Goodwill of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas |
Success Stories
Helen J. Stewart School
Student Work Experience
School of the Year
Goodwill of Southern Nevada's Student Work Experience Program started in 1997, with the goal of providing pre-vocational retail training opportunities to students with disabilities throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Students are given the opportunity to gain experience in a realistic work environment needed to understand what it means to have a job.
Helen J. Stewart was the first school to participate in this program 13 years ago. Currently, 13 students and 5 teachers from two work experience classes participate in the program. Over the course of the year, these students improved their work skills and gained knowledge of what it means to have a job.
Helen J. Stewart students and their dedicated teachers come into Goodwill's Tropicana Store every Monday and Tuesday ready to make a difference and ready to work. Goodwill Team Members at the Tropicana Store look forward to seeing these dedicated and eager students take on tasks such as stocking, sorting, pulling, and straightening merchandise. Their efforts do not go unnoticed. After an hour of hard work, they leave the store looking better and brighter.
MATTHEW BUNDRA
Achiever of the Year
Matthew's love of books and his understanding of how to organize books according to subject matter proved to be the key to his growth at the store. Goodwill provided Matthew with the environment he needed to gain additional job skills, as well as the mentoring and monitoring required to interact with his coworkers and customers. Book sales increased during the time Matthew was a trainee at the Cheyenne store! Based on his success, Matthew was recommended for Job Placement. Goodwill's Job Developer, Julia Thomas, worked with Matthew through the process of applying for jobs. The effort was rewarded when Matthew was hired to work part-time at the Borders Book Store on North Rainbow in September 2009 as a sales assistant. Matthew completed his first 90 days of successful employment in December 2009.
JIM BRUNSON
Retail Community Based Training
Client of the Year
Jim was referred by his counselor Joan Rachmel to participate in Goodwill's Retail Training Program. He was initially dubious that he would be able to fit into a retail environment. His goal was to return to work as a heavy equipment operator and he lacked confidence to interact with customers and coworkers. However, the Retail Training Program opened his eyes to other possibilities and Jim learned that he could be positive when working with other people and that he had to ability to remain calm in dealing with unexpected situations.
Jim was successful in completing his Retail Training Assessment at the Goodwill Cheyenne Superstore in February 2009 and was recommended for Job Placement. Jim was given the opportunity to join Trinity Security as a security guard and was promoted to Supervisor in June 2009. Recently, Jim accepted a position with Rebel Truck Stop and loves his new job. Jim has moved out of the Salvation Army facility and is grateful to Salvation Army, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Goodwill for stabilizing his life.
NATASHA CHUIDIAN
Shining Star of the Year Award
When she arrived for her first day of training at Goodwill's Sahara Superstore, Natasha came in very eager to work and was enthusiastic about helping customers in any way she could. Natasha worked with her trainer to improve her organization and sorting skills, and gained more independence while learning how to stock items and bag merchandise for customers. Through her hard work and willingness to learn from her mistakes during retail training, Natasha gained valuable experience and training that she used in her job at Smiths as a part-time Courtesy Clerk.
Natasha's greatest reward has been her higher sense of independence. The chance to earn her own money is certainly one of her main highlights of having a job. She is now looking forward to her next job!
DON MORGAN
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
Job Placement Client of the Year
While part of Goodwill's Retail Training Program, Don demonstrated a great work ethic and a desire to constantly improve his job skills. Don was recommended for job placement and referred to Goodwill's Job Developer, Julia Thomas. She helped Don with resume development, interview techniques and etiquette. Because of his retail experience at Goodwill, Don was hired as a part time employee at Savers Thrift Store. Don's positive attitude and desire to constantly improve were recognized by his supervisors immediately and Don's work status was changed from part time to full time employment. Don is always eager to help the other employees and takes on any job available at the store. He is known as a team player. Don's achievements leave little doubt that he will continue to achieve success in the future.
ALLAN PHILBROOK
Desert Regional Center
Client of the Year
As a Crew Person at McDonald's, Allan is responsible for collecting trays from customers who have finished their meals, washing trays using the 3 step-method, emptying the trash, re-filling supplies, sweeping, and Allan's favorite job responsibility, providing excellent customer service to restaurant patrons. Allan enjoys the contact he has with customers from all over the world and can be counted on to smile and ask how they are enjoying their vacations. One guest from Scotland was so impressed by Allan that he sent gifts when he returned home from his Las Vegas vacation. Allan consistently receives good reviews in all areas of his evaluation.
Before coming to Goodwill, Allan had a long history of successful employment, first working in a Closed Workshop at Morgan Memorial Goodwill in Boston for 10 years, then after moving to Las Vegas, working as an equipment tester at Opportunity Village for 7 years. Back in Boston, Allan enjoyed his participation in Special Olympics hockey, track and field, and his favorite, basketball. In Las Vegas, Allan has become involved with the Best Buddies Program.
CHARLES VAN BUREN
Gung Ho Award
On August 27th 2001, while standing at a bus shelter around 4:30am on his way to work, a drunk driver plowed into the bus shelter, injuring Charles and another woman. When Charles woke up at UMC in the Critical Care Unit, his doctor told Charles he most likely would never walk again. He had many surgeries and skin grafts over the months following the accident due to burns. Charles was finally able to return to Goodwill on January 7, 2002 with both feet bandaged and in a wheelchair.
Despite all he's gone through, Charles is one of the most positive, kind, caring and upbeat team members at Goodwill. He walks quite well, although he will never run for exercise again. Charles said he keeps going because "I have a love for life, an appreciation in life and feel that life is a blessing and you can't waste a minute. You have to be thankful for what you have and where you are."
ARDES JOHNSON
Career Connections
Power of Work Award
Given a deadline of 2 months to find permanent employment and an apartment, Ardes went to Goodwill's Career Connections for help. Working with his employment specialist, Ardes was placed into an on-the-job training program at Goodwill's processing center in October 2009. A month later, he was awarded custody of Sierra.
Ardes loves his job at Goodwill and is tearful every time he speaks of his daughter, who will turn six on February 25th. In January, Ardes successfully completed his on-the-job training and was officially hired as a dock hander at Goodwill. In addition to being a father and a model employee, Ardes also volunteers his time at a homeless shelter teaching 12-step programs.
DENNY'S
Employer of the Year
In 2009, the relationship has grown stronger. Career Connections hosted four job fairs for Denny's and dozens of our clients are now proud Denny's employees. Denny's was also one of ten businesses who participated in the Career Connections Job Fair to celebrate the opening of the new Tropicana Center in December. Denny's staff interviewed potential hires on site.
Denny's is the most recognized name in family dining providing good food and service for more than 50 years. Denny's has the number one distinction for late-night crowds with an emphasis on appetizers and desserts.
JILL GODIN
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
Counselor of the Year
Jill currently holds a caseload of 88 adult clients with disabilities and is responsible for assisting them with obtaining and maintaining employment in the community. As a citizen with a disability, Jill is a living testimony to not only her clients but to all of us.
Over the past year, Jill has referred 36 clients to Goodwill's Community Based Training Program. She is very pleased with being able to see her client's transition from the assessment programs to competitive employment. She enjoys working with all of her clients and finds it very important to provide a supportive atmosphere to assist them in reaching all of their employment goals. Jill takes on a very positive and personal approach when working with all of her clients and is easily able to connect with them. She is a very proactive, dependable, professional, and supportive counselor, making her a pleasure for all Goodwill Team Members to work with.
MARY SMRTIC
Desert Regional Center
Service Coordinator of the Year
Mary collaborates with Goodwill to have Follow-Along Job Coaching Services provided to her clients working competitively in the community. Her excellent communication skills, follow-through, and passion for her clients have kept this relationship strong and effective. Mary enjoys the interactions that she has with her clients and providers in the community. She serves as Co-Chair for the SEEK (Searching Education, Employment, and Knowledge) Work Group. SEEK's mission is to "Provide people and the community with education and information on employment options to enhance their career paths." Job Fairs are held every month with providers present carrying out this initiative.
Mary is in constant communication with Goodwill's Job Coaches and Program Coordinators to discuss client progression and the support they need to improve and grow. She has even personally advocated for some of her clients to be hired into Goodwill positions, one of which received the 2009 Achiever of the Year Award due to his outstanding work at the Goodwill Sahara Superstore.
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