PITTSBURGH – April 11, 2024 – Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Goodwill SWPA) has announced that applications are open for its Give Back Program. The Give Back Program is a transformative partnership that provides retail vouchers to help meet the needs of individuals and families across Southwestern Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia. Applications must be submitted by May 15.

Since the program’s launch in July 2021, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania and regional nonprofits in SWPA and West Virginia have worked together to eliminate barriers to opportunities and strengthen their communities. To date, the program has allocated $785,000 to 114 organizations, resulting in a direct benefit to 25,706 individuals. The Give Back program’s goal is to assist participants’ journey toward self-reliance and empowerment.

The Give Back Program connects Goodwill SWPA with other nonprofits, providing their participants with Goodwill retail vouchers to support those in need. These vouchers, redeemable at any Goodwill store within the Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia service territory, can assist individuals and families in accessing a wide range of products from clothing to household items.

“The Give Back Program fosters community support through Goodwill vouchers, enabling recipients to embrace new beginnings,” said Monique McIntosh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania.  “The vouchers can be used for things like outfitting a child for school, dressing for success in job interviews, or creating a new living space after homelessness.  “By offering these vouchers, we bolster our nonprofit partners, enabling them to address the urgent needs of the people they serve. Together, we’re dismantling barriers and fostering a more resilient, interconnected community.”

FOR NONPROFITS: HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Nonprofit organizations interested in partnering with Goodwill through the Give Back Program are encouraged to apply by visiting this link and submitting their application by 5pm on Wednesday, May 15. The selected organizations will then be given Give Back Cards, pre-loaded with $25, to be distributed to individuals and families they serve. Each household can be awarded up to $100 in gift cards that can be redeemed at a Goodwill thrift store in the following nine counties in North Central West Virginia: Barbour, Harrison, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, and Upshur.

Existing partners must submit a new application for the current program year to continue participation and further support their communities. For more information on the Give Back Program and to apply, visit www.goodwillswpa.org/give-back.

ABOUT GOODWILL OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization that operates a network of donation centers and thrift stores to fund vocational rehabilitation and job placement services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania offers life and work skills to help individuals develop the abilities they need to obtain and maintain jobs in the community.

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The new mission statement was created as part of the organization’s most recent strategic planning process and included input from the community and Goodwill Team and Board members.

The mission statement is supported by the eight key values which are the foundation of Goodwill SWPA – Belonging, Community, Excellence, Honesty, Caring, Responsibility, Connection, and Potential.

“Our new mission statement clearly defines our purpose to create positive social and environmental impact and will allow us to focus the efforts and resources of the organization,” said Monique McIntosh, President & CEO.  “It will inform our work as a leader in equitable workforce development and further align Goodwill SWPA’s mission impact work, including services and programs, as well as advocacy and public policy.”

Along with the new mission statement, the organization also rolled out a strategic rebrand of the organization. The focus of the strategic rebrand is to create a more unified message that creates greater awareness of Goodwill SWPA’s human services mission supported by the organization’s thrift stores.

Highlights of the rebrand include a new headline for the organization: “Where there’s a Goodwill, there’s a Way!,” and a new tagline, “Job Training, Life Changing.”

The rebranding messages will be reflected in the organization’s new website, visuals and collaterals throughout the organization, and at Goodwill SWPA’s 34 thrift stores.

To learn more about Goodwill SWPA, visit www.goodwillncwv.org.

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HIRE Category Winners

LaRosa Youth Club – LaRosa Youth Club (LYC) invests their time, treasure, and talent to provide first class enrichment opportunities to the youth of McKeesport, setting them on a successful path to adulthood. As an employer, LYC makes a conscience effort to recruit staff from the surrounding McKeesport community that is well diversified and is representative of their youth club membership. Responding to the McKeesport citizens who have fallen on hard times and are struggling financially, LYC has hired several single parents, providing training and career development while accommodating their work/life balance. The organization has created an environment that is productive and nurturing by enabling staff to bring their children to work and participate in the after-school program while they are working.

Sigal Development Services LLC – Sigal Development Services provides a range of consulting services focused on commercial development with a goal of providing a level of service and quality work product that results in efficient and attentive processes for every project they manage. Owner Jason Sigal of Sigal Development Services has worked with Goodwill staff to create a new paid work experience for an EARN program participant as they successfully transitioned into competitive employment. As the participant worked to secure housing and transportation, Sigal Development Services created a reliable and fluid schedule that consistently met the participant’s needs. When transportation was a major barrier, Sigal Development Services addressed the need by allowing the independence to work from home with employer-supplied technology and paying for Uber transportation to the office as needed. By supporting the participant and steadily increasing their scheduled hours to allow for her increasing responsibilities, Sigal Development Services has committed to providing a work environment that embraces participants with barriers and working with them as they navigate the challenges.

HELP Category Winner

Children and Adults Developmental Agency Programs, Inc. (CADAprograms) — The mission of CADAprograms is to provide meaningful educational, environmental, family sustainability, and food security opportunities to children, adults and families in a safe environment while revitalizing the community. The nonprofit works with the Office for Vocational Rehabilitation to recruit potential staff members and offer a supportive environment for all those with disabilities. All potential staff members with disabilities are given a support person, ongoing training to enhance comprehension, and competitive pay. They provide training and instruction that is repetitive to retain information and skills as needed and competitive pay is offered as well. Upon completing the 90-day program, eligible individuals are brought on as official staff members. CADAprograms is a safe haven for people of all abilities, identities and cultural backgrounds.

The winners of the 2023 Power of Work Awards will be honored at luncheon ceremony on April 21, 2023 at 12:00 pm. at the Sheraton Station Square hotel. Participating in the event, along with Goodwill clients and representatives of the winning organizations, will be honorary chairperson of the 2023 Power of Work Awards Kelly McCormick, Vice President, Global Talent Curation & Community Partnerships, Giant Eagle, Inc, and, and master of ceremonies Bill Flanagan, Special Advisor for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and host of “Our Region’s Business.”

This year’s Power of Work Awards ceremony marks the 26^th anniversary of the recognition program. Goodwill created the Power of Work Awards program in 1997 to acknowledge employers and organizations that make a major, positive impact on the lives of people with barriers to employment by providing employment opportunities and support programs. Over 60 different employers and organizations have won the award throughout its history.

Those interested sponsoring or attending the event can visit www.goodwillncwv.org/powerofwork. Sponsors are also welcome through March 31. For questions about the Power of Work Awards contact Elaine Malcolm at 412-632-1931 or powerofwork@goodwillswpa.org.

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