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Tag: disability
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Employer Inclusion Accelerator Program
Goodwill is launching a brand new program that provides support and coaching to employers who would like to hire people with disabilities and are not sure how to get started and how to ensure success.
This program supports employers with:
Goodwill provides: hiring, retention, onboarding and coaching support for Employers. If an employer is interested in contributing to their community, contact Goodwill, as we can get you started! The process is easy!
- It all begins with an initial assessment to determine your goals with regard to hiring individuals with disabilities.
- Your Employer Coach will work with you to develop a customized plan including:
- Job posting
- Advertising
- Interviews
- Selection
- Onboarding
- Orientation
- Ongoing Coaching
- All of this is provided at no cost to employers!
(Note: ineligible organizations are recruitment businesses or other organizations hired and paid for by an employer, federal or territorial governments, federal crown corporations and agencies)
How the Employer Inclusion program works Workshops
For all FREE video workshops to assist employers, be sure to keep an eye on monthly tutorials.
To view them at a later date please visit our Employer Inclusion Workshop page.Contact Us Today!
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Celebrating 40 years at Goodwill
A Feel Good Moment
The Mayor of Goodwill
Edmonton, AB (August 10, 2021) – Known as the Mayor of Goodwill, Andre Molik began his journey at Goodwill as an apprentice in 1979. Two years later in 1981, he officially became an employee. On Wednesday August 11, 2021, Andre, will celebrate 40 years with an organization that has given him an opportunity through the power of work.
To see Andre’s story please visit:
Born with cerebral palsy and a learning disability, Andre has succeeded and has made a tremendous impact at Goodwill within the Goodwill @ Work and Commercial Services division.
“I love what this company does for people with disabilities,” says Andre.
“I love it, I don’t want to leave. It’s just an amazing place to work for!”
To view coverage of Andre on Global News Edmonton please visit:
Starting out on the Goodwill assembly lines, putting together bingo cards, fixing bicycles and other various workshop related activities, Andre has elevated his craftmanship to support Goodwill’s Cleaning Cloths and Telus Netco wires at Commercial Services.
There is no quit in Andre and he looks forward to celebrating 40 MORE years at Goodwill.
Good luck Andre and congratulations!
Since 1963, Goodwill has become one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in Alberta. Approximately 30% of the workforce has a disability. This is a commitment to enhancing people’s lives through meaningful employment.
For more on Commercial Services please visit:
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Goodwill & The Mustard Seed
Press Release & Media Availability
Goodwill Industries of Alberta and The Mustard Seed
Edmonton AB (June 3, 2021) – Volunteer placements have been in a holding pattern since the COVID-19 outbreak in March of last year. This left many people without a place to contribute back to their community. This was even more evident at Goodwill’s Career Connection program.
With the assistance of many wonderful organizations and the launch of Goodwill’s Volunteer Hub, volunteer placements have steadily increased, providing purpose and training for those with disabilities. This Volunteer Hub has become a training ground for those with barriers who wish to enter the workforce.
Today, in partnership with The Mustard Seed, the organizations are announcing a new initiative: The Providing Aid Cooperatively Project. The PAC project looks to get basic supplies into the hands of vulnerable community members who require these items immediately. These supply packages consist of a variety of items depending on seasonal needs and campaigns within The Mustard Seed. Examples include Hygiene Packs, Wellness Kits, Summer Safety Kits, and more! For more visit: https://theseed.ca/pac
Jocelyn Lapointe, Mustard Seed Thrift Store Supervisor is proud and excited to spread the good in our community with Goodwill.
“We share a lot of the same passions including employment, sustainable shopping and support of Edmonton’s most vulnerable. Through this partnership we will collaborate, grow, and serve the communities we serve while employing people with a variety of barriers”.
With the help of Goodwill, volunteers and individuals with disabilities at the Career Connection program will individually package these items, so they are safe and they are ready for distribution for The Mustard Seed patrons.
The partnership between the organizations highlights how two non-for-profits can provide for their mission, while working together to support the greater good of the community.
You can see more on the PAC project by visiting The Mustard Seed and Goodwill Industries of Alberta.
Media Contact
Doug Roxburgh Liz Stephenson Goodwill Industries of Alberta The Mustard Seed Manager of Brand Integrity Lead Communications Coordinator 780-944-1414 780-999-6878 droxburgh@goodwill.ab.ca lizstephenson@theseed.ca —-
About Goodwill Industries of Alberta: Creating positive change since 1963, Goodwill’s mission is to provide Albertans with disabilities the opportunity to enhance their lives through meaningful employment. Goodwill Alberta is one of the largest employers of Albertans with disabilities; with 30% of Goodwill employees having a self-disclosed disability. We provide employment opportunities in our thrift stores and an accommodating work environment for Albertans with disabilities in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Grand Prairie and Calgary. Our Edmonton based Career Connections program has been providing employment coaching, job search, and training to individuals with developmental disabilities for decades. The success of Goodwill’s retail operations revolves around the generosity of people in our community choosing to donate to Goodwill and shop at our thrift stores. Every year over one million Albertans shop at Goodwill, and more than 700,000 Albertans donate to Goodwill; 89.2% of all revenues go back into our mission and remains in Alberta. We are also a major recycler of a growing range of donated items; we recycle more than 16 million kg every year. We are a donor-driven charitable society and we have been proudly serving Albertans for nearly 60 years.
About The Mustard Seed: The Mustard Seed is a Christian non-profit organization that has been caring for men, women, and children experiencing poverty and homelessness since 1984. The Mustard Seed provides a safe haven where we support the whole person through delivering basic services, housing, wellness services, employment programs, and partners with the community to address the root causes of poverty.
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The Goodwill Volunteer Hub
Volunteer placements are in a holding pattern or they’ve been outright cancelled since the pandemic began last year. This left many people within our Career Connections division without a place to contribute back to the community.
Goodwill’s Job Development Team took this challenge head-on and created “The Goodwill Volunteer Hub.”
This Volunteer Hub is based out of Goodwill’s Career Connections training facility on Whyte Ave. in Edmonton.
Here, individuals with disabilities assemble and create different ‘kits’ to help spread the GOOD vibes throughout our region.
It began with creating kits for disadvantaged people in the community (in partnership with the United Way). Different groups benefit from these kits and the packages range from:
- A children’s literacy kit
- A senior’s activity kit
- A pencil case kit
- A Thank You card to frontline workers
Other assembled kits include:
- Share the GOOD packages to stimulate local business
Albertans’ with disabilities assemble all items, creating dignity and joy through the power of work!
Assembly options are endless as this hub is a platform for volunteerism and community engagement.
We welcome this community engagement because of the challenges before us. As a result, when faced with CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES abound!
To help create more volunteer opportunities for these individuals, please contact us at:
marketing@goodwill.ab.ca -
Throw ‘n’ Go Calgary
What happens to the clothing and textiles brought to the City of Calgary Throw ‘n’ Go?
Clothing and textiles are donated, reused or recycled depending on their condition. Any reusable clothing is sent for resale to retailers internationally. If the item isn’t reusable, it will be recycled instead. Textile recyclers turn old clothing, shoes, linens and fabrics into new products. Materials are sorted, cleaned and can be turned into wiping rags or shredded down for upholstery stuffing or fiber recycling.
All dropped-off clothing and textiles are organized by Goodwill Alberta.
Please note that Goodwill does not offer textile recycling bins at any other locations in Calgary. However, you can take clothing and shoes to a Goodwill store for donation and recycling as well.
Is there a list of recyclable clothing, shoes and textiles?
Yes. The City of Calgary Throw ‘N’ Go bins accept a variety of textiles including:
- Clothing (shirts, dresses, pants, underwear, sweaters)
- Outerwear (e.g. coats and jackets)
- Shoes and footwear (sandals, sneakers, runners, dress shoes, heels)
- Purses, backpacks, wallets, and belts
- Household linens (e.g. bedding, towels, curtains, pillows, tea towels, duvets and blankets)
- Reusable shopping bags (e.g. cloth grocery store bags, Lululemon bags)
- Burlap bags (coffee or rice)
- Underwear, bras and hosiery
- Accessories like hats, mittens and scarves
- Cleaning cloths, rags, and scrap fabric (ensure cleaning fabrics are laundered first)
- Carry-on sized luggage, suitcases and duffel bags (these bags must fit in textile bin otherwise please take to a Goodwill thrift store or donation centre.
How do I prepare clothes for recycling?
- Even if the material is ripped or damaged, make sure that all clothing and fabrics are clean before bringing in for recycling.
- Place items inside a bag before dropping off at the City of Calgary landfill Throw ’n’ Go. This helps keeps the clothing dry and makes it easier to collect.
- If you bring other garbage in your load, landfill charges will apply.
For more information please visit the City of Calgary.
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Alberta Business Awards of Distinction
The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses/organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and contribution to their community while having developed business acumen & management practices to ensure long term sustainability.
The stakes were very high and the competition was fierce in each of the 13 categories. All 269 of this year’s submissions exemplified business excellence.
Goodwill Industries of Alberta is proud to be nominated for this year’s Diversity Award of Distinction.
The Diversity Award of Distinction recognizes an inclusive business/ organization which demonstrates best practices in recognizing and appreciating diversity so that employees, clients, customers and others are respected and valued as unique individuals. Inclusion is the act of creating a work environment of hiring and staff development practices in which all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued, and able to fully participate in the organization’s mission and business performance.
The winner’s of the awards will be announced in a live (virtual) presentation on Friday, October 9th.
To date, over 300 companies have been named Alberta Business Award of Distinction recipients. There are currently 13 diverse award categories, with an additional Alberta’s Best of Business Award.
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DEAM
Goodwill Industries of Alberta has first handily seen the impact of inclusive employment, the power of a job and the dignity of a job on the lives of Albertans with disabilities. Our Career Connections Team, supports people with disabilities in locating employment or volunteer opportunities in their communities. Individuals are assisted with identifying their employment goals, employment preparation, job search and employment coaching.
As one of Alberta’s largest employers of people with disabilities, Goodwill is proud to be a supporter of DEAM and its month-long activities throughout Alberta. Taking place each October nationally and provincially, Disability Employment Awareness Month or simply known as DEAM, is a campaign and event that works to promote inclusion within the job market for people with disabilities. DEAM raises awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities while celebrating the impact and contributions of these workers.
There are many opportunities to participate and celebrate DEAM! Due to COVID restrictions, many events listed below are being offered virtually – and anyone can attend. Check out the opportunities in your area:
Calgary
Friday October 2nd: Calgary DEAM Kickoff/Proclamation – Online Option Available (info to be posted on website)
Tuesday October 6th: DEAM Calgary Employer and Self Advocate Panel @ Prairie Dog Brewery 2:00-3:00 pm – LIVE Stream link found here
Tuesday October 13th: MentorAbility Industry Information Session, Careers in Animal Care 1:00 – 2:00pm – Link available here
Edmonton
Thursday October 1st: Edmonton “Bringing DEAM together during COVID-19” virtual kick off – LIVE Stream found here
Tuesday October 13th: MentorAbility Industry Information Session, Careers in Animal Care 1:00 – 2:00pm
Tuesday October 20th: DEAM Business Champions Network Panel discussion 1:00 -2:15 pm
Tuesday October 27th: Mentorability virtual session 9-10 am, Celebrating DEAM and National Mentoring Day
For more information on Calgary’s DEAM Celebrations, please visit: http://www.calgaryemploymentfirst.ca/deam/
For more information on Edmonton’s DEAM Celebrations, please visit: https://pdconnection.org/disability-employment-awareness-month-deam/
