Tiffany's Mission Success
For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, contact Sue Soderberg
EMAIL
or call 717.394.0647
Josh finds employment success.
After graduating from Millersburg High School, Josh needed some direction in finding a job. He was referred to Goodwill and worked with Tammy, his employment specialist, in completing work assessments to find his strengths and determine what type of job would be a good fit.
Josh did four work assessments – stocking shelves at a drug store, stocking shelves at a grocery store (where he worked so fast he was given some end caps to do as well), hanging clothes at the Elizabethville Goodwill store, and food service work at the Millersburg High School cafeteria. Josh had previous food service experience, having worked at the Jump Start Café at the high school and earning his ServSafe certification while still a student. He remained interested in pursuing food service, and his employment specialist was able to set up interviews at local establishments. He was offered a position at Denny’s Lennies in Halifax just two days after being interviewed!
Josh began working at Denny’s Lennies in June. He helps with food prep work, packaging condiments, and switching containers in the cooler, and he is quickly learning new skills and responsibilities. He is quite the presence in the food prep area, having fun and singing along to the radio with his co-workers.
Be sure to stop at Denny’s Lennies to say hi to Josh the next time you’re in Halifax!
Rhoda finds happiness through work.
Visitors to the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store at The Shops at Rockvale in Lancaster may have had the pleasure of meeting one of the newest team members, Rhoda.
Previously, Rhoda was a valuable part of Goodwill’s custodial work crew, but she wanted to find full time employment in the community. Her Goodwill employment specialist, Barbara, discovered that the Cracker Barrel was hiring, and it was perfectly located for Rhoda’s needs. A few days after Rhoda’s resume was submitted, she was contacted for an interview. Rhoda aced her interview and was offered a position on the spot!
Rhoda has been doing great at her new job. She gets along well with her managers and co-workers, and her work ethic, easy smile and infectious sense of humor have made her an integral part of the Cracker Barrel team. Her family, friends and support staff have all noticed that she is happy and upbeat now that she is secure and content in her work environment.
Outside of her job, Rhoda enjoys being active with her church and going out to eat. She is thrilled that her favorite restaurant, Chick-fil-A, is just a stone’s throw from where she works.
Be sure to say hello to Rhoda the next time you’re at the Cracker Barrel!
Goodwill Success Story - Emrys Excels with New Found Confidence
Emrys first came to Goodwill after being referred by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. He had previous work experience in data entry and customer service, but had been laid off. After a few years of unemployment, he was looking for some help finding a job.
Emrys’ employment specialist, Kelsey, set up some community-based work assessments (CBWAs) to find out what type of work would best suit him. Before, Emrys thought that he would like sedentary work like he had before, but after his CBWAs he found that a more physical work environment would also be appropriate. With that in mind, Emrys applied (on his own) and was hired at the Liberty Mountain warehouse in Montoursville, where he has worked his way up from picking items to receiving and entering items into a database.
Outside of work, Emrys enjoys reading, cooking and baking (he makes great enchiladas), and playing Magic: The Gathering and computer games. Many of his co-workers also enjoy gaming, and they all look forward to periodic game nights with one another.
Emrys is appreciative of the support he received from Goodwill in finding competitive employment. He now has increased confidence in his abilities, has discovered new personal leadership qualities, and has learned that he is more resilient and adaptable than he previously realized.
Goodwill Success Story: Cassie "One of the hardest workers we have."
For the past two years, the Rite Aid warehouse in Langhorne has been lucky to have Cassie on the job. Described as “dependable” and “one of the hardest workers we have”, she regularly exceeds her quotas unloading and reloading trucks to keep the chain of drug stores stocked.
Before working at the warehouse, Cassie was doing some part time assembly and shipping work but was not happy. She wanted a full time position with benefits, plus her workplace was less than welcoming. After a referral from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Cassie began services with a Goodwill Keystone Area Employment Specialist.
The first step was to perform some work assessments, which were helpful in identifying Cassie’s skills and vocational interests. She gets bored when she’s not active and likes to stay busy, so warehouse work was a natural fit for her.
Outside of work, Cassie enjoys visiting her grandfather, spending time at the mall with her girlfriend, playing card games, eating at buffets, and going to waterparks. She likes sports and follows the Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers, and has the courage to admit to liking the Giants over the Eagles.
Cassie continues to find success through work and being a productive member of her community. Her warm smile and unflinching self-advocacy serve as an inspiration and a great example to her family, friends, and co-workers.