Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries Statehouse Day a Major Success!

 Ohio Valley Goodwill was delighted to be part of the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries Statehouse Day event on Tuesday, May 1st. Held at the Ohio Statehouse, the day-long event featured face-to-face meetings with elected representatives as well as a formal luncheon and program. There are sixteen Goodwill organizations which comprise the Ohio Association of Goodwill  Industries (OAGI)  group and Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to represent the Southwest part of the state. As a member of the planning committee, Ohio Valley Goodwill joined with its partner  Goodwill organizations  from Columbus, Cleveland-Canton and Dayton to plan the important legislative outreach and education event. With the theme of “Creating Opportunities Together,” the outreach effort was designed to help build awareness of Goodwill as a workforce development resource as well as to build relationships with elected representatives. Follow-up tours will be provided to all legislative guests in their respective home districts.

The formal luncheon was held in the Statehouse Atrium and welcomed a standing-room only host of legislative guests as well as agency representatives from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities as well as Veterans Affairs. Featured speakers included Jeane Samples, Ray O’Neal and Jacob Spellis; all individuals served by  Goodwill  and now successful community employees. The program was co-facilitated by Shari  Cooper and Lance  Detrick, Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, as well as Emily Turner, Executive Director of the OAGI group.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to have Etap Shata in attendance with the Cincinnati team. Ms. Shata currently works at the Kroger Company and was assisted by Ohio Valley Goodwill’s employment services team in obtaining her customer service position. She still receives job coaching support through Goodwill and was a wonderful advocate and ambassador in sharing her story during the day-long event.

Etap Shata, Community Employee and Advocate

The Cincinnati team met with the offices of Representative Keller, Senator Terhar, Senator Uecker, Senator Thomas and Senator Wilson before and following the formal luncheon program. During each face-to-face visit, the Goodwill explained its vital role in the  Greater Cincinnati community as an employment and workforce development resource serving more than 3400 people in 2017 and helping 917 to get jobs in the local area.   Ms. Shata shared her own personal story of employment success during each of the visits and credited Goodwill with helping her achieve her personal goals.

Ohio Valley Goodwill was happy to be a part of the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries Statehouse Day and looks forward to working with its elected representatives on legislative priorities in the future.