October, 2019 | Goodwill Industries Suncoast

Goodwill Job Connection Hosting U.S. Census Recruitment Event

More than 3,000 positions available in Hillsborough and Manatee counties

RIVERVIEW, FLA. – Goodwill’s Job Connection Center in Riverview is hosting a series of events to recruit for more than 3,000 positions with the U.S. Census Bureau on Nov. 13, 20, 27 and Dec. 4. The Census Bureau is hiring census takers, supervisors, recruiting assistants, clerks, and office operations staff.

The recruitment events will consist of hour-long sessions for job seekers to gather information and meet with recruiters. Available session times each day are:
11 a.m. – noon
Noon – 1 p.m.
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

The Job Connection Center is inside the Goodwill store at 10739 Big Bend Rd., Riverview. Applicants should sign in at the Job Connection Center. Interviews will be conducted on site. For more information call 813-302-9405.

In addition to hosting recruitment events for local businesses, Job Connection Centers offer free services to help individuals with career exploration and job search.

The Job Connection Center is operated by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-28T10:42:48-04:00October 28th, 2019|

Goodwill Thanks Veterans and Active Duty Military with 25% Off Goodwill Purchases Nov. 8-11

In honor of Veterans Day, Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. has designated Nov. 8-11, 2019, as Veterans and Military Appreciation Days. During that time, veterans and active-duty military personnel will receive a 25% discount on their entire purchases at Goodwill-Suncoast retail stores. They just need to show a valid military or veteran’s ID at the checkout.

“This is a small way of saying “thank you” to Americans who have served our country as part of the Armed Services,” said Goodwill-Suncoast President and CEO Deborah A. Passerini.

For Goodwill-Suncoast store locations, visit https://goodwill-suncoast.org/store-locations/

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-25T13:27:15-04:00October 25th, 2019|

Goodwill Presents $26,360 to Red Cross for Bahamas Relief

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast presented a check for $26,360 to the Red Cross to aid relief efforts for people in the Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Dorian. The check was presented Oct. 22 to the American Red Cross and will be a direct pass-through to the Bahamas Red Cross.

During a special collection in September, shoppers were invited to round up their purchase at Goodwill-Suncoast stores to support Bahamas relief efforts. Thanks to the generosity of the community, donations surpassed the $25,000 goal Goodwill had set for the special collection. Donations from Goodwill’s Round Up program usually go to support the agency’s services to help people get jobs.

Goodwill-Suncoast President and CEO Deborah Passerini presented the check to Red Cross Regional CEO Eric Corliss and Regional Philanthropy Officer Robb Resler at Goodwill’s St. Petersburg headquarters.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including Job Connection centers, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-23T08:30:20-04:00October 22nd, 2019|

Goodwill Job Connection Recruiting Van Drivers at November Events

Railcrew Xpress seeking van drivers

RIVERVIEW, FLA. – Goodwill’s Job Connection Center in Riverview is hosting recruitment events on Nov. 4 & 5, 18 & 19, 25 & 26 to recruit drivers for Railcrew Xpress, which supplies van drivers for the railway industry. The events will be from 10 a.m. – noon each day.

The Job Connection Center is inside the Goodwill store at 10739 Big Bend Rd., Riverview. Applicants should sign in at the Job Connection Center. Interviews will be conducted on site. For more information call 813-302-9405.

In addition to hosting recruitment events for local businesses, Job Connection Centers offer free services to help individuals with career exploration and job search.

The Job Connection Center is operated by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-21T14:28:57-04:00October 21st, 2019|

Goodwill Job Connection Recruiting Caregivers at Nov. 7 Event

Porta Nova Homemaker Companion Services seeking caregivers

RIVERVIEW, FLA. – Goodwill’s Job Connection Center in Riverview is hosting a recruitment event on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to recruit caregivers for Porta Nova Homemaker Companion Services.

The Job Connection Center is inside the Goodwill store at 10739 Big Bend Rd., Riverview. Applicants should sign in at the Job Connection Center. Interviews will be conducted on site. For more information call 813-302-9405.

In addition to hosting recruitment events for local businesses, Job Connection Centers offer free services to help individuals with career exploration and job search.

The Job Connection Center is operated by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-18T13:10:47-04:00October 18th, 2019|

Free Customer Service Training Leading to Nationally Recognized Certification Offered at Goodwill Job Connection Center

Register now for session starting Nov. 18

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – Goodwill’s Job Connection Center in St. Petersburg is offering free customer service training leading to National Retail Federation (NRF) Certification in Retail Customer Service and Sales.

The training will consist of four three-hour sessions teaching soft skills that enhance employability, coupled with a three-day NRF certification training that culminates with completion of NRF Certification, a nationally recognized credential.

The training will take place at the Job Connection Center inside the Goodwill store at 2550 34^th St. N., St. Petersburg, 33713. Classes for the training and certification will take place the following dates:

Session starting Nov. 18
Soft Skills training – Nov. 18, 25, Dec. 2 and 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
NRF Certification — Dec. 3, 4 & 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Participants who complete the training will receive a $50 Goodwill gift card, job placement assistance, and enjoy opportunities for paid internships.

To register, call Goodwill Job Connection at 727-321-7337.

The customer service training is funded by CareerSource Pinellas as part of the Career Pathways partnership between Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, CareerSource Pinellas and PERC (People Empowering & Restoring Communities).

The Job Connection Center is operated by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-29T16:55:33-04:00October 18th, 2019|

Goodwill Job Connection Recruiting Auto Technicians Oct. 30

Valvoline Instant Oil Change seeking entry-level automotive technicians

RIVERVIEW, FLA. – Goodwill’s Job Connection Center in Riverview is hosting a recruitment event on Oct. 30 from noon – 2 p.m. to recruit entry-level automotive technicians for Valvoline Instant Oil Change.

The Job Connection Center is inside the Goodwill store at 10739 Big Bend Rd., Riverview. Applicants should sign in at the Job Connection Center. Interviews will be conducted on site. For more information call 813-302-9405.

In addition to hosting recruitment events for local businesses, Job Connection Centers offer free services to help individuals with career exploration and job search.

The Job Connection Center is operated by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including employment services, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-18T10:57:03-04:00October 18th, 2019|

Goodwill-Suncoast Board Elects New Chair, New Members

A new board chair and three members were elected to the all-volunteer Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. Board of Directors at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting Sept. 27.

The new board chair is Carole Philipson, who joined the board in 2000 when Goodwill-Suncoast merged with the Goodwill in the Lakeland region. She had served on the Lakeland Goodwill board for many years prior to the merger. Phillipson previously held a variety of executive-level positions within the health care administration field including as vice president with both Adventist Health System at Florida Hospital Carrollwood, and Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She now works as a consultant.

New to the Goodwill board is Mike Attinella, chief financial officer and treasurer with the Superior Group of Companies in Seminole, Fla. Prior to joining Superior, Attinella was executive vice president/chief financial officer for HSN (Home Shopping Network) while also serving as the senior vice president/chief accounting officer for parent company HSNi. He serves on a variety of well-respected nonprofit boards in the Tampa Bay area.

Marie Hebbler is returning to the Goodwill Board after a required period off of the board. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Risk Matrix Solutions, a web-based enterprise risk assessment software solution for banks and credit unions. Prior to starting Risk Matrix Solutions, she was chief risk officer for HomeBanc. Hebbler began her board service with Goodwill in 2012.

Also new to the Goodwill board is Tony Martinez, vice president of information security & IT solutions/chief technical officer at MGT Consulting Group. Prior to joining MGT, Martinez served as the director of operations at CyberSequr. He brings an array of knowledge and experience in the area of information security and IT services, including cyber security, security risk assessment and compliance initiatives.

Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including Job Connection centers, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs. For more information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-30T07:42:50-04:00October 9th, 2019|

Synapse Florida and Goodwill Select Winner for Innovative Solutions Challenge Powered by the SunTrust Foundation

Innovation Challenge awards $7,000 cash prize to Christina Dills of Smart Edge Technologies

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 3, 2019— Synapse Florida, in partnership through a grant provided by the SunTrust Foundation, is empowering Florida’s most innovative and talented minds to solve today’s business challenges. In June of 2019, Synapse announced that the SunTrust Foundation would support challenges on behalf of Goodwill Industries-Suncoast and two other organizations.

Goodwill-Suncoast sought a solution for monitoring inventory levels, increasing efficiencies, and streamlining the customer’s and employee’s experience in Goodwill stores. Goodwill-Suncoast provides services in 10 counties, serving nearly 68,000 people last year and placing more than 1,700 people in jobs.

After dozens of submissions by Florida-based innovators, three teams were chosen for the final pitch on the Goodwill challenge: Christina Dills of Smart Edge Technologies, Jeff Toewe of 2 Save Network, and Michael Higgins of Higgins Dynamic Enterprises and Lisa Genco of Envisage.

Coming from across the state of Florida to participate, innovators pitched three unique and effective solutions. The judging was close, as winner Christina Dills of Smart Edge Technologies took home the $7,000 prize money by a mere 1.5 points.

“This really was a close call. All three teams worked incredibly hard to provide solutions that were meaningful and useful to aid Goodwill in bettering its customer and employee experience,” said Brad Steffani, director of retail operations at Goodwill-Suncoast.

Dills created a prototype of an automated inventory control system and automated check-out utilizing RFID deployment technologies. Such a system would allow Goodwill to provide relevant jobs and training in the ever changing environment of modern retail.

“Innovation challenges are a powerful tool to connect innovators with the companies and organizations that can benefit from their problem-solving skills,” said Lauren Prager, Synapse vice president for community engagement. “We are thrilled to activate our talented community to impact Goodwill’s valuable work for the community. Synapse will continue to host these challenges to give the makers, doers and creators a pathway for meaningful connections to our most innovative companies and organizations.”

About Synapse Florida
Synapse Florida is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that connects entrepreneurs, talent, investors, corporations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to accelerate success in Florida’s thriving economies. Based in Tampa, Fla., Synapse helps people find what they need and share what they have. For more information about Synapse, please visit www.synapsefl.com.

About Goodwill Suncoast
Goodwill Suncoast, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work. The organization’s successful donated goods retail operation helps support its human services in 10 counties in West Central Florida including Job Connection centers, training and job placement for people with disabilities, a children’s literacy program, affordable apartment communities for seniors and people with disabilities, and community corrections programs.

About SunTrust Foundation
The SunTrust Foundation is committed to SunTrust Bank’s (NYSE: STI) purpose of Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being by engaging with local and national organizations to advance financial confidence. Grants and activities focus primarily on financial education, financial counseling, career readiness and small business/entrepreneurship, in addition to local community grants. The SunTrust Foundation supports American Red Cross disaster relief efforts and contributes as a United Way Global Corporate Leader. Established in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation has proudly provided grants totaling more than $170 million throughout the United States.

Goodwill-Suncoast2019-10-03T11:54:10-04:00October 3rd, 2019|