Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to learn that Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Employment and Job Coaching Services team received the 2021 Ohio Success Award in the category of ” Best Nonprofit Response” in regards to its handling of COVID-19. Ohio Business Magazine www.ohiobusinessmag.com/ohio-success-awards/ presents the Ohio Success Awards which honors the most successful and consistent organizations and leaders across the state. The magazine noted that ” this year, we have created a unique opportunity for organizations to share the stories of their employees’ exemplary courage and company’s response to the crisis.” In the case of Ohio Valley Goodwill, the organization chose to focus its attention on its Employment and Job Coaching team members who demonstrated outstanding dedication to the individuals they serve.
Ohio Success Awards 2021 Logo
In March 2020, when mandatory business closures took effect, more than 150 people whom the organization’s Employment team had successfully placed in community employment were either laid off or jobs were eliminated. Historically, Ohio Valley Goodwill helps an average of 3000 people annually and assists almost 1000 to get jobs. The abrupt sudden loss of these jobs was devastating to the placed individuals as well as to Goodwill’s team of Job Coaches; who provide the supports needed once individuals are placed into employment. Without warning, these team members very quickly had to provide a “virtual” system of supports to keep individuals engaged and to work with employers to either re-instate the individuals once the mandates were relaxed or to create new positions. For the next three months, Goodwill’s Job Coaches worked diligently to help more than 125 to return to their work situations and/or obtain new employment. All 150 individuals continue to receive support services through Goodwill.
As a result of the unplanned impact of COVID-19 on the job market and the employment of the individuals placed by the organization, Ohio Valley Goodwill’s team had to completely re-focus their efforts on case management intervention and support, outreach to employers and working collaboratively to modify job responsibilities as deemed appropriate as well as providing safety training for individuals as required by their position responsibilities. The Goodwill team provided intensive support to help individuals impacted.
It was this remarkable effort on the part of the Job Coaching team as part of the Employment Services offered through Ohio Valley Goodwill that merited the recognition of the 2021 Ohio Success Award. The organization congratulates our Job Coaching and Employment Services team members and is grateful for their on-going dedication and commitment to the individuals whom the organization serves. For more information about Goodwill’s award-winning Employment and Job Coaching services, please visit www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/services.