Last month my husband and I attended the Discover Goodwill Annual Dinner held at the beautiful Broadmoor Hotel. I look forward to this event each year, where we are able to hear how Discover Goodwill has helped those in our community and meet a few outstanding award winners, from the various Discover Goodwill programs. It is truly a heart-warming evening, where a tissue or two is always good to have on hand.
Along with the award-winner’s stories, the annual financial report is released. And let me just say, I am always so impressed with the financial report, where you can see exactly where the money comes from and even more important, where it goes.
Donated goods that are sold in the retail stores make up a huge chunk of how Discover Goodwill can help those in need in our community, which is why I am more than happy to donate items we no longer need or use. Just think, those jeans or top your child has grown out of can help give someone a hand up, when you simply donate it. (There was a time when I didn’t have the financial resources to help others in need, but donating something that could help others always made me feel like I gave back in some small way.)
Who did I wear to the Annual Dinner? Why, Goodwill of course! (Ann Taylor dress $4.99 from Goodwill with $10 fab belt from Ashley’s Attic, located downtown Colorado Springs.)
Why I Shop & Donate at Discover Goodwill…Meet A Few Inspiring People Who Will Warm Your Heart – 719woman.com
Here are just a few ways Discover Goodwill served our community in 2015
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221 people assisted at home with daily living needs
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1,700 individuals employed with Discover Goodwill
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9,573 people placed in community jobs
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31,132 individuals received training and career services
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76,862 people served in the community
Where did the money go?
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89% went to Programs & Services
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10% went to General & Administrative
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1% went to Fundraising
For me, the highlight of the evening is hearing the stories.
Congratulations to…
*Hope Perez – Helms Legacy Award Honoree
At one point in her life, Hope was rummaging through garbage bins for food, seeking shelter under discarded newspapers and scrounging for spare change to get by. After getting her very first job at Discover Goodwill’s Fresh Start Laundry in 2000, Hope is now site manager for Academy School District 20, has two beautiful girls, and a devoted husband. Congrats to you Hope!
*Jason Bayette – Community Employee Of The Year
At the age of 14, Jason was injured in an accident and spent the next nine weeks on life support with only a slight chance of survival. Jason recovered from his physical injuries but lingering memory lapses and emotional trauma accompanied him into adulthood. Jason was hired at Discover Goodwill’s Fresh Start Laundry in 2004 and even though 20 years ago he was told he’d “never do” the following, he now has and does! Like: graduate from school, live on his own, drive a car, keep a job. Way to go Jason!
*Alayne Kelly – Independence Award Honoree
After escaping a destructive like that included a drug-dependent, chronically absent father and an abusive former stepfather, Alayne found what she thought was her “knight in shining armor.” But instead, he became verbally abusive and controlling, and eventually kicked her and their newborn daughter out of their home. Alayne was enrolled in Discover Goodwill’s Career Development Center and has since been hired as a job developer with Discover Goodwill, where she now helps others facing similar circumstances as hers. Best of all…she is able to fully care for her beautiful 18-month-old daughter. (I used several tissues while Alayne talked! She’s very inspiring.)
*Autavius Ricks – Achiever Of The Year
This young man absolutely broke my heart. First the tears for the horrors of his childhood and then tears of joy for his life now. His smile, as wide and beautiful as any I’ve ever seen, what a testimony to what we can overcome!
At the age of 14, Autavius (Tavis) was found by authorities starved, crippled and near death after years of neglect and abuse by his parents. Tavis and his five sisters were taken in by a compassionate foster family and in 2015 enrolled in Discover Goodwill’s Possibilities program. Tavis has made huge progress on his personal path to independence and now this 21-year-old, wheelchair-bound young man loves bringing smiles to people’s faces daily.
Let me just say, God Bless this foster family who not only took in Tavis, but his five sisters so they could all stay together. And did I mention this foster family already had seven children of their own? Three of the older siblings have become nursing assistants so that they could help with his care. Tavis’ foster parents are also fostering his personal independence by preparing a “bunk Home” where he hopes to live one day…with the assistance of a loving family and Discover Goodwill. God bless this entire family!
To read more of these heart-warming stories, see the financial report, or read of the many community businesses that partner with Discover Goodwill in helping those less fortunate, here’s the report (and it’s easy reading!)
And if you’re interested in taking a tour of any of the life-changing programs for veterans, seniors, youth, and individuals with economic or intellectual challenges:
POSSIBILITIES
First-of-its-kind, 14,000 square-foot community fosters unlimited learning and life skills for individuals with developmental challenges.
VOYAGES
Providing safe, compassionate adult daycare and companionship.
PURSUITS
Job training and career placement support for youth with learning challenges.
FINANCIAL UNIVERSITY
Helping participants create a solid foundation of money-management skills.
Tours are held Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays from 3-4:00 p.m. Contact Jeanne Conder at jconder@discovermygoodwill.org or 719-381-9489 to RSVP.
Learn more about programs, locations, how you can volunteer and more at DiscoverMyGoodwill.org
And remember, your donations help make all this possible. As does the shopping!