UPDATES FROM RYAN
Goodwill Columbus Team,
As we wrap up our 85th anniversary year, I want to take a moment to reflect on a few milestones we’ve achieved together in 2024.
85th Anniversary Recap
The week before Thanksgiving, we celebrated our 85th anniversary with the Good Friends event, bringing together our donors, supporters, and community leaders. The event was a resounding success, highlighting the impact we’ve made over the years and the lives we’ve touched. The evening was a strong reminder of our mission and the community we serve. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success.
2024 Highlights
Work and Community Services Move
With the assistance of 52 truckloads of materials, our team relocated from southeastern Columbus to northern Columbus. Our new facility, located at 6633 Doubletree Ave., now provides an exciting venue to deliver best-in-class services to individuals with developmental and behavioral disabilities and mental illnesses.
Grove City Grand Opening
We celebrated the grand opening of our new Grove City location (4178 Buckeye Parkway), expanding our reach and services. The new facility has already made a positive impact, providing job training and adult day services to the Grove City area.
Bexley and New Albany ADC Grand Openings
The openings of our Bexley (524 Cassady Ave.) and New Albany (5501 New Albany Road W.) Attended Donation Centers (ADCs) are off to strong starts. These new locations have made it easier to donate items, supporting our mission and helping us serve more people.
Extraordinary People Luncheon
Our annual Extraordinary People Luncheon is always a highlight, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to our organization and community. The stories shared at the luncheon were truly inspiring, showcasing the power of our programs and the dedication of our team.
Employee Engagement
- More than half of our employees completed the Vision Surveys, and more than 9 out of 10 employees are proud of our impact in the community.
- Because of your input from the survey, we launched an employer match for the 403(b) savings plan.
- We launched the ICARE Awards program and received more than 70 nominations each month celebrating the ways that our employees live out our values every day! #SeeSomethingSaySomething
- We launched a tenure recognition program honoring years of service and celebrated 166 employees and 100’s of years of contributions and expertise.
- More than 120 leaders completed the newly designed Leading the Goodwill Way leadership program. This program gives leaders the tools to lead and support employees in doing their “best work”.
Holiday Cheer and Thank You!
With the holiday season upon us, I encourage you to shop and donate at our local Goodwill Columbus retail stores. Your support not only helps our mission but also provides affordable shopping options. Let’s spread the holiday cheer and be sure to take advantage of your 50% employee discount.
Finally, as we look back on this exciting year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. Your hard work, passion, and commitment have been the driving force behind our success. Together, we have made a difference in countless lives, and I am excited to see what we will achieve in 2025!
Thank you for being a part of the Goodwill Columbus team. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Here’s to 85 more years of Goodwill Columbus!
Ryan
New Leader Onboarding “Leading the Goodwill Way”
The New Leader Onboarding Training is a permanent component of leadership training, on the last Wednesday of every month.
The training sessions cover:
- Building inclusion and belonging through empathy and effective communication
- Turning conflicts into opportunities for collaboration
- Ensuring equity in the workplace
- Developing talent to help all employees reach their highest potential
December 18 will be the last New Leader Onboarding Training of 2024! With this last group, every director, manager, and supervisor has taken part in the training.
We are extremely grateful for your insight and suggestions to enable us to take the training to deeper levels and make it even more effective for new and seasoned leaders in 2025.
Congratulations and Thank You all for making Leading the Goodwill Way a priority in your daily work and life!
Each month we would like to feature what you are doing to Lead the Goodwill Way. Send your stories, plans, and activities to [email protected].
BENEFITS: Make the most of Sidecar Health
We are excited to offer this new insurance program that offers first dollar coverage for office visits and prescriptions.
Please login to Dayforce to complete the very short training video series so that you can make the most of Sidecar Health.
Additional Resources:
- Sidecar Health/Goodwill Benefits Presentation (video)
- Benefits FAQ 2025 Updated 11/13
- 2025 Benefits Guide (video)
- 2025 Benefit Guide
“DO GOOD” Loyalty Program coming soon! More information to come…
ICARE AWARDS ROUNDUP!
Each month we are celebrating members of the Goodwill Columbus team for their participation in the ICARE Awards. The November “See Something, Say Something” winners nominated multiple coworkers for an ICARE Award!
***Please check your email to claim your gift card!***
NOVEMBER “SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING” $25 GIFT CARD WINNERS
- Don Knoblauch
- Shandra Newton
- Amy Ogden
NOVEMBER ICARE NOMINEES – $25 GIFT CARD WINNERS
The following Goodwill Columbus employees were nominated for ICARE Awards in November!
Robert Young
Gabe Naviello
Katie Muller-Girard
Cayla Broady
Fatu Perry
Mitchell Synder
Mark Syron
Gerald Panday
Victoria Mitchell
Michael Ampadu
Tyler Mannor
William Scott
Check out a few quotes describing some of our November ICARE nominees below!
Collaboration: “Always willing to help other stores in times of need, offering expertise and physical support.” Alex Poole on Reginald Newkirk
Integrity: “She came together to do a special event that was appreciated by all of our individuals, very grateful to have a dedicated employee.” Shandra Newton on Kymiah Linville
Integrity: “Andrew has learned so much over the past 6 months he has shown dedication and determination to become better at his job.” Najaah Amistad on Andrew Swartz
*Monthly trivia has be replaced with the ICARE Awards Program. Participation is quick and easy! Please see the ICARE Awards section below for more information.*
ICARE Awards: Company-Wide Appreciation & Recognition Program
How it works:
- Step 1 – “See Something, Say Something”
- Notice a co-worker demonstrating an ICARE value? Recognize them with an ICARE Award card that highlights their accomplishment and give them an ICARE pin!
- Step 2 – Scan the ICARE Award QR Code for a chance to win prizes!
- By scanning the QR code and logging your nominee’s information, they are eligible to win prizes that will be distributed monthly!
Good Friends/85th Anniversary Celebration
Goodwill Columbus recently celebrated our 85th anniversary at our annual Good Friends event.
Steven C. Preston, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries International – along with 200 other community members and distinguished leaders – joined us at the Columbus Museum of Art to support Goodwill’s mission to help individuals gain a better quality of life through the power of work.
Thank you, Goodwill Columbus, for serving Central Ohio for 85 years!
WELLNESS
CLICK HERE to see the list of Kroger gift card recipients for participating in the Wellworks Wellness program!
***Winners of the Kroger gift cards can begin receiving them starting Monday, 12/16/24.***
There is a new way to access your benefit information! Click here or scan the QR code below to access:
Have you heard about our Employee Referral Program?
Refer a great candidate to our team and earn up to $250! For more information email Shawn McCloud at [email protected].
BEXLEY DONATION CENTER
Goodwill Columbus recently celebrated the grand opening of our newest Donation Center in Bexley, located at 524 North Cassady Avenue!
Be sure to spread the word to your family and friends!
Benefits Bites!
See below for important links from the Goodwill Columbus Benefits team:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT
Prince Garuba – OAGI
Meet Prince! Prince has been the Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries, Inc. (OAGI) for three years.
OAGI works alongside Goodwill Columbus by representing us at the State level, particularly on public policy objectives. OAGI is also housed inside the Goodwill Columbus administrative office!
Prince loves traveling across the state to visit all 15 Goodwills and getting the opportunity to meet program participants, hear their stories, and witness the incredible impact OAGI members have in their communities.
BIRTHDAYS
PROMOTIONS
ANNIVERSARIES
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECENT PROMOTION
Ja’Asia Roberts, Cover Sergeant, Security
Zinnah Warewor, Direct Support Professional III SL, Residential Services
Nicholas Sarracino, Corporal Ld Officer, Security
Samantha Baker, Supervisor, Retail
Lawrence Kelly, Janitorial Support Supervisor, Custodial
Sunita Nubon, Direct Support Professional III SL, Residential Services
Koncho Kangmani, Direct Support Professional II SL, Residential Services
November Harmony Project Roundup!
Goodwill Columbus Security Officer, Martin Englert, is currently training and registered for the 2025 OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon on April 26, 2025!
Best of luck, Martin!
Michelle Saleh, an Officer at 1600 and her husband Charlie Maynard, an Officer at NHC, recently had the honor of catering the Excellence Black Tie Gala at COSI After Dark! Several hundred people were in attendance and their chicken wings and tenders were a huge hit!
Congratulations Michelle and Charlie!
Employee Appreciation Photos
To celebrate 85 years of Goodwill Columbus, we’re asking team members to upload work-related images for a chance to be spotlighted on our social media pages!
GWC Art Studio & Gallery
Visit and shop the Goodwill Columbus Art Studio & Gallery at
50 Robinwood Avenue, Whitehall, Ohio, 43213
Mental Health Resources
988 is a 24/7 number you can call or text if you are experiencing:
-A mental health crisis
-Thoughts of suicide
-Problems with substance use
-Emotional stress
To chat online, visit 988Lifeline.org.
DAYFORCE
Let’s make sure Human Resources has your correct information!
Email [email protected] to let us know you’ve updated your information!
CHRISTMAS EVE
December 24
The Goodwill Columbus administrative offices will be open, however, since the Grange building will be closed, employees will need to do the following:
If someone needs to stop by, you will need to call the team ahead of time, park in the flat lot and come in the Grange back door.
Christmas day
December 25
The Goodwill Columbus administrative offices will be closed on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25).
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
New years day
January 1
The Goodwill Columbus administrative offices will be closed on New Years Day (Jan. 1).