Goodwill Honors Businesses, Individuals for Achievements
Organization recognizes clients for steps toward greater independence, businesses for dedication in hiring workers with barriers
Cedar Rapids, IOWA — June 10, 2011 — Goodwill of the Heartland honored eight eastern Iowa residents for steps in overcoming barriers to independence during 2010. Three businesses were recognized for their dedication in hiring workers who face employment barriers.
Business Awards
Nordstrom Direct and Sodexo Campus Services at Coe College, both of Cedar Rapids, and Café del Sol Roasting of Coralville were honored for their contributions to the area by hiring workers who face employment barriers.
Sodexo Campus Services was presented with the 2010 Employer of the Year Award for supporting Goodwill clients who seek to expand their independence. In 2010, the Coe College Dining Services run by Sodexo employed11 Goodwill clients in various roles.
Nordstrom Direct of Cedar Rapids was named as the 2010 Contracts Partner of the Year for its business partnership. Goodwill packaged gift kits for Nordstrom, a project that created up to 15 jobs on a daily basis. In 2010, 92 clients worked to produce more than 99,000 gift kits for Nordstrom while building valuable work skills. The gift kits are available through the Nordstrom e-commerce website and literally travel around the world.
Client Awards
Achievement awards are bestowed upon clients who have demonstrated progress toward goals for overcoming barriers. The recently announced 2010 recipients are:
- Max Emig of Marion for his personal growth and new level of maturity he displays at work. He works on the Goodwill Contracts team on a variety of jobs.
- Harmon Harris of Cedar Rapids for his participation in the Drug Court program, his steps to manage his physical health and his subsequent successful employment in the community.
- Vickie Jones for making life changes allowing her to assume greater personal responsibility and to live more independently.
- Jessica Poock of Cedar Rapids for taking steps to seek healthier choices, improve her work skills and consistency.
- Andy Hooton of Iowa City for his positive attitude, his dependable work ethic and his quest to reach his highest level of independence.
- Melanie Justice of Iowa City for her strides toward increased independence as she uses modern technology and determination to overcome her inability to hear.
- Josh Nelson of Iowa City for taking steps to successfully manage his money and to live more independently.
Alexander Walczyk of Iowa City was named recipient of the 2011 Emily Helms Award. Walczyk, a student at Iowa City’s City High School, is non-verbal and has Cerebral Palsy. However, Alex brightens the lives of others, touching many through his smile, his gentle demeanor and his ability to make others feel good just by being in his presence.
Given in memory of Emily Helms, the great-granddaughter of Edgar J. Helms who founded the first Goodwill Industries in Boston in 1902, the award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding strength of character in coping with or overcoming a significant disability.
About Goodwill of the Heartland
Goodwill of the Heartland provides services to advance the well-being of individuals with barriers to independence. Funded in part by 13 Goodwill Stores in southeastern Iowa and the Quad Cities, Goodwill of the Heartland provides job training, vocational rehabilitation services and work experience. The organization served more than 3,500 individuals and families in 2010. For more information about Goodwill services or for our retail locations, visit goodwillheartland.org or call (319) 337-4158.
