Goodwill Responds with Heart to COVID-19In times of uncertainty, supporting each other as a community is more important than ever. Thank you to everyone who supported Goodwill SWPA throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Keeping the community healthy and safe by helping to contain the spread of COVID-19, while also responding to the needs of the public, has been the highest priority over the

last several months. From moving select programs and services to online platforms to introducing “no-contact” donation areas until retail stores could gradually reopen, Goodwill responded in many ways to ensure the well-being of clients, shoppers, donors and employees. See stories throughout this issue for more on Goodwill’s work to adapt programs, services and shopping experiences during these unprecedented times. l

Gratitude Gathering Celebrates Lawrenceville Campus PurchaseGoodwill hosted a “Strengthening Lives, Building Communities” Gratitude Gathering in February to announce the purchase of its Lawrenceville campus, located at 118 52nd Street. The campus houses two buildings: the 52nd Street building that includes the Workforce Development Center and the new Lawrenceville retail store, along with the 51st Street building that is leased to tenants.

Speaking at the gathering event were Jeff Broadhurst, CEO, Eat’n Park; Lauren Byrne-Connelly, Executive Director, Lawrenceville Corporation; Shawn Hanlon, Chairperson, Goodwill Board of Directors; Sara Innamorato, State Representative, District 21; Rachel Kasper, student in Goodwill’s High School Equivalency Prep Classes; Bill Peduto, Mayor, City of Pittsburgh; and Michael Smith, President/CEO, Goodwill SWPA.

The event also celebrated Goodwill’s 100th anniversary and the kickoff of the pub-lic phase of a $10 million capital campaign. More details on the capital campaign will be announced in the coming months. l

More photos on page 7

GoodWORKSSUMMER 2020 – Volume 39 Number 2

Rachel, a student in Goodwill’s GED prep classes, prepares to be interviewed for the Faces of Work video.

Past videos can be found at youtube.com/goodwillswpa

Goodwill representatives, clients and supporters attend-ing the Gratitude Gathering in February were greeted with a festive display.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto highlighted how Goodwill continues to be an important community partner for the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

Strength in the Face of AdversityBy Michael J. SmithPresident/CEO

In my 32 years at Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, I have often said there has never been a dull moment. Unquestionably, the events of the past few months have been anything but dull, and quite honestly the most challenging ever.

The first six months of 2020 brought us the COVID-19 pandemic and the horrific death of George Floyd that led to protests in his honor and a demand for change to end racism and other social injustices. Watching these events unfold affected me very deeply, as I’m sure they did for you as well.

Since our founding in 1919, the core of our mission is the belief in the potential that lies within each and every human being. The work that we do seeks to eliminate barriers that prevent any individual from the opportunities before them in reaching their fullest potential, regardless of their race, gender, creed, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or economic standing.

Our organization is committed to speaking up and calling out injustices to all marginalized people, but due to the recent events, our attention has been drawn to African Americans and other people of color. Racism and other social injustices should have no place in our nation’s present and cannot be part of our future.

As an important community institu-tion, we will work to be a vital part of

accelerating needed change by standing with others in the community to promote healing; playing a lead role in stronger advocacy; and instituting programs, policies and prac-tices focused on creating a community that is fair and equal for all.

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic going forward, our entire organization will continue to follow all of the safety practices recommended by our health and govern-ment officials for as long as it is needed. These practices will be clearly visible to the shoppers in our stores and to the visitors in our facilities so that everyone can follow.

My ongoing thanks to everyone in the community who has supported Goodwill in many different ways over the past months. This includes those who have donated items to our “no contact” donation centers; the foundations, corporations and individuals who have provided emergency financial contributions; and those who have shopped in our stores while practicing social distancing. Just as importantly, I’m proud of the members of the Goodwill team and our Board of Directors who have risen to the challenge of helping our organization weather these recent storms so we can begin to rebound and thrive once again.

In the coming months, as we all recover from this adversity together, I know that the community will need the services of Goodwill, perhaps more than ever before. Because of the strength and support I’ve witnessed over the last several months, I know Goodwill will be ready to meet the need. l

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Donate a VehicleLooking for a way to get rid of that car, truck, SUV, van, motorcycle, recreational vehicle or jet ski? Consider donating any used vehicles to help sustain Goodwill’s mission. The agency accepts all makes and mod-els, both in running

and non-running condition. Goodwill is happy to provide free pick up and towing at a convenient time and place.

Goodwill handles all the paperwork to make the donation as simple as possible. A tax receipt will be mailed after the vehicle is sold at auction. Donors are guaranteed a minimum of $499, or the amount the vehicle sells for at auction, as a tax deduction.For more information, call 866-233-8586 or visit goodwillswpa.org/donate-a-car. l

www.goodwillswpa.org

area outside retail stores. The health and safety of donors, shoppers and employees remains the highest priority, so Goodwill implemented new procedures inside retail stores to ensure everyone’s well-being.

In June, Goodwill resumed the popular Color of the Week and $0.99 Sunday promo-tions. Standing discounts for seniors, stu-dents, teachers, first responders and military members are ongoing. During the crisis, Goodwill offered a 25 percent discount every day to medical professionals as a thank you for their efforts in serving our communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Goodwill will continue to follow the state-led recommendations for stores in the coming months. For the latest updates and status of Goodwill stores throughout the region, visit goodwillswpa.org/covid19 or follow Goodwill on social media. l

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Making Donations and Shopping Safe for EveryoneWhen guidelines mandated that nonessen-tial businesses close to help curb the spread of COVID-19, Goodwill shut down all retail store operations in March. When a large amount of donations were left unattended at closed donation sites, however, Goodwill launched drive-thru, no-contact donation centers to accommodate the many people spring cleaning while staying at home.

With the movement to the yellow phase, all Goodwill stores opened their doors in May. The donation areas at all retail stores went no-contact. Individuals could drop off their boxed or bagged dona-tions in designated bins at a self-service

Top left: A limited number of customers were allowed in the stores at one time, so entrances were reconfigured in case there was a line of shoppers waiting to enter.

Bottom left: Signs were placed in each store to explain additional safety procedures.

Below: Marked one-way aisles encouraged gave customers more space in each aisle.

Social distancing was encouraged throughout the stores, including at the cash registers where floor decals reminded shoppers to remain six feet apart.

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371 different companies hired Goodwill participants

1,418 people employed by Goodwill

$109,500,000 of economic impact in southwestern Pennsylvania

582 people placed in jobs with Goodwill’s help

2,164,068shopper transactions

at 34 Goodwill stores

953,986people donated gently-used items

90 cents of every dollar was spent on Goodwill’s programs and services

10,624 adults and youth served

18,358,033 total pounds of carbon emissions not released to the air (making just one new t-shirt uses 5.2 pounds of carbon dioxide)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT19,833,105 pounds of material kept out of landfills through recycling

2,517,168,783 gallons of water saved (making just one new t-shirt uses 713 gallons of water)

2019 BY THE NUMBERS

www.goodwillswpa.org

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Celebrating the 2020 Power of Work Awards

The 2020 Power of Work Awards honorees were recognized in March at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. Along with Goodwill clients and representatives of the winning organizations, participating in the event were honorary chairperson Susie Shipley, President, Huntington Bank, Western Pennsylvania and Ohio Valley Region, and emcee Bill Flanagan, Chief Corporate Relations Office, Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

Selected from nearly 80 nominees, the following businesses were recognized for their shared commitment to changing lives through work:

l HIRE Category: Eat’n Park Hospitality Group and HM Health Solutions

l HELP Category: The Pittsburgh Marriott City Center

The awards luncheon marked the 23rd year for the recognition program. Goodwill created the Power of Work Awards in 1997 to recognize the extraordinary efforts of local employers and organizations that provide employment opportunities and support programs for people with barriers. More than 60 different companies have won the award. l

Accepting a Power of Work award on behalf of The Pittsburgh Marriott City Center were Djebar Kacimi, Brenda Loving and Stephanie Sarver. The hotel provides mock interviews, on-the-job training and job shadowing in housekeeping and human resources for students with disabilities.

To demonstrate the Power of Work, employee Dennis R. and owner Bob Portagallo shared how training at Goodwill helped Dennis to succeed in his position at Peppers N’AT restaurant.

Accepting a Power of Work award on behalf of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group were Julius Ridgley and Sedric Franklin. The food service concept group is an active member of Goodwill’s Business Advisory Councils (BAC) in Pittsburgh and Fayette County, which provide valuable feedback and support to training curriculums and overall programming.

Accepting a Power of Work award on behalf of HM Health Solutions were Sandra Stefamic, right, and Melissa Stefanyszyn, far right. HMHS has partnered with Computer Aid Inc. (CAI) to provide opportuni-ties for meaningful employment to individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Also pictured are Goodwill Board of Directors Chairperson Shawn Hanlon and honor-ary chairperson Susie Shipley, President, Huntingon Bank, Western Pennsylvania and Ohio Valley Region.

2020

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Shoppers receive a warm welcome to the new Lawrenceville store that offers a large open space, convenient parking, and a huge inventory of clothing and goods that meet Goodwill’s sustainability commitment to reuse and recycle.

Thanks for Donating During the CrisisThough many in the region have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, individuals and orga-nizations alike are doing what they can to give

back to the community. A special thank you to everyone who recently donated to Goodwill:l Local foundations offered emer-

gency relief funds to nonprofit organizations whose operations

were disrupted by the economic shutdown resulting from the pandemic.

Goodwill Opens New Store in LawrencevilleVisitors to the Goodwill SWPA Lawrenceville campus will have a new shopping experience as a result of the retail store’s recent move into the Workforce Development Center building at 118 52nd Street. The previous store was located in the 51st Street building behind the current site. The move, which was part of the purchase of the Lawrenceville campus, provides a new open retail space that offers a shopping experi-ence that is perfect for the Lawrenceville and surrounding communities. l

Goodwill was the recipient of several grants totaling over $600,000.

l Pittsburgh Magazine and individual donors raised critical dollars for nonprofits like Goodwill through the Give Big Pittsburgh COVID-19 Response Campaign in May.

These gifts and other monetary dona-tions will help to provide critical resources to individuals who are most at risk with the new reality that COVID-19 has created.Donate today at goodwillswpa.org/donate-money. All nonprofit donations are now 100 percent tax-deductible (up to $300) thanks to the newly approved CARES Act. l

www.goodwillswpa.org

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Mike Smith, Goodwill SWPA President/CEO, wel-comed donors, visitors, employees and the media to the Gratitude Gathering and thanked them for their generous support over the years.

Gratitude Gathering Celebrates Lawrenceville Campus PurchaseContinued from page 1

Above: The event included a presentation of a time capsule by Sara Innamarato, State Representative, District 21. The time capsule has been locked inside a wall at the Workforce Development Center and commemorated with a plaque.

Below: The event concluded with a confetti-filled celebration, followed by tours of the Lawrenceville campus.

A capsule was filled with well-wishes and letters from Goodwill CEOs across the country, as well as Goodwill SWPA memora-bilia and photos.

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Programs Go Virtual During COVID-19Goodwill shut down retail stores during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, but the agency continued to offer programs and services to meet the needs of clients. Several education and job training programs were tran-sitioned to online platforms. While workforce development looks a bit different right now, Goodwill’s commitment to improving quality of life through work and related services remains the same.

Kylee Learns Marketing Skills with IMPACTGreat things are happening for the young adults who gain real world experience through the IMPACT program. This year, 82 percent of program graduates obtained at least one certificate for employment. Plus, three graduates have gone on to pursue postsecondary education, and another five are currently employed.

Kylee is one of the many graduates who has seen success with the program. She began her time at Goodwill two years ago when she enrolled in the IMPACT program to get some experience to add to her resume while attend-ing Duquesne University. She completed an internship and jobs in Youthworks, the IMPACT program, and in the Marketing and Human Resources departments at Goodwill.

In her Marketing Department internship, she worked on the golf outing, Pittsburgh Night Out for the Delegate Assembly and Goodwill’s 100th birthday celebration at the zoo. When the Goodwill offices closed and events were cancelled due to COVID-19, Kylee quickly shifted to working remotely and embraced the opportunity to strengthen her soft skills. She looks forward to putting these new skills to use once she obtains her first full-time job.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, recent graduates like Kylee may find that they need job search assistance or additional train-ing to prepare for success in the workplace. Goodwill’s IMPACT program will continue to work to ensure young adults age 16-24 receive vocational training and job search assistance.

For more information about the IMPACT pro-gram, call Tiffanee Haywood at 412-632-1742 or visit goodwillswpa.org/impact. l

Kylee

Meryi and Rosalba Continue ESL ClassesMeryi and her mother, Rosalba, previously owned successful businesses including a cafe, beauty salons and an infant cloth-ing store. Due to gang violence, extortion and a devastating fire that destroyed their warehouse, this mother and daughter were sadly forced to leave behind their businesses and home in Columbia. Upon relocating to Pittsburgh, they registered for Goodwill’s free ESL classes.

The Education Department didn’t let the COVID-19 crisis get in the way of continu-ing instruction for students like Meryi and Rosalba. In addition to teaching ESL classes via virtual classrooms, Goodwill staff helped Meryi to apply for unemployment benefits. The agency was thrilled to help this mother and daughter continue to progress toward their goals during this time of uncertainty.

Meryi and Rosalba were so grateful for the support that they decided to “pay it forward” in their local community. With their previous experience owning and oper-ating a clothing store, the pair chose to make cloth masks for friends, family and essential workers they knew.

“At this moment, we are very happy for this job that we are doing,” Meryi said.

Goodwill’s’ ESL program offers begin-ner, intermediate and advanced classes. New students take a short test to determine which class is the best fit. Classes include:l Listening: Practice listening and under-

standing Englishl Speaking: Increase vocabulary and use

English in sentencesl Reading: Learn to read in English and

improve comprehension and fluencyl Writing: Put it down on paper: writing,

spelling and grammarl Pronunciation: Practice, practice, practice.

For more information about ESL classes, call 1-877-499-3526 or visit goodwillswpa.org/esl. l

Meryi (right) and her mother, Rosalba

www.goodwillswpa.org

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Emily Maintains Routine with AspireKeeping a daily routine can be difficult in times of uncertainty, but clients like Emily have experienced a bit of normalcy thanks to the virtual Aspire program. Emily has enjoyed the various daily activities and socializing with her peers in a constructive, monitored and safe setting. According to her mother, the virtual learning opportunity has given Emily a sense of purpose while staying at home.

Prior to launching the virtual program in April, Goodwill staff conducted practice meetings to ensure all Aspire participants were comfortable joining the virtual classroom. Now, they enjoy daily activities such as life skills, book club, cook-ing class and virtual field trips during three sched-uled lessons every week-day. Program Facilitator April Klein has brought comfort to Emily and fel-low Aspire participants through positive, fun and interactive virtual programming.

The Aspire program encourages indepen-dence and community integration for individu-als with disabilities age 18 to 59 through vari-ous learning opportunities that help to prepare them for work or community involvement. The program helps adults acquire, improve and maintain self-help, domestic, socialization and adaptive skills. Individuals choose mod-ules that meet their interests and support their independence and participation in community life and/or work on topics that include: l Computer literacyl Career explorationl Self-care and advocacyl Financial literacyl Recreation, wellness, cooking and nutrition,

art and musicl Adult basic special educationl Volunteeringl Transportation and mobility

For more information about the Aspire pro-gram, call April Klein at 412-632-1805 or visit goodwillswpa.org/aspire. l

Union Station Clubhouse Keeps April ConnectedThings just haven’t been the same for April since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. She has tried to keep herself occupied at home by writing poems, playing video games, reading books, cleaning the house and spending time with her family. The highlight of every day, though, is joining staff and fellow Union Station Clubhouse members in their new online community.

The Union Station Clubhouse build-ing may have closed, but the community has remained open through virtual program-ming. Goodwill staff have kept Clubhouse members active and involved through two virtual meetings, a group education ses-sion every day, and a weekly newsletter. Members have stayed connected with one another through the “Getting Out N’At” walking group and Friday afternoon social events like trivia.

Union Station Clubhouse offers April and others age 18 or older in Fayette County living with mental illness the opportunity to reach their full potential by developing self-

esteem, confidence and friendships. Members and staff work side by side through structured day-to-day activities designed to move them into maintain-ing gainful employ-ment. Members have access to both transitional employ-

ment programs and supported and indepen-dent employment programs. Help is also given to members in acquiring and keeping affordable and dignified housing, psychiatric and general medical services, government disability benefits and any other needed services.

For more information about Union Station Clubhouse, call 724-439-9311 or visit unionstationclubhouse.com. l

April

Emily and fellow Aspire participants on a zoom call on Hat Day

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People of GoodwillBrenda Vasilescu Receives Top Faculty Award Congratulations to Brenda Vasilescu, Goodwill SWPA’s Director of Marketing, on receiving the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Program (GSPIA) Faculty Award at the University of Pittsburgh. This award is presented to the top graduating student in each degree program who has excelled in their studies and made a meaningful contribution to the school. Brenda also recently received her Master of Public Policy and Management degree.

New Board Members Announced Goodwill is pleased to welcome two new Board members: l Mark Nootbaar, Senior Writer/Editor,

Office of Institutional Advancement, University of Pittsburgh

l Debra Valentine-Gray, Director of Regional Advancement, Pittsburgh, Indiana University of Pennsylvania l

Congratulations to Shopping Spree Winners

Earlier this year, Goodwill shoppers who joined the GoodPerks loyalty program before January 31 were entered to win a $100 shopping spree at the Goodwill retail store of their choice.The following were the big winners:l Greensburg: Rachel Orrl Monroeville: Bennett Graves l North Hills: Janet Addlespurgerl Robinson: Stacey Kuhnsl Washington: Michelle Miller l

Bennett Graves (right) among Monroeville store employees

Janet Addlespurger in the North Hills store

Dedicate Amazon Purchases to GoodwillMany shoppers have been buying essential items online rather than visiting local stores to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If Amazon is a preferred retailer, consider making a purchase through the AmazonSmile program (smile.amazon.com). It’s a quick and easy way to support Goodwill.

With every purchase, Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Goodwill. Products are marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile dona-tion” on product detail pages. When visit-ing AmazonSmile, just select Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania from the list of eligible organizations. l

www.goodwillswpa.org

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A Store Near YouSmall Town Store Gets Big RenovationsSmall towns tend to have loyal custom-ers. That’s what the Goodwill store in Buckhannon, West Virginia has witnessed over the years. It’s these loyal customers who are now enjoying a newly renovated space in this popular location.

The main sales floor has been com-pletely updated with new concrete flooring, shelving, a pantry and new design to make it nicer and easier to find the great deals resi-dents in the area have come to expect. Behind the scenes, a larger donation and processing area provides a more efficient space for the employees to sort and stack the donations for preparation for sale. Previously the process-ing center was cramped and inconveniently located up a set of stairs. Now all on one level, the roomier space makes it easier for employees to quickly turn around donations.

The renovations all add to the welcom-ing customer service that is a hallmark of this store, according to Judy Metz, Store

Manager. Most employees call the regular customers by name and greet all with smiles and a helpful hand.

“We are a small town and we have very loyal customers who come in daily, sometimes two or three times a day, looking for fresh products,” says Metz. “I know our customers appreciate the low prices, good products and the friendly atmosphere. They like coming in here.”

This customer loyalty was most evi-dent during the recent shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Metz said her phone was ringing off the hook as customers awaited the reopening of the store. The first day, there was a line to get in the door as custom-ers showed their appreciation for the small town store. As with other Goodwill stores, the Buckhannon store is encouraging social distancing, has one-way aisles, is cleaned thor-oughly, and employees wear masks.

“The customers were very happy to come back,” recalls Metz. “Business was really good. We were very busy.” l

About the Buckhannon Store

l Location: 15 S. Spring Street

Buckhannon, WV 26201

l Staff: 16 employees: 7 full-time; 9 part-time

l Store Hours: Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

l Telephone: 304-472-0587

The newly renovated sales floor at Buckhannon offers expanded space for products.

Guidelines for safe shop-ping were part of the displays on the sales floor.

Goodwill of Southwestern PennsylvaniaRobert S. Foltz Building118 52nd StreetPittsburgh, PA 15201

goodwillswpa.org

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

P A I DPITTSBURGH, PAPERMIT NO. 2972

Give to Goodwill at goodwillswpa.org/donate-money

Goodwill of Southwestern PennsylvaniaRobert S. Foltz Building118 52nd Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201412-481-9005 goodwillswpa.org

AffiliatesGoodwill of North Central West Virginia1-888-4GW-NCWV (1-888-449-6298)Goodwill Commercial Services, Inc.412-913-1982Goodwill Housing412-257-4844Northside Common Ministries412-323-1163

Our MissionWe help people improve their quality of life through work and related services.

Goodwill’s Code of Conduct Goodwill SWPA is committed to conducting its business in accordance with the highest standards of ethical behavior and regulatory compliance and to treating everyone with dignity and respect. The agency’s full Code of Conduct document – “Ethics at Work” – may be viewed at www.goodwillswpa.org.

Non-discrimination StatementGoodwill SWPA and its affiliates prohibit discrimi-nation on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, or sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity EmployerGoodwill SWPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aides and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For more information, call 412-632-1809 or email accommodations.request@goodwillswpa.org

Goodwill SWPA is CARF accredited.Alternative formats are available upon request.Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

facebook.com/goodwillswpa@gwswpayoutube.com/goodwillswpa

instagram.com/goodwillswpa

DONATE A CAR: It’s a Win for Goodwill and a Win for You

Are you looking to unload a vehicle but want to avoid the hassle of selling it yourself? Donate it to Goodwill. Visit goodwillswpa.org/donate-a-car or call 1-888-30-40-CAR for more details.

Golf for Goodwill Goes VirtualThis year, due to the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwill made the decision to change their annual golf outing fundraiser at the Pittsburgh Field Club to a virtual event.

While all Goodwill stores were allowed to open in late May, it will take quite some time to recover revenue losses from the spring closures. Goodwill’s thrift stores and other business units generate 90 percent of Goodwill SWPA’s operating revenue. That’s why fundraising efforts like the golf outing are so important.

Even though golfers cannot enjoy friendship face to face and exchange a handshake on the fairway, fundraising in lieu of the golf outing is still taking place. Goodwill’s Board of Directors took to the screen to develop a video to say hello, explain about the change in the golf outing, and to personally ask donors to consider continuing their ongoing financial support of Goodwill. The video will be shared via email with last year’s generous donors.

Individuals interested in helping can make a monetary donation online or by mailing a check to Goodwill SWPA. For more information on how to make a gift to the golf event, visit goodwillswpa.org/golfforgoodwill. l

Board Member Jim Droney sports a COVID-19 beard to ask for support in the Pause on the Par video.