Everything that we do is to
guarantee
that the people we serve are the
most likely to succeed.
- Jerry Davis,
President and CEO
[Table of Contents]
[ Stars of the Class ]
Meet Daniel
Graduate of the Year
As a member of the deaf community, Daniel faced a significant language barrier and struggled with navigating the job market. He turned to Goodwill for help. As a result of training and hard work, he was hired at Randalls as an Overnight Stocker. Daniel’s winning personality and superb customer service was not lost on Randalls leadership. Despite his disability, he quickly rose up the ranks, and after seven months of employment, he was promoted to Dairy Manager. In April 2014, he celebrated his one-year anniversary with the company!
Meet William
Achiever of the Year
William’s path to achievement wasn’t easy. As a young adult, he found himself navigating mounting family and financial problems. William turned to a life of crime: his choices landed him almost 20 years in federal prison. After his release, he was unable to secure work due to his criminal background. Even though he had little hope, he submitted an application to Goodwill. William was elated when he was hired as a Donation Door Attendant – but his desire to excel helped him receive multiple promotions. He is now an Area Manager, overseeing multiple retail stores.
People with
Disabilities
People with
Criminal Backgrounds
Meet Vanessa
1st Goodwill Excel Center Graduate
Vanessa’s journey started when she got pregnant at age 16. With no support, she dropped out of high school to get a job so she could provide for her daughter.
Knowing she needed her GED to get something better, at Texas Workforce Commission she spotted a flyer for Goodwill’s Excel Center. It’s the first school in Texas that offers classes for 19-50 years old to earn a high school diploma. Vanessa signed up and began the tough job of juggling family and an education. Her hard work paid off: she became the first student to graduate from the Goodwill Excel Center.
Meet Ileini
Outstanding Youth of the Year
When Ileini, 20, came to Goodwill she was living in a tent behind a Wal-mart. She went to the Goodwill Community Center and a Team Member offered assistance. Ileini got an internship at a Goodwill Retail Store, but she wanted more. She enrolled in a training program that develops skills and employment opportunities within the hotel industry. When she finished, she interned in the Security Department at the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel – and was offered a full-time job as a Security Guard! Ileini now has safe housing and is on track to a better future.
[ A Class Above ]
Most Likely to
Succeed
When we opened The Goodwill Excel Center in August 2014, we opened the doors to a world of opportunity. 150 students walked in that day and took a step towards their high school diploma.
The Goodwill Excel Center is the first FREE, public charter school for adults up to age 50 in Texas; the average age of our student body is 29 years old. Many of our students are single parents looking to set a strong example for their children. Although they may be looking to make a change for their own families, our students and graduates are helping to reshape the landscape of the Central Texas community by pursuing higher education, obtaining career certifications and finding not just a job, but a career path.
[ Most Likely to
Impress ]
Rubby is an exceptional young lady
and mother. She came to Goodwill
in late 2013 and immediately
started working towards her GED
credential in hopes of creating
a brighter future for her family.
The GED staff members at
Goodwill quickly noted
Rubby’s hard work ethic and
tenacity to succeed, most
notably illustrated when
she completed her GED in
only three months and
was awarded Outstanding
GED Student in January!
Rubby was inspired to
continue her education,
and will be enrolling in
Austin Community College
to pursue her dream of a
career working with animals.
Goodwill Central Texas works to help youth stay in school, return to school, and start a career! Each program participant has unique educational and professional needs, so Goodwill offers a variety of options that will best suit each individual.
GED TUTORING & TESTING In 2014, the GED test was overhauled, creating a sharp decline in completions. GCT continues to have one of the highest passing rates in central texas with the help of flexible classroom hours and one-on-one tutoring.
JOB COACHES Getting your first job can be intimidating. Job Coaches work with the youth participant on-site to help navigate the first few weeks of employment and ensure success.
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS & CAREER EXPLORATION Many youth get paid internships for the summer and get real-world experience. Job Shadow Day gives participants an opportunity to check out potential careers in a real world setting.
JOB READINESS BOOT CAMP How ready are you for a full-time job? Goodwill’s Boot Camp for Youth tests group dynamics, working as a team, and problem-solving situations in addition to résumé writing and interviewing, soft skills, plus one-on-one career counseling.
Thanks to the help of Goodwill, Rachel achieved her
dream of becoming a professional cook after obtaining her Food Handlers and TABC Certification.
Check out her snazzy “Chef Whites”.
Workforce
Advancement
Our goal is to provide a workforce of excellence that meets the expectations of our ever-growing business community. Goodwill bridges the gap between the people we serve who want to work and employers by providing life skills training, job-readiness preparation, hard skills training and personal and career coaching to navigate life challenges. By working to increase their skill set and becoming more employable, individuals are empowered to financially support themselves, care for their families, and contribute to our community.
[We Develop Careers]
Goodwill Career Academy provides marketable career and technical training and certifications in high-demand industries such as health care, construction, technology and administrative, significantly increasing our clients’ earning potential while leading to sustainable careers.
In collaboration with Austin Community College (ACC) and local employers, the Goodwill Career Academy develops training to meet the evolving needs of industry and local businesses.
Administrative Assistant
Certified Apartment Maintenance Tech
Comptia A+ and Network +
Nursing Assistant
Every generous donation is an opportunity to empower people to transform their lives. Donated items are carefully inspected and placed for sale in our retail stores or online at shopaustingoodwill.org. If not sold, goods are sent to our Outlet Center where most merchandise is sold by the pound – another chance to generate life-changing funds!
But what happens to donations that aren’t sold? Goodwill Central Texas is one of the largest recyclers in Central Texas. We meet the growing needs of businesses, government agencies, local organizations, and goods donors to up-cycle and properly recycle items no longer needed.
Just as we are good stewards of our donations, we are good stewards of the earth. Our goal is to be a zero waste organization. In 2014, we diverted almost 29 million pounds from landfills – meaning we’re only 7% away from reaching that goal.
Measuring in at 124,000 square feet, The Goodwill Resource Center is a hub of recycling activity. We work closely with organizations such as Dell, Seton Healthcare Family, and the City of Austin to execute their large scale recycling needs.
Preserving the Central Texas landscape is just one more way we’re working together to strengthen our community.
Dell Reconnect &
Computer Works
In partnership with Dell Reconnect®, Goodwill receives donated computers, electronics and accessories. Our specially trained staff inspects each item and determines whether to reuse or recycle it.
Following Dell’s rigorous personal privacy and security standards to destroy sensitive information (the same strict guidelines used by the U.S. Department of Defense), items are thoroughly tested and refurbished before being sold through Goodwill Computer Works, either in the retail store or shopaustingoodwill.org.
When electronics can’t be resold, they are recycled. Our integrated electronic recycling diverts more than 285 tons of electronic waste from landfills each month.
[IT ALL COUNTS]
Grand Opening
at 10th Street!
Our first downtown
location!
We're Live!
Launch of our new website.
2013 GED Graduation
Ceremony
Graduates from all of
2013 get to walk!
Going even greener!
Ribbon-cutting for solar panels installed
at the Goodwill Community Center & the
Goodwill Resource Center in partership
with Meridian Solar.
Austin Marathon
Clothes Pick up!
Goodwill volunteers pick up clothing
donations from racers on the course.
Celebration Event
Celebrating all of the generous donors
and volunteers of 2013.
Advocacy day in DC!
Clients are our Ambassadors! Three days speaking on behalf of Goodwill, sighting big time politicos, and checking out our Nation’s Capitol.
Sorry to see you go…
Retirement party for long-time Goodwill employees Cathy Rudzinski, former CFO, and Christine Banks, former VP of Environmental Business Services.
Hosting Delegate Assembly
Showing Goodwill representatives from across the nation how we do it in Austin, Texas.
First Day of School
The Goodwill Excel Center opens their doors to
150 students.
Texas Smart-on-Crime Coalition (TSCC) Founded
Created in part by Goodwill Central Texas, TSCC members have united to pursue cost-effective prison reform that enhance public safety, promote safe rehabilitation, and save taxpayer dollars.
Clothes Stories!
Friends of the Real Goodwill enjoy exclusive film screening of “Clothes Stories,” and panel by local artist Johnny Walker at the iconic KLRU studio featuring stories shared through Goodwill clothing donations.
2014 Hall of Honor
Honoring three clients and a business partner that exemplify our mission of generating lifelong connections to work!
Servant Leadership in Action
Goodwill Leadership is thankful for their team -- and prove it by serving at the annual Thanksgiving Lunch.
(From left) Jamie Lagarde, Jon Eddison, Yvonne Suttles, Michael Lustina, Sam Bakir, Erica Saenz, Anne Morgan, Ted Delisi, Cindy Goldsberry, Mark Finger
(Not pictured) Francine Breckenridge, Paula Campbell, Michael De La Fuente, Les Gage, Carl Hansen, Yvonne VanDyke
Tracy Lintz
Former Chief Financial Officer
We appreciate your time
and hard work in 2014!
[ Classy-Officers ]
Leadership Team
President & CEO
“Without innovation, we cannot affect this monumental workforce change in our community. Innovation necessitates collaboration – together, we’ll make our vision a reality for thousands of Central Texans.”
Gerald
Davis
Chief Operating
Officer
“As we answer to the needs of employers, we increase the amount of local job opportunities for the people we serve. That brings us closer to realizing our vision every day.”
Mark
Hiemstra
Chief Financial
Officer
“We are stewards of the generosity of our community. We’re entrusted with receiving donations from the community, and responsibly dispersing those funds. Ensuring that we keep overhead low, results high, and donor intent intact—that’s integrity.”
Robin
Tusa
Senior VP
Community Engagement
& Education
“Providing our students and clients a second chance, means that their children have a first chance. Work and education are vital to strengthening families.”
Traci
Berry
Senior VP
Strategic Workforce
Planning
“It’s respectful cooperation, from employees to shoppers to clients and everyone in between, that drives success. ”
Matthew
Do
VP IT &
Performance Excellence
“We dedicate ourselves to strengthening processes, perfecting systems, and very deliberately improving ourselves as an organization every day, ultimately resulting in empowering more people through work.”
Zachary
Haines
VP Donated Goods
& Retail
“Superior service in our retail stores and donation ,centers creates loyal shoppers and donors. That sustained revenue enables Goodwill to empower every client wanting to make a change.”
Frank
Holland
VP Property Services &
Contract Administration
“We are always innovative in our construction and facility operations. We make choices that create spaces that are environmentally friendly and self-sustaining, incorporating solar power, xeriscaping, and zero waste initiatives into our modeling.”