 free tax services - and thus the tax season - for many filers. The free tax filing service center at Milgard Work Opportunity Center in Tacoma will remain open through October 10 for singles or households making less than $64,000/year.
“Thanks to community outreach, more low and moderate income households are getting the word about free tax help and are coming in to file for back years,” said Mike Fait, corporate responsibility officer for KeyBank in Washington. “But many – an estimated one out of five who do their own taxes - end up missing entitlements.” Prompting this continued service to the community was an April rush by many new and returning filers. People are learning that unclaimed tax credits from two prior years can be claimed. Considering the average annual Earned Income Tax Credit regional refund at Goodwill’s free Tacoma tax center is $2,336, there’s a real possibility of some serious cash. In Washington, $270 million in federal tax credits may go unclaimed this year. Others who do not file are learning that refunds from tax credits can be greater than their small withholding and are scrambling to get free filing assistance. Some received letters from the IRS that they owe and may face penalties, and will need to file their return before mid-October. Others were missing documents during their first visit and had to file an extension and return later. Corporate Office
714 S 27th St • Tacoma, WA 98409 253.573.6500 • goodwillwa.org
Work Opportunity Centers: Tacoma 253.573.6500 | Longview 360.501.8340 Yakima 509.452.6061
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A message from the CEO As my first message to you all, I would like to say, Thank You! Thank you for the wonderful, warm welcome you have extended during my first few months in this role. It is a role I am truly humbled and honored to serve. I have learned from those I’ve met that this is a community that is full of heart, full of spirit, and full of energy to make this region the best place to live for all who live here. Through your warm welcome you’ve shown not only a great deal of care for this community, but a great deal of togetherness, partnership, and commitment to solve the problems, overcome the challenges and embrace the opportunities to build a healthy society across the region. I could not be more thrilled to join you in that commitment. I am eager to learn from you and to listen to your ideas about the ways Goodwill can enhance its contributions to this community. I am Ready to Work!
Like, you, I am ready to work on behalf of people like Jessie, Bob, and Kenyetta, three people who bravely shared their stories at our recent luncheon. They each faced their reality head-on and made significant changes to create a new life for themselves. In no small part, they found their courage because of your belief and investment in them. Your support not only provides job training and placement services, it provides the opportunity to turn a life around, raise a family, be recognized as a valuable member of society, and contribute to society in return…and in doing so, to start a virtuous cycle of generosity and impact. As they and so many others have demonstrated, it is an investment that yields incredible returns. Thank you for believing in Goodwill and the people we serve together with all of you. Lori Forte Harnick
President & CEO
Goodwill Board Executive Commitee
Secretary Judy Swain
Goodwill Heritage Foundation Board Directors
Donna Albers Chair At Large Jamey Balousek C.W. Herchold Greg Biersack Robert Bruback Bill Dickens Vice-Chair Anthony Chen, MD Christopher Algeo Shahrokh Saudagaran Rory Connally Colette Taylor Treasurer Josh Garcia Suzy Esposito
Drew Henrickson Terry Jones Carlyn Roy John Tuohy
Officers Chair Greg Biersack Vice Chair Barbara Mitchell-Briner Treasurer Chuck Hellar
Secretary Jason Hall
Directors
Steve Barger Susan Brinkman Doug Burton Bill Dickens
Buzz Folsom Beth Hartley Bev Losey Eileen Sullivan Jim Walton