December 06, 2018
Speaker: Rick Cantz, Goodwill of Northern New England
December 06, 2018
Buckets on the Table: Midcoast Recovery Coalition
Speaker: Rick Cantz, Goodwill of Northern New England
Rick is the COO of Goodwill of Northern NE and a former Rotarian of the Portland club. Goodwill started in 1903 in Boston by a Methodist minister, where he collected goods from rich and gave to the needy, after a year or so, he decided to repair and sell, offer jobs in stores. Northern NE includes Maine, New Hampshire and northern Vermont. There are 160 independent stores across the country, each with a board of directors. There are 30 retail stores in this territory, as well as 2 warehouses (each have attached stores called ‘Buy the Pound’, filled with things that don’t sell). It is an industrial environment and with very competitive bidding. Goodwill recycles 100% of cloth materials. The goal of the stores is to generate revenue and create job opportunities. They hire individuals that need support and employ 900 people.
There are two programs supported by Goodwill, in Maine, Healthcare and Workforce Development.
Healthcare: There are two outpatient brain injury programs. 1000 people per year participate in these programs that include occupational and physical therapy, rehabilitation and pain management. There are 25 long term residences. There exists an emerging need in assistive technology for adult children taking care of aging parents. Technology is becoming a big part of this assistance and helps people stay safe in their homes longer. And of course, these programs need funding.
Workforce: These programs help people get jobs, the support is broad and diverse: Goodwill runs career centers where 32,000 people assisted last year, Take 2: youth out of high but not received diplomas. These programs help youth to complete high school, receive building certificates in a trade and help place into them into jobs. Goodwill runs the Americore program where people are taught English as a second language and provides plans for employment or secondary education.
There is a service model, Job Connection: this is where we need to do more, look at the whole person’s life, resumes, support people and help those who do not qualify for support. Goodwill is partnering with organizations to further assistance to people in need, providing career advisors and counseling.
The Ask of Goodwill: Spread the message about what they are doing, they are a well governed and well managed organization.
Committee Reports:
Annual Election Ballot: President Elect – Ken Gardiner
Secretary – George Abendroth
Treasurer – Kristen Lindquist
Vice President – Mark Coursey
Sergeant at Arms – Lemon Scott and Barbara Heard
The vote passed unanimously.
Barbara: Holiday Party is December 13, Paul and Marty’s house
Rubin: This is our break-even day for Christmas trees, still have some open shifts!
Community: no meeting next week
Frozen 5K (check email) ALS donations