STO R I E S O F H O P E & T R A N S F O R M AT I O N W I N T E R 2 02 3
ELLEN ARNOLD
2023 Henna Award Recipient Page 5
Together we raised $228,000 at A Good Night for Goodwill to ensure another year of emergency support services through the Bridge Fund.
Pictured: Shami Mulacek and Jobby John
CONTENTS 2 A Good Night for Goodwill SHINES
Sponsors and friends joined our annual celebration on September 29th
4 Our 2023 Hall of Honor Recipients Good people who exemplify the Goodwill mission
9 Thank You to our Generous Sponsors! 10 Bridge Fund Impact
Your philanthropy bridges the gap by providing emergency support for students and clients
12 65 Years of Goodwill Central Texas
Huge thanks to Higginbotham, Texas Mutual and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for designating Goodwill Central Texas as the beneficiary of their recent UT tailgate event. Pictured left to right: Tony Thrower (BCBSTX), Jim Ziolkowski (Texas Mutual), Curtis Page (Higginbotham), with Evan Sherbine, Zach Hammond and George Psifidis (BCBSTX)
To donate, visit goodwillcentraltexas.org/giving/ or scan code:
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2023 HONOREES
◊ Ellen Arnold Henna Award for Good
◊ Monay Metcalf Achiever of the Year
◊ David Beale
Team Member of the Year
◊ Alyssa Garza
Student of the Year
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Our honorees are extraordinary people who exemplify Goodwill's mission. These stories of empowerment and transformation inspire all of us and give us hope for the future—for every individual in Central Texas to have a path to success!
Henna Award for Good “It’s a game changer, helping people to live better lives. Breaking the cycle of undereducation, unemployment and inability to maintain jobs— and giving people the skills they need, not only to be confident, but hopeful about their future.” - Ellen Arnold
Henna Award for Good Honoree As the government affairs consultant for Goodwill Central Texas, Ellen Arnold ignites enthusiasm and hope. Legislators who actively try to address workforce challenges are surprised and impressed by the range and depth of Goodwill’s programs. Goodwill, Ellen finds, “is an answer to their prayers.” “When I started advocating for Goodwill, job number one was to educate policymakers about what Goodwill does—to show people getting educated, preparing resumes, getting and holding onto jobs.” Ellen played an instrumental role in advancing legislation that paved the way for The Goodwill Excel Center—the first-ever free public charter high school for adults. Because of Ellen, Goodwill now operates two Excel community campuses in Austin, and four justice education
campuses within correctional facilities, which has graduated over 1,800 students. “Everything Goodwill does cannot be done on our own. It takes the entire community, especially good people like Ellen who are not just great connectors, but fierce advocates,” said Jennifer Carter, Goodwill’s Chief Mission Officer. Ellen feels a deep personal connection to the people Goodwill serves, “When you attend a graduation, it’s a feeling of such joy. I always invest 100% in the work of my clients and I’m always proud.”
“Ellen has been behind significant legislative initiatives that have opened up education for adults and put Excel on the map.” - Rob Neville
President & CEO Goodwill Central Texas
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Monay Metcalf Achiever of the Year
“Goodwill has done amazing things for me. I have so many people in my corner. That has been the amazing journey of Goodwill.” - Monay Metcalf When Monay arrived in Austin two years ago, she brought her three children with her, but little else. She had found the strength to leave a relationship behind but lacked self-confidence and struggled financially. Her life turned around when she met with Goodwill Career Case Manager Nessa Riley to seek career support. Given Monay’s interest in healthcare, Nessa steered her towards phlebotomy as a stepping stone toward work in the nursing sector. “Monay came to me as a single parent, without transportation, working a full-time job, balancing bills to pay rent. But she made the most of Goodwill training and classes available to her.
Monay was thrilled to start her new job upon graduation.
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Now all the doors she wants to step through to advance in the medical field are there.” Not only did Monay complete the phlebotomy class certification through Goodwill, she secured a job just two days after graduation at one of the largest medical groups in Central Texas. “It changed my life tremendously,” Monay said. “Goodwill taught me to never give up on my dreams. My children see their mom doing something much better in life than I was before. They see whatever their mom can do, they can do too.”
Monay (center) with two of her three children.
Watch Monay’s story: bit.ly/Monay-Metcalf
David Beale
Team Member of the Year “I was needing that big piece of the puzzle that Goodwill gave me.” - David Beale
David, like so many others, came to Goodwill determined to get his life on track. He was eager to find work after struggling with alcoholism and homelessness. “I was needing that big piece of the puzzle that Goodwill gave me, where other places wouldn’t open their doors because of my past. I came to Goodwill, and literally the next day, they said, ‘You’re hired.’ They made it convenient for me at a time when I really needed to go to work somewhere for my self-esteem,” says David. “I feel a sense of camaraderie and support on this team.” David’s positive spirit and determined work ethic set him apart. “David was ready to jump in and already had his eyes on the
prize,” says his store manager, Amy Todd. “Working gave him a reason to stay sober and do it happily. He always has a great attitude. He’s our all-star.”
Goodwill provided David with transportation assistance, counseling, and a job. He’s done the rest and recently bought a car. “I’d like to thank everybody who supports Goodwill because it’s definitely changed my life and given me a purpose.”
David with his fellow team members at the Brodie store.
Watch David’s story: bit.ly/David-Beale 7
Alyssa Garza Student of the Year
“The turning point for me was just going back to school. The fact that these people are here supporting us in our education goals, it just really means a lot.” - Alyssa Garza Alyssa Garza’s nickname, ‘Sunshine,’ suits her. She feels called to lead others out of darkness. Recently, Alyssa and her sister Rebekkah graduated from the Goodwill Excel Center with their high school diplomas. She encouraged her younger sister to join her in completing their degrees, and their dual success is part of her joy. Alyssa dropped out of school at fourteen to get a job and help support her family. She worked hard, had two children, and realized future career options were slim without a degree. “You’re grown all of a sudden, and you say you didn’t finish high school, and people look at you like you’re nothing,” Alyssa says, recalling her time before Goodwill.
teacher and career readiness coach, “she decided to take every certification we offer.” As a single mom, Alyssa credits Goodwill with providing vital childcare support at the Exploration Early Learning Center. “Without childcare on campus, a lot of fathers and mothers like me and my sister wouldn’t be able to do this,” says Alyssa. “Excel is there for people who have faced hardships in their life. It gives everyone a second chance at life. A fighting chance.”
As a student at the Goodwill Excel Center, Alyssa took advantage of every program and opportunity. “Alyssa was a student who not only took three or four classes,” says Hamadouche Beticha, her 8
Watch Alyssa’s story: bit.ly/Alyssa-Garza
thank you TO OUR GENEROUS EVENT SPONSORS! UNDERWRITERS
LEADERSHIP
Margaret & Mat Moten Kristin & Tony Ruff
SUPPORTER
Cara & Mike Clifford Cushman & Wakefield Mara & Phil Fouts Mojdeh Gharbi & Max Hoberman Elizabeth & Gary Gunter Marsh McLennan Agency Rotary Club of Austin University Area Sunrise Technologies Texas Capital Bank
FRIEND
Cheryl Koury Catherine Savage Smarter Benefits Solutions
BENEFACTOR
Bank of America Bracewell LLP Ferguson Facilities Supply Mohan Kharbanda Corky Logue Diane Ring
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2023
2 bicycles for transportation to work
IMPACT *as of 11/3/2023
The Bridge Fund ensures stability and peace of mind when students and clients face unexpected expenses. These emergency funds provide basic needs to keep students and clients in school, training programs, and jobs. Your vital contributions ensure holistic support for everyone we serve. Thanks to you, those in need will keep moving forward on their journey to success!
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20 car payments
17 students received class supplies
37 families supported with groceries
1 AC unit was provided for an RV home
3 families received storage unit rental support
82 households received rental support
8 car repairs
42 households received utility support
3 people received work tools and equipment
10 people received clothes and shoes for interviews
1 family received medical bill support
Additionally, a refrigerator, stipends while attending school, a background check fee for a new job, and car insurance support were also provided. 11
CE L E B R AT IN G
YEARS OF
Since we opened our doors in 1958, Goodwill Central Texas has become a multi-dimensional non-profit focused on education, career training, job growth, and the environment. Our expansive network of programs covers: ◊ Job Placement: Free career and job placement services in many fields based on an individual’s unique needs—available across our community. ◊ Employee Support: Career coaches help Goodwill employees achieve their prosperity goals for career, education, housing, and more.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Goodwill Central Texas. It has been our privilege to serve those in the Central Texas region facing barriers to employment. Looking back on our shared history together, not only are we as devoted to Austin as the day we first fell in love with it, but we can say with confidence that our core principles have never wavered as we have remained steadfast in our commitment and belief that education and work are the only true pathways out of poverty. 12
◊ Career Training: Career and vocational training, certifications for in-demand careers, career advancement, leadership development, and more. ◊ Adult High School: The Excel Center welcomes adults ages 18 to 50 to earn their high school diploma and complete training for career certification. ◊ Early Childhood Learning: The Exploration Center provides high-quality early childhood education programs for the children of our clients, students, and community.
Today, Goodwill Central Texas is proud to empower thousands of people every year, helping them find a fulfilling career, improve the lives of their families, and contribute to the community. We hold steadfast in our belief that every person should live life to their full potential, and the fastest way to achieve this is through education and the power of work. All of this work is thanks to generous donors like you.
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Here’s to 65 more years of Goodwill! 13
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