L to R Mick Fusco, Grants Manager, OVGI, Brooke Hill, Legislative Liaison for Senator Sherrod Brown and Doug Babcock, Senior Legislative Assistant for Senator Brown. Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to welcome Doug Babcock, Senior Legislative Assistant and Brooke Hill, Legislative Liaison, for Senator Sherrod Brown to the organization’s corporate headquarters in the village of Woodlawn on Wednesday, August 11th. Mick Fusco, Grants Manager for the Veterans programs through Goodwill, provided the tour for the legislative staffers. The representatives were provided an overview of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s programs and services for homeless veterans as well as the organization’s history of success of working with individuals to attain self-sufficiency.
L to R: Neal Hutchinson, HVRP team member, David Hayes, HVRP team member, Mick Fusco, Grants Mgr, Brooke Hill, Legislative Liaison and Doug Babcock, Senior Legislative Asst. for Senator Brown. The guests finished their guided tour in the organization’s transitional dormitory which can house 24 individuals on a temporary basis as they work towards obtaining permanant housing and employment in the community. Veterans specialists Neal Hutchinson and David Hayes were on hand to help explain the supports and expectations of the Dorm setting. Annually, Ohio Valley Goodwill serves approximately 400 military veterans who are currently struggling with homelessness. Goodwill works in partnership with the Veterans Administration to help individuals to re-establish their lives in the community. The organization provides services to veterans in a variety of locations including Northern Kentucky. “Goodwill has been providing services to veterans since 1993,” explained Fusco, “and the program depends largely on grant funding. In these tough economic times, it makes it even more important for legislators to know what Goodwill does for veterans and our track record of success,” added Fusco. Mr. Babcock noted that it is very educational for legislators to understand programs like Goodwill’s so that funding can be maintained for these vital services. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful to Senator Sherrod Brown and his representatives for their on-going support of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s programs and services for our military heroes, our nation’s veterans.