Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

We are only three hours into Giving Day and have secured nearly 250 donations! Lauren Deitering and Charlotte Jones are heading the charge in West Louisville, but our Somerset Opportunity Center is currently in the lead, followed closely by Bowling Green and Lexington. Give to your local Opportunity Center here: https://lnkd.in/eZTDSZ6z

Tomorrow isn’t just another Tuesday – it’s Goodwill Giving Day! Last October, 40 Goodwillers at the Louisville Opportunity Centers worked together to earn 293 donations totaling more than $23,000! This year, we are taking it statewide. Tomorrow, nearly 100 volunteers at 11 Opportunity Centers from Pikeville to Paducah will be spreading the word and raising funds. Every dollar raised by each Center stays local, supporting essential programs and services that can help change the lives of your neighbors. You can donate to YOUR local Opportunity Center here: https://lnkd.in/eZTDSZ6z

Yesterday, we welcomed Senate President Robert Stivers and Senate Minority Leader Gerald Neal to our West Louisville Opportunity Center! They toured the facility and saw the impact of the bipartisan investment the Kentucky General Assembly has made in the community.

"I have been able to move into a career that I never dreamed I would be able to have. My donations are going to people like me getting a second chance and having hope put back into their lives." Samantha Sharp, Learning & Development Training Facilitator, shares why she will be participating in Goodwill's Giving Day on October 1.

"I was in a really bad spot when I got the job. At first, it was just a job. But then I started meeting people and seeing how [Goodwill] was affecting them and what we were doing to change their lives. As I was helping to change them, it was changing me." Tami Phelps, Senior Store Manager, has been with Goodwill for eight years and she shares why she plans to participate in our upcoming Giving Day on October 1.

Goodwill Industries of Kentucky was proud to join advocates from across the country on behalf of The Clean Slate Initiative to support the passage of H.R. 2930, which will help remove barriers that hinder education, employment, housing and public safety for people living with a federal record. Thanks to Congressman Morgan McGarvery for meeting with us!

This week, we at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky proudly recognize National Employ Older Workers Week, a time to acknowledge the vital role of older workers in the workforce. At Goodwill, we serve individuals 55 years old or older through our Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP), which is designed to link low-income older workers to on-the-job training that can help them move into paid employment, like Rhonda. Rhonda was divorced and living in subsidized housing with only her SNAP benefits and sporadic income as a substitute teacher. She applied to SCSEP in 2019 and was connected to a Career Coach, Lou Anne Akers. She hadn’t had a full-time job since 2000, but after she enrolled, she began to get on-the-job training at two different host agencies. She also completed computer classes to improve her digital literacy skills. After completing the program, Rhonda was hired as a full-time employee at an agency in her hometown. She has the steady income she needs to live more comfortably and independently. She said she has Goodwill and her Career Coach, Lou Anne, to thank. “I would recommend the Goodwill SCSEP program to anyone who needs training to reenter the job market,” Rhonda said. “It helped me in my time of need and helped me get back on my feet. … It has helped my quality of life. I will miss it!” 

Luisa Miranda is an administrative assistant at our South Louisville Goodwill Opportunity Center and Isabella Barrera is our Career Coach Supervisor. They proudly represent Columbia! We asked them why National Hispanic Heritage Month is important to them: Luisa: "Here in Louisville, we are a melting pot. We have immense diversity, and it's important to showcase our culture." Isabella: "It's a representation of my family and my country, and I can feel appreciated. Sometimes, we don't understand how hard it is to move away from the country that you are born in and leave the family you love, the traditions you love. To me, it's really good to see that people care about other cultures. I am here in this country that I love, but I still miss my country a lot." They want you to know that "Columbia is a very beautiful place to visit and it's not as dangerous as everybody says. Their culture is full of love to give to other people. If you ever meet a Columbian, they are likely going to be a good friend."

Are you a job seeker, employer or community agency in the Morehead region? We are hosting an open house with community partners tomorrow (9/19) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST at our recently expanded Morehead Opportunity Center! The event will feature food, guest speaker Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear, and a Goodwill mission speaker. Details: Morehead Opportunity Center 330 Pinecrest Dr. Morehead, KY 40351 (606) 560-6577

At Goodwill, we’re excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15 to October 15, we're proud to honor the vibrant cultures, rich histories and significant contributions of our Hispanic employees and the communities we serve. Meet some of our amazing team members from our South Louisville Goodwill Opportunity Center who bring their unique heritage and dedication to Goodwill every day. Their stories and talents are a testament to the strength and diversity that make our organization special. ¡En Goodwill, estamos emocionados de celebrar el Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, nos enorgullece honrar las culturas vibrantes, las historias ricas y las contribuciones significativas de nuestros empleados hispanos y las comunidades a las que servimos. Conoce a algunos de nuestros increíbles miembros del equipo en el Centro de Oportunidades Goodwill de South Louisville, quienes aportan su herencia única y dedicación a Goodwill cada día. Sus historias y talentos son un testimonio de la fuerza y diversidad que hacen que nuestra organización sea especial.