Goodwill Columbus

Move aside, Katie Ledecky! I had the honor of meeting two members of the Goodwill Columbus custodial team who are also gold medalists in Special Olympics swimming and other sports. I told Lori and Jodi that I had never met an Olympic medalist before, so it was quite a thrill. The talents of our Goodwill team are endless. #OpportunityforAll

At Goodwill Columbus, we are proud to help people with disabilities or other challenges enhance their quality of life through the power of work, and we are grateful for our strategic community partners who help us carry out this mission. One of those partners is a local frozen food company,?Lopaus Point Waffles.?Lopaus Point — owned by Stacie Murphy Skinner — prioritizes hiring differently-abled employees, many of whom are Goodwill clients. “There are so many other people who are willing and able but are often overlooked because of learning differences," Skinner said. “If our small company can do this, any company can — and should.” Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/e8quwPPT #DevelopmentalDisabilityMonth #WomensHistoryMonth

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month, and it's also the month that Michael Kelly celebrates his tenth anniversary with Goodwill. Mike is a Program Manager for our Adult Day Services team in Berwick. He offers an incredibly nuanced take about those working in the field. "When most people hear what I do, they say, 'That must be so rewarding' or 'You're doing such meaningful work.' I try to shrug that off, because it's way too sappy of a sentiment for me. It's still work. It's full of frustration and challenges and unpleasant experiences, just like any other job. I'm quick to erase the golden?aura people try to place on me." He continued, "However, they?are right in their?assessment on occasion. It can?absolutely be rewarding?and validating. The moments like seeing someone read?a?poem to?a?full?auditorium?after weeks of preparation?and doubt; seeing someone who refuses to participate in group?activities start partaking independently without?any encouragement; even just seeing someone?advocate for themselves for things like schedule changes?and types of services. I love hearing, 'I never thought they would do that' from people, or having my clients come up to me?and say, 'I wasn't sure?about it, but since you were helping me, I decided to try,?and I'm glad I did.' That's the stuff that gets you." Some fun facts about Michael: He has about 120 flannels in his closet at home and an extensive LEGO collection. He loves collecting pop culture sets?and?is currently working on creating his own city of modular buildings.

ColumBEST is an initiative celebrating the best of our city, and Goodwill Columbus is nominated! Supports Goodwill Columbus by voting through the link below, and spread the news about what is happening right here in Columbus! We’re more than just a thrift store. Along with providing low-cost options at our retail locations, we provide free job training to anyone interested and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Franklin County. Your vote not only recognizes Goodwill Columbus as a leading local business, but also supports our mission of #OpportunityForAll https://lnkd.in/gTMPPr2X

Sending our gratitude to our amazing team, and particularly to Hutch! Your dedication and service have been invaluable to our organization. Here's to new adventures and a well-deserved retirement! #OpportunityforAll

We are incredibly proud and lucky to work alongside individuals with unique backgrounds and abilities! Thank you to our invaluable support teams, advocates, and individuals who we serve- We will always work toward #OpportunityforAll

We are proud to announce that Candid has awarded Goodwill Columbus a Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition for nonprofit accountability and openness. Candid’s Platinum Seal is awarded to organizations that provide comprehensive and up-to-date information about their operations, including financial details, program impact, and leadership transparency. This ensures that donors, partners, and supporters can trust the integrity of our work.

Meet a Goodwiller! In April 2021, Trista Spreng began her career with Goodwill as a supervisor at the Outlet Store. She was 16 weeks pregnant. "I was still battling through the world changing with COVID-19 and starting over in Columbus as a transplant from a small town in Ohio," she said. "But Goodwill was an easy choice for me when it came to looking for gainful employment in the area. Growing up, all my formal dresses, shoes, and sports equipment came from Goodwill. I knew Goodwill would be a place to support me in becoming my best self." After having her son in September 2021, Trista quickly "moved up the ladder" and now serves as the Outlet Production & Warehouse Manager. "My favorite part of my job is that I have such a wide view of the company. Therefore, I know there is always a resource available to someone in need. If I cannot personally help, I certainly know of another person or persons who are eager to assist me in the mission," Trista said. "The communication and teamwork my colleagues exercise every day keeps us grounded in the reality of the world around us and how vital our work is. Goodwill is a place where you can come as you are and be accepted, encouraged, and appreciated. Our dedication to the mission is the small way I chose to show my son how important it is to be an active participant in your community. In her free time, Trista enjoys being outdoors. She spends a lot of time with family, camping, and fishing. She also owns and helps her father run a farm in Ashland County, where they raise and process beef. Her son is picking up the obsession she has for thrifting, and she often brings him around to shop!

We are proud to work with such amazing organizations like Junior Achievement of Central Ohio! Columbus has such a thriving community and we are so thankful to be a part of it! ?? #LetsDoGood

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible women across every department and beyond who make our organization—and the world—a better place. Your dedication, creativity, and leadership drive meaningful change every day. We remain committed to uplifting and supporting the women in our workplace and communities. We take today to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and reflect on how we can all play a role in advancing gender equality. #InternationalWomensDay #WomensHistoryMonth