GoodWORKS - Goodwill Southwestern Pennsylvania

10
Where are they now
Former client stays
focused to achieve
her primary goals
Editor’s Note: This is the first in an
occasional series of articles about
individuals who are successfully
moving on with their lives, thanks
in part to help they received from
Goodwill.
Former Goodwill client Asia Jackson
is recognized as a classic example
of how a person with determination,
direction and drive can change her
life. She was invited to speak at
a special meeting of The Greater
Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership on
May 12 as part of a statewide effort
urging Pennsylvania legislators
not to cut funding for nonprofit
organizations. She told the group that
Goodwill’s HEART House program
helped her achieve her goals and
become self sufficient after a difficult
childhood and a number of setbacks
had left her virtually homeless and
destitute.
HEART House is a transitional
program that helps homeless single
mothers find their way to permanent
housing, employment and eventual
self-sufficiency. Ms. Jackson
entered the program in January 2008
determined to make a better life for
herself and her two young sons. While
participating in the program she
took full advantage of the resources
available to help her and earned an
associate degree from the Community
College of Allegheny County.
In December 2009, Ms. Jackson’s
efforts to improve her situation and
achieve stability for her family were
described in an article in the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette. The article was noticed
by the construction company P. J.
Dick which contacted Goodwill and
eventually hired her for a receptionist/
administrative support position.
Asia Jackson related her success story at
the Burns & Scalo Golf for Goodwill event
on June 20.
“The HEART House program
allowed me to focus, set my goals,
and achieve them because of the time
the Goodwill people spent to help
and show me that I had options,“
Ms. Jackson said. “I felt comfortable
with Goodwill, knowing that they
are driven to help because they
genuinely care about the issue they
are addressing. That makes all the
difference in the world to a scared lost
girl. I am grateful for the opportunity!”
Still employed at P. J. Dick, Ms.
Jackson remains focused on achieving
her goals. She plans to continue
her education in the fall at Carlow
University majoring in corporate
communications. She is engaged to
be married next summer and enjoys
spending time with her two sons, who
are now in kindergarten and pre-school.
She also plans to give back to Goodwill
by mentoring women participating in
the HEART House program.
“We are very proud of Asia,”
said HEART House Case Manager
Trudy Friend. “The program worked
for her because she took responsibility
for her future, and what she has
accomplished since leaving the
program clearly shows that she has
the ability and resolve to make good
decisions.” H
Assessments help
people decide on
their career goals
Goodwill provides comprehensive
Vocational Evaluation Services to help
people decide on their career goals and
to identify services or activities needed
to assist them in achieving those goals.
“Although anyone can benefit
from a vocational assessment, we
primarily serve individuals with special
needs or barriers to employment,” said
Jen Hemme, Vocational Evaluation
Supervisor. “Most referrals come through
the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or
from school transition coordinators.”
Assessments vary by individual
and may include interest inventories,
academic or aptitude measures, and
real or simulated work assessments.
Outcomes are reviewed in detail with
participants, and reports are submitted
to referral counselors.
Goodwill’s CARF-accredited
assessment services are conducted
under the guidance of a Certified
Vocational Evaluator. All assessment
staff are certified Global Career
Development Facilitators. In 2010,
586 individuals received assessment
services from Goodwill. H
Spring planting
Taking advantage of a sunny day in May,
Goodwill staff and clients gather to plant
spring flowers for all to enjoy around the
new Workforce Development Center in
Lawrenceville.