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Jitt Sepulveda was born and raised in the Philippines. In December 2004, he decided to join his wife in America and moved halfway around the world to a country he had only heard about. The move was daunting. Jitt knew very little about the English language and he wasn’t qualified to work in the United States. For nearly a year and a half, he depended on his wife for everything. Finally in 2006, the U.S. Government granted Jitt permanent residency, allowing him to seek employment.
Immediately, Jitt looked to his local Goodwill Career Center for help. The Career Center’s staff worked with Jitt matching local job opportunities with his own skills and interests. Within one week, Jitt had an interview with
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| a local company. “I never expected that I would get the job because I have no idea what it’s really like to live here in the U.S.” Through the communication skills he’s developing as a result of gaining competitive employment, Jitt is learning more about the American way. Each day his English improves and his confi dence grows. |
“The career center staff has
been awesome. They have
screened applications for us
and given us a rundown and
recommendation on each person.
We are extremely pleased.”
Dish Network
Human Resources Representative |
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Services for Individuals:
Goodwill’s Career Center provides FREE assistance to anyone seeking employment. Services include complimentary resume preparation, job leads, and referrals. Computers, faxes, and phones are free of charge allowing individuals to connect with employers. Goodwill funds its career centers by selling your gently used donations in its retail store.
Use the center to:
- Prepare an effective resume with guidance from staff
- Use computers and online job banks to search for jobs
- Fax & email applications and resumes
- Conduct business focused research using the resource library
- Make copies
- Use phone to call employers
- Connect with staff to provide job referrals and job leads
The result is that anyone, no matter their age, economic status, educational background, or place of residency can visit Goodwill’s Career Centers and receive supportive employment services. Once employed, these individuals contribute positively to their respective communities, easing unemployment and poverty.
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Services for Employers:
Goodwill’s Career Center also offers employers modern, first-class facilities conducive to all types of business gatherings. Our qualified, professional staff will work with you to plan and schedule events. They’ll even assist with employee recruitment. Best of all, you save because facilities and services are free!
Utilize the Center for:
- Meetings
- Training
- Orientations
- Interviews
- Recruitment Fairs
- Conference Calls
We Provide:
- Conference Rooms
- Classrooms
- Overhead projectors
- Staff assistance
- Telephones
- Fax Machines
Utilize the Staff To:
- Publicize Positions
- Pre-Screen Applicants
- Refer Candidates
- Distribute Applications
- Arrange Interviews
- Arrange Recruitment Fairs
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Take a Tour:
Our staff would be glad to give you a tour of our facilities and discuss your employment needs. Please call us to schedule an appointment.
Career Center Locations
Albany , Georgia
2015 N. Slappey Blvd.
Albany , GA 31701
(229) 317-0970
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Auburn/Opelika, Alabama
3740 Pepperell Pky
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 275-4815
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Columbus, Georgia
2600 Cross Country Dr.
Columbus, GA 31906
(706) 324-4366
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Newnan , Georgia
228 Bullsboro Dr.
Newnan , GA 30263
(678) 423-3562 |
Valdosta , Georgia
1000 N. St. Augustine Rd.
Valdosta , GA 31601
(229) 253-0763 |
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Darrell Marshall never envisioned that he would ever feel helpless. He had a good job, a car and his health, but in one day, he lost it all. “I ran a stop sign when my breaks failed and hit a tree head on,” Darrell recalled. The accident crushed one of Darrell’s legs so severely doctors had to reconstruct it with pins and a rod. They told him he would never be the same. “My doctor said I wouldn’t be able to do construction work anymore,” said Darrell. In debt and with nothing to fill the void, Darrell was referred to Goodwill’s Work Adjustment Training Program. “I was thinking…this isn’t going to work,” he said, “How could Goodwill benefi t me?” But it did. “It gave me something to do everyday,” Darrell added. It also helped pay the bills. As a participant in the program, Darrell was paid for the hours he worked.
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| More importantly, the training program inspired Darrell to have faith in the one thing he needed to believe in most, himself. “I didn’t have a car or transportation to work so I had to ride my bicycle,” he said. The exercise rehabilitated Darrell’s leg and made him realize his injury was not a hindrance. Confident and proud, Darrell expressed immense appreciation for the help he received, “I think it’s a miracle that Goodwill exists.” |
As a result of the Work Adjustment
Training Program, Darrell also
completed Goodwill’s Custodial
Training Program. He found two jobs
and with his savings was able to buy a
car. He hopes to one day buy a modest
home. Two bedrooms and two baths he
said would suit him just fine. |
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Ben & Jerry’s Student Scoopers 
Goodwill owns and operates the Ben & Jerry's ice cream PartnerShop in Columbus, GA. Proceeds benefit Goodwill's Student Scoopers training program. The course teaches teens about leadership, customer service, conflict resolution, and more. Teens also work in the shop, applying lessons learned in the classroom. Career Centers   
A facility open to the public where anyone can walk in and receive assistance with resumes, applications, and interviewing. Individuals can also utilize the computer lab, telephones, and faxes, free of charge, to search for jobs and contact employers. Goodwill’s staff will also provide job leads as necessary. Jobs range from entry level to highly professional. Employers can use the career center for meetings and recruitment fairs free of charge. Complimentary services include application distribution, pre-screening, interview scheduling, and more.
Custodial Training Program
A 5 week commercial cleaning training program certified by Spartan Chemical Company’s Clean Check Certification Series. Through hands on experience and classroom instruction, participants receive 5 certifications in blood-borne pathogens, restroom cleaning, office cleaning, carpet cleaning, and hard floor care. Classes on topics such as leadership, time management, and money management are also taught.
Job Coaching
A service whereby job coaches work one on one with an individual showing them how to perform a particular task. The client is then guided to perform the job alone, allowing them to become self-sufficient. Job coaching can be provided as a stand alone service at the client’s place of employment or in conjunction with any of Goodwill’s job training programs.
Retail Training Program
A 3 week training program designed for individuals interested in the retail industry. Studies emphasize quality customer service and team building. Participants also receive hands on and classroom instruction on operating a cash register, pricing, and stocking.
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Summer Enrichment
An 8 week work experience program for teens. Participants work alongside Goodwill employees developing essential work behaviors. Case managers and job coaches guide the individuals to ensure progress. Classes incorporating such topics as money management, job interviewing, future career and education planning, and health management are also taught. Participants are referred through Vocational Rehabilitation.
Supported Employment
Supported employment is similar to job coaching, but is for an extended amount of time. For up to 18 months, a job coach will visit a client’s place of employment to provide on the spot support and guidance. The goal is for the client to retain employment and become self-sufficient.
Work Adjustment
Up to a 6 month program where individuals work alongside Goodwill employees to develop essential work behaviors. Case managers and job coaches guide individuals to ensure progress and work to eliminate employment barriers such as lack of transportation or childcare. Clients also receive assistance with interviewing skills, resume preparation, job searching, and more.
Work Evaluation
A 10 day program where an individual’s skills and work behaviors are evaluated to determine employability. Oral and written assessments are completed in conjunction with hands on work. Upon completion, clients are referred to other Goodwill services or other agencies.
Work Experience
A program for individuals 19-21 years of age that have been classified by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as having special needs. Special needs could include physical, cognitive, and/or medical impairments. Once enrolled, Goodwill will find an employer willing to provide the individual with up to 320 hours of work experience. This introduces the individual to the work environment and a particular job of interest. Employers benefit from having an additional person on staff, whose wage is paid through WIA. In many instances, work experience leads to full-time employment, but is not guaranteed.*
* Funded by the City of Columbus, Georgia WIA Job Training Division and the Lower Chattahoochee Workforce Investment Board. We are an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids, and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.
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Jacinda Johnson had fi nally settled into her apartment, decorated and had everything just the way she liked it. Pictures of family and friends adorned her bedroom walls; her work clothes hung neatly in the closet. Then in a flash, her life changed.
Just one spark and a neighbor’s call to 911 is all it took. In a matter of minutes, fl ames stemming from the apartment next door erupted through the roof. Police offi cers and fire trucks quickly fi lled the street. Jacinda was unaware her apartment was in peril until she returned from work and found fi re hose lines scattered across the street. When it was over, she discovered much of what she owned had been |
| destroyed either by fi re or water damage. “I didn’t know how I was going to replace these items because it took me so long to purchase them in the beginning,” she said. Through Goodwill’s partnership with the local Red Cross, Jacinda received vouchers redeemable at Goodwill stores. “I purchased bedroom furniture, a mattress and box spring, pots and pans, dishes and towels,” she said. “I don’t think words could ever say thank you enough.” |
Through Goodwill’s partnership
with the local Red Cross, Jacinda
received vouchers redeemable at
Goodwill stores. |
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Each year Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers distributes up to $50,000 worth of vouchers across its 50 county region in Georgia and East Alabama. Community agencies and organizations whose mission addresses social and economic crises as well as natural disasters, as first responders, distribute the vouchers on behalf of Goodwill.
Goodwill Partners:
Partners qualified to distribute Goodwill vouchers can include, but are not limited to: |
- School counselors
- The Red Cross and other community agencies
- Department of Family and Children’s Services
- Religious service providers
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How the Vouchers Work:
The vouchers are: |
- Similar to gift certificates
- Can be redeemed at any store operated by Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers Inc.
- Can be used to purchase anything: clothing, housewares, furniture
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The Result:
Individuals and families are provided access to a cost effective means of replacing destroyed items or items that are needed, but not easily affordable through traditional retail outlets.
How do I get a Voucher?
Vouchers are only available through agencies or organizations that have established a partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers.
For More Information:
Contact Kathy Carlisle
Director, Mission Advancement and Development
(706) 256-1829
kcarlisle@gwisr.org
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