Ohio Valley Goodwill Welcomes Senator Cecil Thomas to Corporate Headquarters!

Senator Cecil Thomas

Ohio Valley Goodwill was pleased to welcome Ohio Senator Cecil Thomas to the organization’s corporate headquarters on Thursday, August 9th for a tour and visit of its employment and training programs. Senator Thomas represents the 9th District which includes a large part of the organization’s service area in the Greater Cincinnati community. Welcomed by President and CEO, Joe Byrum along with Marketing Director, Sharon Hannon, the Senator was provided with an extensive tour of the organization’s programs and services. The Senator had the opportunity to meet with team  members representing  Community Services as well as  Pre-Vocational programs  as well as the supervisor of the Center for Advocacy, Education and Recreation (CARE) program. As a member of the Veterans Affairs committee, Senator Thomas was especially interested in learning more about Goodwill’s extensive services for military veterans and their families.

Pictured are: Joe Byrum, President and CEO, Sharon Hannon, Marketing Director with Senator Cecil Thomas.

Goodwill staff team members throughout the organization provided the Senator with an overview of the organization’s array of programs and services including Community Services, Employment and Training, Job Coaching, Veterans Services, Pre-Vocational opportunities as well as a tour of a variety of work site settings. The Senator commented many times throughout the tour on the extent of Goodwill’s service options and how important they are to the individuals served as well as the larger community.

Senator Thomas serves as Assistant Minority Whip and as Ranking Minority on Judiciary and Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committees. The Senator was very impressed by the scope of services Goodwill provides to individuals with disabilities, our nation’s veterans and others with barriers to employment. Just last year, Ohio Valley Goodwill served more than 3400 people and helped almost 1000 to get jobs in the local community.

Senator Cecil Thomas has an extensive history of service to the people of Greater Cincinnati dating back to the the 1970’s. Senator Thomas was a Cincinnati police officer for 27 years.   The Senator’s resume also includes service as the former President of the Sentinel Police Association, Director of Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, and City Council member before his present position as Ohio Senator. Ohio Valley Goodwill is grateful for the   Senator’s visit and for his long tenure of service to his constituents in the Cincinnati community.