Goodwill of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas

2011 Community Recognition Award Winners

Humanitarian of the Year:
Chris Cappas

Passion, energy and enthusiasm are the characteristics exemplified by our Humanitarian of the Year, Chris Cappas.

With an incredible passion for Goodwill of Southern Nevada's mission, Chris utilizes amazing levels of energy in pursuit of supporting Goodwill's efforts. Chris' enthusiasm is contagious as the desired results are achieved - it also encourages others to get involved!

Since joining the Goodwill Board of Directors in January 2010, Chris' impact on Goodwill is substantial: hiring Goodwill clients, facilitating Goodwill "Mobile" Stores at Harrah's and UNLV, coordinating the Back to School Resource Fair, offering Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Events for employees, facilitating donation drives, and substantial donations of merchandise. The estimated financial impact in support of our mission due to Chris' efforts exceeded $100,000 in value. The impact on people's lives is beyond measure.

Chris does not welcome the attention this award brings her, as her reason for helping is not for personal gain, but simply a desire to make a difference in the lives of the people Goodwill has the privilege to serve. We honor Chris as an example of how each of us can positively affect the lives of others.

Career Connections Employer of the Year

(formerly known as Harrah's Entertainment)

Career Connections has been placing people in employment with Caesars Entertainment since our first center opened in 2005. Since then, Career Connections' relationship with Caesars Entertainment, and with the staff at the Employment Center in particular, has grown and truly become a partnership.

The valuable feedback from the Employment Center staff allows Career Connections Team Members to develop a greater understanding of what skills and personalities Caesars Entertainment is seeking to employ. That knowledge allows Career Connections to not only provide Caesars with better candidates for open positions, but to place candidates faster. Together Caesars Entertainment and Career Connections are partnering to put the valley back to work!

And that partnership extends beyond individual candidates, with Employment Center staff participating in multiple Goodwill Job Fairs and in turn, Career Connections Team Members assisting Caesars staff during the enormous hiring event last April at the Rio.

In 2010, Career Connections placed 33 people into positions with Caesars Entertainment. With a family of well-known and respected brands, such as Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Bally's, Bill's Gamblin' Hall, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Rio and Planet Hollywood, 2011 promises to be an exceptional year for job placement for both Caesars Entertainment and Career Connections!

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR)
Counselor of the Year:
Nikki Bredberg

Nikki Bredberg has been working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment for 7 years; first with the State of South Dakota, and since 2007, with the State of Nevada. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Human Services and a Master's Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development.

Nikki initially began working with adults seeking employment out of the North Las Vegas Job Connect Office and has since moved on to serving both adults and transition students at 7 high schools around the Las Vegas Valley. In her job, Nikki most enjoys seeing her clients grow and achieve their goals and working alongside her colleagues at the Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR).

Since joining the BVR Team back in 2007, Nikki has been a strong supporter of Goodwill's Workforce Development Services, regularly referring her clients for work assessments in Goodwill's Community Based Training Program. Her "hands on" and individualized approach to working with the clients she serves makes Nikki a pleasure to work with. She is excellent at communication, always pro-active, and a constant professional. We are honored to recognize Nikki with the BVR Counselor of the Year Award.

Desert Regional Service (DRC) Coordinator of the Year:
Michelle Johnson

Michelle Johnson has been working with individuals with disabilities in a various professional roles for the past 22 years. Originally from Ohio, she began working with the State of Nevada's Desert Regional Center as a Service Coordinator in 2002 and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.

Michelle is responsible for coordinating the services of 47 individuals and their families with the ultimate goal of increased quality of life.

Michelle currently collaborates with Goodwill to receive Follow-Along Job Coaching Services for her clients working competitively in the community. Her favorite part of working with the people she serves is seeing the progress they make throughout the years. She also enjoys working with providers in the community, to whom she refers her clients for services.

Michelle's passion for her job and the individuals she serves is made evident in just one conversation with her. She truly cares about the people she supports and puts forth the time and effort needed to see them thrive. Her excellent communication style, positive and sincere disposition, and creative problem solving skills make her the perfect candidate for Goodwill's DRC Service Coordinator of the Year Award.