A PUBLICATION BY GOODWILL OF NORTH FLORIDA Winter 2016 F or 15 years, Goodwill of North Florida has been hosting the Striving to Succeed Luncheon to honor three Achievers of the Year, screening inspirational videos about their success with the programs and services provided by our Job Junctions. The 2015 honorees are a diverse group of individuals, who have all had personal challenges, but have overcome their barriers to employment with the help of Goodwill. Please take the time to read each of their uplifting stories on pages 10-11. Another highlight of the day is the celebrity fashion show – which received collective sighs each time emcee Nikki Kimbleton revealed the price tags. Every outfit (many of them designer trends) from head to toe, including shoes, jewelry and accessories, ranged from $35 to $50. This annual luncheon started at the corporate headquarters with just 25 people in attendance. Growing to more than 650 guests. It has become our signature event and has been held for eight consecutive years at the Morocco Shrine Center. Along the way, it matured into a very classy event with linen table cloths, a flower-lined runway and giant video screens to ensure visibility from the front of the house to the back. But 2015 was different. It had to be. It was time to celebrate Goodwill’s 75th anniversary of service to the North Florida community. So with a couple of phone calls, the stage was set. A corridor of White Bird of Paradise plants led guests into the venue where glowing crystal chandeliers from the ceiling to the floor lined the foyer and the stage. The only colors allowed to invade the space were blue, black, white and silver. The ambiance was elegant, and guests audibly noted the difference. Not only did those in attendance give complimentary remarks, but our entire community received an inside peak because every local station covered the event on TV. Likewise, the celebrity models’ “Green Room,” previously bare of any artistic design, was decorated with a chic lounge area and hair and makeup stations for Paul Mitchell The School, who volunteer every year to make the celebrity models runway ready. The vibe was palpable. Goodwill’s business partners rewarded the company for long-time loyalty in the form of sponsorships and in-kind donations for the event. 75th Anniversary Celebration: Goodwill commemorates diamond anniversary in style (Continued on page 3) Goodwill Of North Florida is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our mission is to provide job training and placement services for people with disabilities and special needs.
Transcript
a p u b l i c at i o n b y g o o d w i l l o f n o r t h f l o r i da
w i n t e r 2 0 1 6
For 15 years, Goodwill of North Florida has been hosting the Striving to Succeed Luncheon to honor three Achievers of the Year, screening
inspirational videos about their success with the programs and services provided by our Job Junctions. The 2015 honorees are a diverse group of individuals, who have all had personal challenges, but have overcome their barriers to employment with the help of Goodwill. Please take the time to read each of their uplifting stories on pages 10-11. Another highlight of the day is the celebrity fashion show – which received collective sighs each time emcee Nikki Kimbleton revealed the price tags. Every outfit (many of them designer trends) from head to toe, including shoes, jewelry and
accessories, ranged from $35 to $50.This annual luncheon started at the corporate headquarters with just 25 people in attendance. Growing to more than 650 guests. It has become our signature event and has been held for eight consecutive years at the Morocco Shrine Center. Along the way, it matured into a very classy event with
linen table cloths, a flower-lined runway and giant video screens to ensure visibility from the front of the house to the back.
But 2015 was different. It had to be. It was time to celebrate Goodwill’s 75th anniversary of service to the North Florida community. So with a couple of phone calls, the stage was set. A corridor of White Bird of Paradise plants led guests into the venue where glowing crystal chandeliers from the ceiling to the floor lined the foyer and
the stage. The only colors allowed to invade the space were blue, black, white and silver. The ambiance was elegant, and guests audibly noted the difference. Not only did those in attendance give complimentary remarks, but our entire community received an inside peak because every local station covered the event on TV. Likewise, the celebrity models’ “Green Room,” previously bare of any artistic design, was decorated with a chic lounge area and hair and makeup stations for Paul Mitchell The School, who volunteer every year to make the celebrity models runway ready. The vibe was palpable. Goodwill’s business partners rewarded the company for long-time loyalty in the form of sponsorships and in-kind donations for the event.
75th Anniversary Celebration: Goodwill commemorates diamond anniversary in style
(Continued on page 3)Goodwill Of North Florida is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our mission is to provide job training and placement services
for people with disabilities and special needs.
Revenue 2015
Expenses 2015
Annual Report To The Community
Goodwill of North Florida 2016 Board of Directors
Donated Goods
$214,943$937,862
Contracts
WorkForce DevelopmentMisc.
Payroll & Related
Operating
Occupancy
Michael anapolskyJames f. bailey, Jr.lou blackrodney r. braceangela M. brownpatrick d. coleman tim davlantes, M.d.bob Ellisnathaniel ford, Jr.Kirk hansencurtis hazel
Marc hefnercurtis hensondeborah a. Knauer, Esq.James lanahanpeter litsky ron MallettSteve MathewsJohn Murraypatrick Sugrefrank c. watsondebbie Verges
Payroll & Related Occupancy Operating
$17,689,693
$7,607,238
$6.107,433
$24,862,683
$6,697,392Thanks to broad community support, 2015 was filled with milestones, accomplishments, growth and pride. And a renewed commitment to make 2016
even better. As you’ll see in this edition of Bootstraps, we opened new upscale retail locations in Orange Park and Mandarin — along with the area’s first stand-alone drive-thru donation center, also in Mandarin. Thanks to a $3 million federal grant, Take Stock in Children (TSIC) launched a pilot mentoring program help more than 4,100 local at-risk students earn a college education. Our ongoing programs had a banner year too. The new A-STEP program (Academic Support Through the
Employment Process) is off to a great start, putting 29 hardworking adults well on their way to a stronger financial future through scholarships and certifications. Meanwhile, our e-Commerce department ranked among the nation’s Top 10 for online sales. Like any Diamond Anniversary, ours featured celebrations and events. Our annual Blue Sunday Champagne Brunch & Fashion Show at Bluetique was a huge success. At our Striving To Succeed Luncheon, 650 people celebrated the successes of three new honorees. Thanks to the Good Turn for Goodwill program, area Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts were rewarded for collecting 4,922 bags of donated goods. And nearly 8,000 local students, representing 17 schools in Duval and St. Johns Counties, took part in the annual Bag It Up donation drive. These activities translate into funding that lets us offer proven programs that improve the lives of thousands of neighbors right here in Northeast Florida. Thanks to community engagement in 2015, we processed nearly 667,000 donations; assisted 88,885 people in their job searches, exceeding our goal by almost 60 percent; and we placed 14,453 into employment. That’s a lot of improvement, impacting a lot of lives. And we did it with one of the highest efficiency ratings of all: 89 percent of our resources goes directly toward program funding. I invite you to review our 75-year history, chronicled beautifully in a video that’s accessible from the Community tab on our website, www.goodwilljax.org. I also invite you to explore ways to help us exceed our goals in the years ahead. Because ultimately, it’s about improving the lives of people right here in this community. Thank you for supporting Goodwill of North Florida. Here’s to another spectacular 75 years!
Sincerely,
Robert H. ThayerGoodwill Industries of North Florida
(Continued from page 1)
What’s So Good About Goodwill?
A: Because we are transparent. If you ever hear a rumor about us, feel free to call and ask us questions. And please do your own research through independent resources like Snopes.com before passing along a rumor.
A: Even during economically challenging times, we always maintain administrative costs to just 11 cents on every dollar generated. That commitment allowed us to assist 88,885 people this year in their job searches, and we placed 14,453 of them into employment.
A: Our mission. People are familiar with our stores, but if they’ve never had to use our services, they don’t know what we do with 89 cents of every dollar we generate. They’re also surprised to find out that we personally hire more than 700 people in five diverse lines of business:
CEO Bob Thayer wrapped up the afternoon with a Q&A.
n Stores & Donation Centersn Job Junctionsn Hospital Laundryn Food Service at NAS Jax and Mayport Naval Stationn Landscape Consultants Inc., Nighttime Décor & Christmas Décor
Commercial LandscapingA 30-year track record for excellence and client satisfaction
Looking Great Just Got a Whole Lot Easier!
Nighttime DécorCustomized, hassle-free exterior
lighting that sets the perfect mood
Christmas DécorStunning, effortless holiday lighting for businesses and homeowners
All services are provided by Landscape Consultants, Inc. – a Goodwill company. Call 904-563-1895 for free estimates.
Q: Why should people trust Goodwill with their donated
goods?
Q: What are some of Goodwill’s accomplishments that you are most
proud of?
Q: When you share the organization’s story, what are
people mostly referring to when they say, “I didn’t know that about
Goodwill”?
Fashion Forward While Paying It Forward...
The 2015 Celebrity Models Included:Daniel Austin — Bold Theatre GroupLindsey Boetsch — First Coast News NBC-12 & ABC-25Tracy “Dot Com” Collins — Goodwill of North FloridaHeather & Pressly Crawford — First Coast News NBC-12 & ABC-25Tenikka Hughes — Action News Jax FOX-30 & CBS-47Melanie & Layah Lawson-Minor — WJXT/TV4Karen Brune Mathis — Financial News & Daily RecordMatt Pittman — Florida Times-Union, Matt About JaxBeth Sullivan — Fashion Stylist & JournalistNikos Westmoreland — PRI Productions
...75 Years of Good Work, Good Deeds and Goodwill!
Thank You to Our Anniversary SponsorsGold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Bush Construction Company, Inc. Peter Sleiman Development Group Morocco Shrine Center Sight & Sound Productions
TigerLily Media
The LBA Group TD Bank Tom Trout, Inc.
Almond Engineering Colliers International Comcast Business Doherty Sommers Architects Engineers, Inc. Harbinger Sign Harden Inky Fingers Printing iVenture McKendree’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Sleiman Enterprises and The Jacksonville Landing Thigpen Heating & Cooling, Inc. Tom Nehl Truck Company
We provide you with:• Design consultation• Complete installation• In-season service• Timely takedown• Commercial or Residential
To view a full listing of our services and view a sampling of our designs and installations, please
visit us online at
www.ChristmasDecorJax.comor call
(904) 563-1895to see how Very Merry your holiday can be!
Goodwill Gets the Attentionof National Media PersonalitiesCLARK HOWARD SHOW Clark Howard, a popular consumer expert and host of the nationally syndicated Clark Howard Show, trended on popular social media sites when he posted the blog “5 reasons why Goodwill is better than Target.”Katy Wolk-Stanley, a regular financial contributor to ClarkHoward.com, described Goodwill as her go-to store, noting that fans of the popular red bullseye department store will probably “assemble a group of pitchfork-wielding villagers” over her comments, but “let me explain my reasoning.” Goodwill’s profits go to help those in need — Katy informed readers of the Goodwill mission statement and provided a link to another blog she wrote after taking a Goodwill tour. Your Goodwill purchases are worth more than you pay — It’s a concept regular thrift store shoppers are familiar with on everyday purchases, and she even cited the highly publicized story about the Arizona Goodwill shopper who bought a rare watch for $6 and sold it for $35,000. Again, providing readers with a link to the AOL story and video. Choosing to buy used instead of new is an environmentally sound practice — Katy addressed the subject of our carbon footprint and the importance of keeping not only manufactured items, but also the packaging of those items, out of the landfill. Target merchandise is trend driven and quickly goes out of style — Katy wrote, “Timeless (and frankly better quality) home goods abound at Goodwill.” Goodwill is cheaper than Target — Katy wrapped up her list by citing the first four reasons wouldn’t even be relevant without the Goodwill prices. “Goodwill keeps me on budget, helps me to create my own unique style and is the more environmentally responsible choice.” To read Katy’s blog in it’s entirety, visit ClarkHoward.com/why-goodwill-is-better-than-target.
KRISTIAN BUSH When Kristian Bush, former half of country music’s hot duo Sugarland, released his popular solo single “Trailer Hitch,” he took the message of the song from the radio waves to the streets. With lyrics like “Never seen a hearse with a trailer hitch,” the song is a lighthearted reminder that we have so much ‘stuff,’ but when we die, we can’t take it with us. So why not give it away? Kristian partnered with Goodwill Industries International and he was on the road in 2015 to spread the word about Goodwill’s mission. “I think a lot of people feel like you need to have extra money in order to be a ‘philanthropist’ or make a difference in the world,” says Kristian. “But we all have a box or a bag of things we don’t need sitting around in our house or our car. Anyone can become a job creator just by donating that stuff to Goodwill, and when you learn more about what Goodwill does with the proceeds from your donations, you will be amazed. It’s philanthropy that anyone can engage in, and it really does change lives.” Kristian toured, appeared on talk shows, taped his comical “Trailer Hitch” video in a Goodwill store, and used social media to further the mission message, using the hashtag #GiveItAway. To learn more about Kristian Bush’s partnership with Goodwill, and to see the official “Trailer Hitch” video and an appearance on Conan O’Brien, visit Goodwill Industries International’s website Goodwill.org/TrailerHitch.
In 1902, Rev. Edgar J. Helms started Goodwill in Boston’s South End to help his unemployed congregation. Families donated unwanted clothing,
shoes and household items. Congregation members restored the items and sold them at a weekly church bazaar. This cycle created job training and a weekly paycheck. Since 1940, the model in Jacksonville has been the same. Donors drop off unwanted items at Goodwill, shoppers get fabulous finds at great prices, and the dollars generated are used to operate Goodwill Job Junctions — career resource centers that offer free job training and placement services. But there is so much more to this story …
The 1940s March 8, 1940 — Rev. H.T. Foley hosts a dinner at the Riverside Park United Methodist Church. That night, the congregation votes to start a Goodwill chapter in the church’s Christian Education Building. In September of that same year, Goodwill moves into a small downtown store front at 32 East Bay Street. Today, the property is the JAX Chamber’s gateway to Downtown. In 1949, the organization grows to a three-story retail store and furniture
repair shop. The building on Newnan Street remains recognizable today as home of the Financial News & Daily Record.
The 1950s and ‘60s During the 1950s, Goodwill
expands to five locations, including a small corner store on Lenox Avenue.
And in 1960, we break ground on the same property to construct a new, 30,000-square-foot facility, which continues to serve today as our corporate headquarters.The decade also ushers in the Boy Scouts’ Good Turn for Goodwill clothing drive in 1962. It ended several decades
later. But in 2014, the Girl Scouts revived the program, collecting donations to earn a patch, and soon the Boy Scouts did, too. Also in the ‘60s, Larry’s Family Shoe Store sponsors an annual Back to School drive in the summer. It’s followed by high school clothing drives in the winter. The program has transformed into Bag It Up, an elementary school initiative each spring that teaches
kids about philanthropy, recycling and working together as a team.
The 1970s The 1970s are best highlighted by Goodwill’s increased assistance for people with physical and developmental disabilities. Grants provide vocational rehabilitation with on-the-job training in cafeteria work, small appliance repair and office skills. In 1974, Goodwill suffers a potential setback when a major fire
destroys 20,000 square feet of the corporate plant. But our consistent dedication to the community is returned in kind when Jacksonville rallies to replace the materials and provide warehouse space during the 6-month reconstruction.
The 1980s and ‘90s The decade of the ‘80s is remembered for big hair and leg warmers. But for us, it is the start of sluggish sales and lukewarm profits. It was time for change. So Goodwill starts formulating a plan to turn around the decline.The game plan of the ‘80s intensifies in the ‘90s. Bob Thayer is hired as CEO in 1995, and the organization aggressively expands its outreach to include anyone who is having trouble finding work. To fund this initiative, one donation center became 10 and sorting efficiency increased. Six stores grew to 10 stores and they all got a facelift, including a more appealing look and a donation drop off. True to the mission, in 1997, Goodwill opened its
Snapshots of History…
doors to the very first Job Junction, a walk-in employment center available to all walks of life in need of work. Under Bob’s leadership, from 1995 to 1999, Goodwill’s revenues nearly tripled from $3 million to $8.7 million, affording the organization the opportunity to grow exponentially in people served from 373 to 5,666 annually. But the new millennium was about to see the biggest change of all.
The 2000s Over the next 15 years, the store count doubles to 21, the Donation Centers increase to 18 and revenues grow from $8.7 million to more than $33 million. Operating at just 89 cents on the dollar, this financial growth allows Goodwill the opportunity to expand its services in helping people with barriers to employment. In 2007, Goodwill opened a commercial healthcare laundry facility that is now responsible for 7.5 million pounds of laundry annually and employs 80 people. And in 2012, we purchased LCI, a professional landscape company that employs 37 people … and we launched our eCommerce department known as ShopGoodwill.com, an online bidding resource that allows local items to be sold online all over the nation with the revenues staying right here in our area. But in 2013, it was the technical transformation of the Job Junctions that provided our greatest growth. New computers and state-of-the-art programs expanded the Job Junction footprint when the IT Department created
the Virtual Job Junction, an online program that no longer requires job seekers to visit a brick and mortar Job Junction. Now anyone can access us from any computer, allowing single parents the ability to utilize Goodwill services without hiring a babysitter or giving anyone challenged with transportation an opportunity to job search from anywhere there is computer access. As a result, more than 90,000 people utilized at least one Goodwill service in 2015, and the Job Junction team
placed more than 14,000 into employment. With job placement being our highest priority, in 2014, Goodwill launched a partnership with Take Stock in Children. Through Take Stock, Goodwill started A-STEP, a program that provides scholarships to deserving adults who can’t afford higher education but have a hunger for knowledge. Now clients don’t just get entry-level jobs, they get better jobs.
Watch the video Goodwill of North Florida: Snapshots of History at GoodwillJax.org under the COMMUNITY tab.
“These stores are our daily telethon because the money generated is
the financial catalyst that funds our mission,” CEO Bob Thayer said in a
2003 interview.Corporate headquarters today
4257 Lenox Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32205
...75 years in the making
Kathleen McParland Eleven years ago, Kathleen’s husband was killed in a car wreck. The following year, Hurricane Wilma hit her home, destroying everything she owned. Everything except her survivor’s spirit. “I allowed myself a pity party for three to six months,” Kathleen said. “Then I said, ‘I’ve got to get over this. I’ve got to go on living.’” She moved to Gainesville to be closer to her two daughters, but she had no job and nowhere to live. “Almost every day I would go to the Job Junction,” she said. “And then I would go to the library and spend another couple of hours on the computer. I had applied for almost any job you can imagine.” She put in three to four applications every day for three to four months, but Kathleen’s phone never rang. She wasn’t even getting calls for interviews. “I was in tears sometimes. I was thinking, ‘What is wrong with me?’ I was very discouraged.” Finally, the lightbulb came on and she asked her employment
2015 Achievers of the Year
While people in our community are very familiar with our brick-and-mortar stores, many don’t know that Goodwill store revenues fund our mission to help people with difficult obstacles find gainful employment. Our annual Striving to Succeed Luncheon & Celebrity Fashion Show helps us put a face on that mission. Each
year we select three individuals who have used Goodwill programs and services to change their lives. Meet our 2015 Achievers of the Year – Kathleen McParland, Chester Swan and Liz Armstrong. And watch their video testimonies under the COMMUNITY tab at GoodwillJax.org.
specialist, “Is Goodwill hiring?” Kathleen put in her application, and within days she was wearing a blue Goodwill T-shirt as a sales associate. She immediately went back to the Job Junction and told her employment specialist, “Eureka! We made it!” Kathleen works in the Gainesville South store where she is very popular with the customers.“I wanted to do something constructive. I didn’t want to be a little old lady,” she said. “One of these days I will grow up, but right now Peter Pan is still alive and doing well!”
Chester Swan Lots of people work at the Goodwill corporate office. There is a laundry, a warehouse, a Job Junction and a pound store, so not everyone knows each other by name. But everyone in the building knows Chester Swan. How could they not? He’s known for his big smile, positive attitude, friendly disposition and even his dance moves. “I’ve been watching Dancing with the Stars,” he said. “So, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.” Chester started in Goodwill’s laundry department through the Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center. He would ride to and from every day on the school bus. After he was hired full-time, there came a point when Chester had to start taking public transportation. And that was a challenge. “When they told me I had to catch the bus, I was terrified because I had never taken a city bus before in my life,” he said. His co-workers rallied to pump him up and offer encouragement. They believed in him. He was scared and nervous, but the first day he traveled to work on a JTA bus by himself, Chester was so excited, he walked in and exclaimed, “I did it!” Shortly after receiving his Achiever of the Year award, Chester was promoted to a job internally
with better pay and better hours. He’s grateful for the opportunity because both of his parents have been diagnosed with cancer and Chester helps support the family. “This next year is going to be a little more difficult,” he said. “But I say, ‘Hey, don’t worry, Chester. Because you can accomplish this, too. Nothing can get in your way.’”
Liz Armstrong When Elizabeth “Liz” Armstrong was 13, she and all of her siblings were taken away from their parents and put into foster care. They were all separated. “Things could have gotten a lot worse,” she said. “I could have ended up on the streets on drugs. But I didn’t. I decided I was going to be something.” Liz was diligent about staying employed, but her lack of post-secondary education prevented her from advancing in any company. So she bounced from job to job. “I had seen the Goodwill commercials,” she said. “They get people to donate stuff and then, in turn, Goodwill helps other people. I like that a lot.” Liz decided to apply for a job and was hired by Goodwill as a sales associate. One day she opened her paycheck envelope and found a flyer attached describing a new Goodwill college scholarship program for adults. Known as A-STEP (Academic Support Through the Employment Process), it was the opportunity she had been waiting for—a chance to gain the knowledge and skills to change her life. She applied for a degree in medical assisting, but first she had to take an entrance exam. Even though Liz
had not been to school in many years, she passed with flying colors, surprising even herself with the score. Liz continues to score As on her tests and make the Dean’s List, and she credits A-STEP Program Manager Jill Black with her success. “I don’t know what I would do without her,” a very emotional Liz said. She stopped to wipe away a tear and continued, “Because throughout this whole process, she’s been there for me. I don’t know. Without her I don’t know if I could have done this.” Liz is looking forward to graduating this year. “I have a career now,” she said. “It’s not just a job anymore. This is real. And it’s amazing.”
Congratulations to our e-Commerce Department
for ranking in theTop 10 Highest National Online
Sales!
Last year’s Bag It Up donation drive saw a huge increase in participation by local elementary schools. Nearly 8,000 local kids took part, and the number of participating schools jumped from 11 to 17. Thirteen of those reached the benchmark (60 percent of student contributing) required to win an award.
Each of the winning schools received a check for $1,000 and a new computer station for their media centers. Students from those schools were also entered into a drawing for a family 4-pack to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and a family 4-pack to Disney World. The annual drive, once limited to St. Johns County, attracted the attention of one school in Duval County, North Florida School of Special Education. When Goodwill invited them to join the promotion, they jumped in with both feet—achieving a 100 percent student participation rate, augmented by donations from the entire staff and faculty. Another first-year participant, The Webster School, had so much fun with the promotion they created an entertaining video to teach other schools how to reach their goal.
Winning SchoolsLiberty Pines Academy 100%North Florida School of Special Education 100%South Woods Elementary 100%The Webster School 100%Timberlin Creek Elementary 75%Otis A. Mason Elementary 70%Ocean Palms Elementary 67%Palencia Elementary 66%Mill Creek Elementary 61%Valley Ridge Academy 61%Durbin Creek Elementary 60%PVPV/Rawlings Elementary 60%
Record Number of Schools ‘Bag It Up’
A fter four years in Ponte Vedra Beach, Bluetique is headed north. Goodwill’s concept boutique store sells new and donated designer clothing and accessories for men and women at 50 to 90 percent off retail prices.
The idea is extremely popular among savvy shoppers who love to wear well-known tags but don’t want to pay full price. However, the current location is a geographical challenge to a core group of Goodwill shoppers. So during the first quarter of 2016, Bluetique will move next door to Goodwill’s store located at 1036 Beach Blvd. The facility will be about half the size it is now, around 3,500 square feet, but the reduced square footage will be made up by the additional foot traffic the new location is expected to enjoy. “The Jacksonville Beach store will get a facelift as we prepare to relocate Bluetique,” said Chief Operating Officer Karen Phillips. “Renovations began in December and a grand re-opening is planned for early spring.”
Guests at the annual Blue Sunday Champagne Brunch & Fashion Show are always
excited to kick off the holiday season — and ring up the savings — at Bluetique. Especially since the event was scheduled five days before Black Friday, the heaviest shopping day of the year. But this year was extra festive, and the credit goes to the celebrity models. Among them: Kimberly Clarke, owner of Kimberly Clarke Salon; Scott Kimbleton, Associate
Partner at IBM; Melissa Ross, host and producer of WJCT’s First Coast Connect; Elizabeth Campbell, reporter with WJXT’s River City Live; and Melissa Kingston, owner of Definition Fitness. Despite all this talent in the room, it was Curtis Dvorak who got the most laughs. Dvorak hosts First Coast News’ First Coast Living and is known for his antics on the field as Jaguars mascot Jaxson De Ville. He brought his playful spirit to the blue carpet
The Blue Sunday Party Is Always Red Hotand stole the show when he walked out with a half
mannequin draped around his neck. He popped a bottle of champagne on his way back down the runway, stopped for a selfie with a fan, and finished his moment in the blue spotlight with a juggling act using tennis balls he’d found backstage Emceed by Goodwill Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Tracy “Dot Com” Collins, the fashion show provided an extra helping of pre-holiday fun.
Model Scott Kimbleton, who used a Jaguar statue as a prop during his electrifying turn on the runway, ended up buying the statue. After all, it’s Goodwill, right? Everything’s for sale, and all for a good cause. To see photos and a video from Blue Sunday, visit the COMMUNITY section of GoodwillJax.org.
ith an ice skating rink, ice slide and regular Santa sightings in the Blizzard Bluff Village, Adventure Landing’s annual WinterFEST was already pretty festive. Last season Jacksonville’s favorite water park destination decided to turn up the holiday spirit another notch with Giving Trees. For the first time ever, 13 local charities were invited to come and decorate a Christmas tree—not only to add to the merry winter scene, but also to create awareness for their organization. Rockaway Garden Center donated the trees, and Adventure Landing provided the space. The decorative creativity was the responsibility of the organizations. Goodwill Industries of North Florida and our educational partner Take Stock in Children Duval were extremely grateful to be
included. Media Mix President and CEO Natalie Dunlap, who handles all of Adventure Landing’s marketing and advertising needs, estimates more than
50,000 people saw the Christmas tree display. “I can tell you, every single guest stops at every single tree,” Natalie said. “And that’s what this is really all about. It made the event more festive, but it was really about creating awareness.”
A new national TV commercial for Google puts Goodwill front-and-center for free. The ad, which promotes a new smartphone application for people
who are moving. The ad tells a story of two men trying (and failing) to maneuver a woman’s couch up a flight of stairs. Watching them in futility, the woman decides it would be easier to donate the couch. She consults the Google moving app on her smartphone, asking “What time does Goodwill close?” The app responds by giving her the closest Goodwill location information, including address, phone number and hours of operation. It’s great public relations that reinforces the strong connection between the Goodwill name and donations of used furniture.
To see a video of the Google ad, visit the BLOG section GoodwillJax.org.
Adventure Landing Gives Back with Giving Trees
W
T hanks to Goodwill’s new A-STEP program (Academic Support Through the Employment Process), 29 hardworking adults, comprising the
inaugural Class of 2015, are well on their way to a stronger financial future. Previously held back in low-wage jobs, the graduates earned college scholarships and advanced certifications that jump-start their careers. A-STEP provides extensive case management, gap funding and ongoing one-on-one support that can enable low-skilled adults to enroll and succeed in college—and ultimately in careers in more lucrative fields. “This program is one-of-a-kind in Northeast Florida,” said A-STEP Program Manager Jill Black. “A-STEP provides unique opportunities for motivated adults to earn a certification or degree, increase their skills, and make themselves more attractive to employers offering self-sustaining wages.” The investment in the Class of 2015 is already paying off. Eight students have made the Dean’s List, three have earned certifications in OSHA 30, Forklift Operations and Business Entrepreneurship, and a fourth earned her certification in Applied Science and has been accepted into FSCJ’s Nursing Program. With this much success, the program is set to nearly double in size. Black said the goals moving forward include 50 actively enrolled students in 2016. A-STEP is also actively seeking collaborations with other nonprofits to provide services for students enrolled in the program. Counseling opportunities are
When we first published a story about Take Stock in Children (TSIC) alumna Belkis Plata in last year’s Bootstrap, she had a lot to share. At that time, the now 30-year-old University of Florida grad told us she was the youngest Hispanic woman to
own her own law firm, and she had decided to pay it back by becoming a TSIC mentor to her two nieces. She then went on to win the State of Florida’s 2015 TSIC Alumna of the Year award. Now Belkis is making Bootstrap headlines because in January her influential life expanded past state boundaries and went national when she became one of three people to receive the 2016 Excellence in Mentoring Award at the 6th annual National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C.“As I climb the ladder of personal advancement,” she said, “I never forget that the struggle for survival for many children is a daily reality.” Belkis thanked her family for all of their support and TSIC for the opportunity to go to college and live her dreams. But it was her appreciation of mentor Mindy Hanna that really stood out. “Mindy offered me the benefit of her life experiences. I am forever grateful to her and the program for inspiring me to pay it forward through mentoring and outreach programs,” she said. “This award is a symbol of the success of the Take Stock in Children program.”
Inaugural Class Embarks on A-STEP Journey
available in life skill areas including personal finances, first-time home ownership, debt reduction, credit use and health care assistance. The A-STEP team will also be working with FSCJ to assist with job placement for graduates in their area of study.For more information about A-STEP, visit the EDUCATION section of GoodwillJax.org.
TSIC Alumna Wins National Honors
ocal Boy Scout and Girls Scouts collected a total of 4,825 bags of donated items last year—items that translate into funding for the work that benefits our
clients. The Good Turn for Goodwill program was revived in 2014, after more than 20 years of inactivity, by the local Girls Scouts organization. They were joined in 2015 by the Boy Scouts North Florida Council. In its heyday the Good Turn program was so popular that many recent volunteers remember participating in the original program. Participants earn a variety of recognition rewards depending on how many bags of donated items they collect. All participants can earn an entry-level black Good Turn patch for filling four or more bags. Boy Scout units and Girl Scout troops that collect the most bags overall receive a silver patch. The Boy Scout District and Girl Scout Community (made up of unit and troop groupings) that collect the most overall receive a gold patch. Gold Service Champion rocker patch – was inspired by the Girl Scouts zealous efforts the first year. Some girls collected from 25 to more than 200 bags. Now, every scout who collects 25 or more bags earns this special recognition For more than two decades, the Boy Scouts Good Turn
Boy Scouts Join the Girls To Do a Good Deed for Goodwill service hours project lay dormant. Then in 2014, the Girls Scouts revived the program, and now the Boy Scouts are back again, too. Volunteers heard about the renewed partnership between the Boy Scouts North Florida Council and Goodwill at their annual recognition dinner, emceed by Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations Tracy Collins. “I was surprised by how many of the volunteers approached me after the awards ceremony and told me they remembered the program,” Tracy said. “Many of them were Scouts who earned the Good Turn patch, but there were some who have been volunteering for so long, they initiated the program in their unit years ago.”Both the boys and girls have the opportunity to earn a black patch by collecting four or more bags of donations. Boy Scout units and Girl Scout troops that collect the most overall receive a silver patch. The latest addition to the Good Turn program – a gold SERVICE CHAMPION rocker patch – was inspired by the Girl Scouts zealous efforts the first year. Some girls collected from 25 to more than 200 bags. Now, every scout who collects 25 or more bags earns this special recognition. And scouts also compete for a grand prize package for the most donations overall. The winner receives a Family Fun Pack to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, a pizza party and a Goodwill gift certificate.
2015 SERVICE CHAMPION
Good Turnfor
2015
DO A GOOD TURN FOR GOODWILL
GOODWILL AND GIRL SCOUTS...WHERE RECYCLING MEETS PHILANTHROPY
2015 BOY SCOUT PARTICIPATION37 Units143 Scouts1,771 Bags CollectedGold Patch Winners: Black Creek DistrictSilver Patch Winners: Unit #94Grand Prize Winner: Wyatt Hess
Wyatt Hess (second from left) was the grand prize winner. Troop #1086, who revived Good Turn for Goodwill, won the
2015 Silver Patch.
Back in January, 2015, Goodwill’s Workforce Development set a goal of providing free job training and placement services to 57,000
individuals by year-end. This lead measure had to be accomplished in order to reach our employment goal. After all, to place more people into jobs, we needed more people to access our programs and services. What we didn’t anticipate was making goal by the end of July and then continuing on through 2015 at the same pace. By the end of 2015, we had served more than 91,000 local participants—exceeding the goal by almost 60 percent. “The addition of our Virtual Job Junction was a huge asset,” Vice President of Workforce Development Linda Lewis said. “Our clients no longer need to walk into our brick-and-mortar Job Junctions. They can access our system from home, from the library, anywhere there is a computer.” About one-third of the services utilized were through the Virtual Job Junction, and the results were huge, allowing us to place 14,453 individuals into competitive employment—also exceeding
Job Junctions See Huge Spike in Enrollmentour goal for 2015. “We’ve also been very successful this year at creating partnerships with area businesses that use our facilities for hiring events and orientation,” Lewis
said. The Job Junctions deploy social media, emails and phone calls to alert job seekers to the opportunities to interview on site with various companies, including Waffle House, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Job Corps and more. In addition, the Job Junctions have partnered with Vision is Priceless, whose representatives rotate weekly throughout our sites to offer free eye exams. Every day, we provide services including resume writing, career counseling and access to our computers, printers, phone, fax and copy center.
If you know anyone in need of employment, or if you are a business owner wanting pre-screened employee candidates,
call Job Junction at 904-516-3566 to speak to one of our employment specialists.
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GOAL GOAL
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I Got The Job!!!!ScOreBOArd
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workforce development
Our Take Stock in Children (TSIC) program got a $3 million boost toward helping deserving at-risk, low-income students in our area get a college educa-
tion. That’s the amount of funding included in an Invest-ing In Innovation (i3) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The funds are being used to launch a pilot mentoring program in three high schools in Duval and Columbia counties. The goal: To expand a 1-to-1 mentoring model into a novel school-wide mentoring approach that will impact more than 4,100 students over a four-year period. Students will also be provided with college readiness cur-riculum that prepares them for post-secondary education and employment. “We know that all of our students are capable of gradu-ating from high school and college,” said Dr. Nikolai P. Vitti, Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools. “But to do that they need support along that journey—some students more than others.” Vitti said this one-of-a-kind partnership will provide that support by filling gaps in many students’ lives.
TSIC was one of 26 programs selected nationwide out of 434 applicants. To even be considered, matching dollars from a private sector donor had to be secured. Jacksonville-based EverBank rose to the occasion, with a donation of $100,000. “We are grateful to EverBank for their ongoing dedica-tion to the Take Stock in Children program,” Goodwill Vice President of Education Leah Lynch said. “Without their generosity and continued support both financially and with the help of their employee mentors, we wouldn’t be able to help as many students as we have this year.” TSIC is reporting an unparalleled high school gradu-ation rate of 96 percent, with 87 percent enrolling in college. TSIC Duval is part of the Goodwill of North Florida education department. We are always recruiting more mentors. Mentors are asked to spend just one hour a week with a student during the school year. As a result, the student is eligible for a four-year scholarship. To find out more about the program, visit the EDUCATION section of GoodwillJax.org.
New Education Grant Benefits At-risk Teens
Last year, shoppers in two of Jacksonville’s prime markets were
treated to a whole new concept in Goodwill retail locations. The new stores, located across the river from each other in Mandarin and Orange Park, feel more like department stores than thrift stores. With flecked laminated floors, bold signage, bright store lighting, upgraded product displays and an upscale boutique area called Treasure Island, they also deliver improved customer service. The new Mandarin store, located at 11524 San Jose Blvd., got off to a fine start in May—with a JAX Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony and brunch with City Councilman Matt Schellenberg. Just down the street, Goodwill also rolled out its first-ever stand-alone donation center, located in a former
New Stores Showcase Total Makeovers
fast-food building at 9910 San Jose Blvd. The convenient drive-through gives donors a quick and easy way to donate items without ever leaving their vehicles.
A few months later, in August, the new Orange Park store opened. Located at 1300 Blanding Blvd., the new facility offers the same inviting upgrades as the Mandarin store. How did the public respond? Opening-day numbers tell the story eloquently. Mandarin logged the best opening day sales in Goodwill of North Florida history, with nearly $17,000. That’s a 70 percent increase over the previous record holder, Gainesville North. The new Orange Park store did a record-breaking $12,188 in sales, setting a new daily best for its area. Be sure to stop by these new locations and experience the makeovers for yourself.Stand-alone donation center.
Gainesville North
Donations Are Accepted At Our Thrift Stores and
Donation Centers
Visit our website to find a location nearest you
GoodwillJax.org
First Coast News Partners with Goodwill
First Coast News has always been known for their philanthropic work in the Jacksonville community. They proved that philosophy to be true this year
with their generous resources devoted to our Education Department, going above and beyond to help the Take Stock in Children program, as well as our A-STEP adult education initiative in several ways. “You often hear it said ‘our children are our future’ and no truer words have ever been spoken,” said FCN President and Senior Manager Rob Mennie. “In joining the good people at Goodwill, First Coast News strives to make the future bright for the children of the First Coast and make this community an even better place to live.” When the partnership started, FCN anchor Heather Crawford was all in. Having a face that is recognizable and trusted in the community attached to your nonprofit is always a good thing. TSIC found that friend in Heather. “I would not be where I am today without the mentors who guided me,” Heather said. “And TSIC is the perfect way for me to give back.” Heather has recruited co-workers to become mentors, opened up her own home and a fellow mentor’s home to host recruitment parties, and she was the face of several phone banks during her broadcast on First Coast News, resulting in hundreds of new mentors calling in to volunteer. FCN also created two public service
announcements. “The involvement of First Coast News has not only brought a tremendous amount of credibility,” Goodwill
Vice President of Education Leah Lynch said. “But the PSAs keep consistent public interest in the program throughout the year.” In addition, Heather hosted the Senior Recognition Night in the spring and the Take Stock Family Dinner and College Expo in the fall. But most important, Heather put her words into action when she became a mentor in 2014 to a Mandarin High School student named Iszy.
“By dedicating just one hour a week to mentoring you have an opportunity to have a positive impact on a young life and make a difference,” Heather said. “I look forward each week to spending time with Iszy. One of
the best days of 2015 was the day she got accepted to UNF. All of her hard work has paid off, and I’m so proud of her!”
Kicking off 2016, First Coast News proved how devoted they are to the cause when they presented VP of Education Leah Lynch with two checks: one for a high school student TSIC scholarship, and another for an adult A-STEP scholarship. If you would like more information on how to become a mentor, visit the EDUCATION section of GoodwillJax.org.
