Goodwill Industries Recognizes Local Workers and Organizations for Dedication to Employment in Metro Detroit
5/25/2010
26th annual Goodwill awards program honors individuals and organizations for outstanding commitment to the fight against regional unemployment
DETROIT – Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit has recognized 15 Detroit area employers, volunteers, workers, trainees and partners for embracing and supporting the organization’s mission to help Metro Detroiters earn employment opportunities. Goodwill Industries recognized the honorees at its 26th Annual Awards Luncheon held Tuesday, May 18 at Hockeytown Café in Detroit.
In just the past two years of the organization’s nearly 90-year history, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit has placed more than 2,000 Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county individuals into new jobs and provided education, training and career assistance to thousands more in the region. Goodwill Industries is the only organization in Southeast Michigan solely dedicated to helping local individuals overcome challenges and secure employment.
“This year’s honorees truly embody the spirit of partnership and determination that enables Goodwill Industries to combat unemployment across Metro Detroit,” said President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit Lorna G. Utley. “Together, we are helping our friends and neighbors across the region become Trained, Trusted and Ready to Work.”
The award winners are:
State Wide Janitorial Services (Detroit) - Employer of the Year
Owner Gary Parker has hired 21 graduates of Goodwill Industries’ nationally recognized “Flip the Script” program. Three of those employees already have earned supervisory opportunities. Created in 2003, Flip the Script engages Detroit’s young men in learning how to overcome devastating socio-economic circumstances and reconstruct their lives.
DTE Energy (Detroit) - Community Partnership Award
DTE Energy’s generous donations of equipment, staff and council enabled Goodwill Industries to launch its first stand-alone, free enterprise venture, Goodwill’s Green Works, Inc., in January 2010. The new Green Works asset recovery and recycling operation already has added 10 transitional work experience positions for 2010, allowing a total of 40 trainees to have an invaluable paid real-world employment experience.
Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center (Dearborn, Mich.) - Community Partnership Award
Senior staffing professional for Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center Christine Evans joined Goodwill’s Business Advisory Council (BAC) and has assisted with BAC recruitment efforts. She also conducts mock interviews with Goodwill customers, critiques customer resumes and has conducted professional development workshops for Goodwill’s Annual Career Fairs.
Archway Marketing Services (Romulus, Mich.) - Community Partnership Award
With a location in Romulus, Mich., Archway Marketing generously donated warehouse space for Goodwill Industries’ “Stuff the Truck” events. Archway staff helped unload, store and track all the gaylords and provided inventory documentation when requested. Archway’s kindness allowed Goodwill to store thousands of pounds of donating clothing.
International Trading Solutions (Detroit) - Community Partnership Award
Detroit-based International Trading Solutions supplied Trucks and drivers for Goodwill Industries’ “Stuff the Truck” events. The company delivered and picked up all empty and full gaylords and provided manpower and equipment when they saw that Goodwill did not have for the resources necessary to transport all the donated goods.
Power Path/Oakland Community College (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) - Community Partnership Award
The Power Path Program is made possible through a grant administered by Oakland Community College. This program provides Goodwill’s Novi Jobs Employment and Training (JET) Program participants with services that include screening for vision, hearing, visual stress and attention.
Lisa Lesz (Canton, Mich.) - Volunteer of the Year
A displaced automotive engineer, Lesz volunteers at Goodwill Industries by tutoring students in math, reading and science.
Edwin Thompson (Southfield, Mich.) - Volunteer of the Year
Also a displaced automotive engineer, Thompson offers his time tutoring students one-on-one in math, reading and science. Thompson goes above and beyond to ensure his students are successful in their pursuit of GEDs.
Martell Waddy (Detroit resident) - Worker of the Year for Wayne County
Waddy joined the Detroit Workforce Development Department’s Hospitality/Retail Career Center in May 2009. The program is operated in partnership with Goodwill Industries. Since graduating, Waddy has gained employment at Motor City Casino and is taking classes at Henry Ford Community College, where he is working toward a degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management.
Alton Mims (Warren, Mich.) - Worker of the Year for Wayne County
Mims credits his time spent in Goodwill’s Flip the Script – Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative program for the success he has enjoyed since being released from prison. Since joining in June 2009 Mims has become an inspiration to others in the program.
Robert Stackable (Novi, Mich.) - Trainee of the Year
After he was laid off, Stackable came to Goodwill in search of assistance in finding a new job. In his involvement in the No Worker Left Behind program, he has proven his strong initiative to succeed. Stackable has obtained employment and looks forward to advancement after he completes his training.
Erika Norman (Farmington, Mich.) - Trainee of the Year
Norman joined the No Worker Left Behind program in June of 2008 and completed her training in December 2009. She has since earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University, all the while working full-time and raising two children. Since graduating, Norman has continued her employment with Soil and Materials Engineers Inc. as an accounting assistant.
Jerry Poyntz (Detroit) - Trainee of the Year
As a returning citizen, it was important for Poyntz to complete the 90-day transitional employment experience. Through his perseverance and integrity in completing the program he has earned a full-time position as a general laborer. Poyntz now helps make a difference by mentoring Michigan Department of Corrections trainees.
Veronica King (Detroit) - Trainee of the Year nominee
In June 2009, King started in the Goodwill Work Force Development Program and was committed to following through with all challenges set in front of her. She ultimately earned a position in the CVS/pharmacy internship program. After completing the program, she obtained a position as a theater event staff member at Motor City Casino.
Robert Reynolds-Stone (Detroit) – Trainee of the Year nominee
Reynolds-Stone is participant in the Supports Coordination Program at Goodwill Industries. He also has enhance his employability through the organization’s Skill Building Program. He now works in Goodwill’s Industrial division as a bench sealer and has become one of its most accomplished workers.
About Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit provides people who have disabilities and other employment challenges with opportunities to become independent, self-supporting citizens through training, work experience and employment in the community. Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit is a Michigan Works! affiliate and is funded in part by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth and Detroit Workforce Development Department. Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. For information, visit www.goodwilldetroit.org.
For photos from the 26th Annual Awards Luncheon, visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/goodwilldetroit.