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Current News
Goodwill Industries IS Green!
You've heard all the hype of everybody "going green” to save the environment, haven't you? Well, did you know that Goodwill Industries IS Green? And we have been ever since we opened our doors in 1959. Goodwill is one of the world’s largest recyclers. Our recycling process is unique:
- Goodwill accepts donations of clothing, household items, and furniture, keeping these items from going to our landfills.
- The donated articles are then sold in Goodwill stores, giving new life to the donations and giving someone else the opportunity to get the most out of the recycled items.
- Goodwill uses the money earned from the sale of the donations to pay for vocational programs and services for persons with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions in our own neighborhoods.
With a helping hand from Goodwill, special people are finding good jobs right here in Central Florida, becoming self-sufficient taxpayers who contribute to our community’s economy. Although the way we work is simple, it touches the lives of others who might not otherwise have the chance to change their lives.
So, think GREEN! Bring your unwanted items to Goodwill - it’s a great way to recycle and help your environment, and it changes lives, too!
Construction Begun at Goodwill's New Longwood Store
Goodwill Industries announces the start of construction for its brand new Longwood store! Located at 1795 Sunshadow Drive, it will be Goodwill's first free-standing location, and is expected to open sometime this summer. This store will replace Goodwill's current store in Longwood, located at 821 S. Hwy. 17-92, which has currently outgrown its present site. The new store will sport Goodwill's new color scheme, and promises to be bright, cheery, and full of incredible bargains!
Goodwill Prices Stable in Midst of Increasing Prices Elsewhere
As we struggle to cope with gas, grocery and department store prices that are escalating on a daily basis, here's a refreshing fact. Goodwill has not increased prices on its items in over four years. You can still get the same blouse at the same price, and the jacket that you paid $5.99 for in 2004 is still $5.99.
Goodwill Industries exists solely to serve individuals with disabilities and disadvantaging conditions in Central Florida. It is our commitment to offer good items at reasonable prices, and not burden our customers with paying the "extra costs of doing business.” Even though Goodwill's expenses have increased just like everyone else’s, we stand faithful to our customers.
So, come to Goodwill! Bring your donations, and shop in our stores. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the high quality items we offer at reasonable prices, and best of all, you’ll help us help those who need it most.
Goodwill Opens New Program at Orange County Jail
Goodwill is pleased to announce their partnership with Orange County Corrections Department at the 33rd Street Jail. Our organization has opened a Job Connection Center at the facility to provide inmates who are soon to be released vocational services to prepare them for the world of work. Like Goodwill's Self-Sufficiency Job Centers, the GoodWorks Program includes an array of employment related services in a single location. These include an up-to-date computer lab where inmates can compose resumes, cover letters and complete on-line applications for employment. The lab also contains extensive career and labor market information, including career development videos in both English and Spanish. Space has been allocated to conduct and videotape mock interviews, so that participants can critique their performances and improve their interviewing skills.
A Goodwill Job Developer/Job Placement Specialist reviews each inmate's employment history and assist in further refinement of their vocational goals. Inmates with limited work experience may be referred to Goodwill's GOAL program for short-term transitional employment.
Goodwill Job Club Helps Job Seekers
Goodwill Industries currently provides the funding for six Self Sufficiency Job Centers through the sales of donations in its retail stores. The centers are conveniently located in Orange, Brevard, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, and Volusia counties, and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The centers are designed to assist a melting pot of individuals, from the underemployed to the unemployed, find employment. No matter what the individual's circumstances are, Goodwill's Self Sufficiency Job Centers are available at no cost to the participant. The concept revolves around three major components:
Job Club - Is an intensive program that delivers comprehensive interview skills training, job seeking and resume writing assistance. Graduates receive a professional resume and vouchers for interview apparel from local Goodwill stores. For more information, please call your local Goodwill Self Sufficiency Job Center: Orlando (407) 872-0770, Seminole (407) 936-0469, Osceola (407) 847-0696, Brevard (321) 953-8188, Volusia (386) 258-8585, Lake (352) 326-8919.
Networking Center - Will provide you with the latest job leads, and have photocopy and fax equipment available to help you with your search. We also provide a "Hello Line" that substitutes for a home phone number, so even if you have no home telephone you may receive calls from prospective employers.
Community Resources Library - Provides an abundance of information on community services and organizations that can help you resolve issues in your life. We have the resources to help, so call your local job center today!
2008 Goodwill Job Club Workshop Dates:
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Orange County (Orlando): |
Osceola County (Kissimmee):
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Seminole County (Sanford): |
Brevard County (Melbourne): |
| Volusia County (Daytona Beach): June 11 - 13 July 9 - 11 |
Lake County (Leesburg): June 9 - 11 July 14 - 16 |
Goodwill Receives 3-Year CARF Accreditation
Goodwill's CARF Accreditation Survey, which took place October 10-12, was a complete success. The staff worked diligently to prepare all the materials needed for the surveyors to review during the accreditation process. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has been granted the highest award achievable, a full Three-Year Accreditation. The final report is very positive and contains many commendations about our services. Several programs were scrutinized during the intensive three-day process including Goodwill's Employee Development Services, Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Services, Community Employment Services, Employment Services Coordination, and Employment Skills Training Services.
CARF is an independent, not-for-profit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.
In 2004, CARF announced that Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has been accredited for a period of three years for its programs and services. This latest accreditation is the eighth consecutive Three-Year Accreditation outcome that the international accrediting commission has awarded to Goodwill Industries of Central Florida.
