Goodwill prevocational training program outpacing original goals

Rob Doucette was given a second chance at succeeding in the workplace.

Now he has an opportunity to demonstrate his skills working in a fast-paced environment — on the Sodexo dining team at Coe College in Cedar Rapids — and recently has been trained to work in another part of the dining hall.

Katie Weller spent years training and finding what she excels at by receiving experience to prepare her for the work environment.

She now works part time bagging groceries at the Hy-Vee on Edgewood Road in Cedar Rapids.

Both Doucette and Weller completed prevocational training through Goodwill of the Heartland. Goodwill's mission is to advance the social and economic well-being of people who experience barriers to independence.

Through one of its programs, clients receive training with the intent of eventually graduating to employment outside of Goodwill and in the community.

Throughout Goodwill's 19-county area, 451 people were placed in community jobs in 2013. That number rose to 683 in 2014, said Kelly Murphy, Goodwill's employment developer.

Because Goodwill of the Heartland surpassed its placement goal in the final quarter of 2014, it's working to place even more people in employment opportunities in the first quarter of this year.

Goodwill's goal was to place 40 clients in employment opportunities in the final quarter of 2014. Through the end of December, 49 individuals had been placed in jobs.

Goodwill has partnerships now with Hy-Vee, Wehrenberg Theatres, and the Hotel at Kirkwood, among others.

Clients usually are referred to Goodwill of the Heartland's prevocational training by a case manager, Murphy noted.

'It is often the case that the person has little work experience and often needs some continued training in areas such as problem solving, concentration, or task completion,' Murphy wrote in an email. 'We also work with individuals on attendance, compliance safety and mobility. and following directions.'

In Doucette's case, substance-abuse issues in his past led to a rocky work history. For others, including those with disabilities, mental health issues or other limitations, finding work may be difficult.

For employers, supporting and hiring Goodwill clients is a way to create a diverse work force and fill jobs. Employers say Goodwill clients bring enthusiasm and efficiency to their places of work.

Emily Sacora, operation manager at the dining hall, said Doucette is a valuable employee.

'Rob came in, he didn't really need much help at all,' Sacora recalled. 'And then he asked, 'Can I do something else?''

Doucette recently began serving in the dining hall's deli. Sacora said she hasn't had another employee who has come in to start in a new position.

'He's been a big asset to the team,' she said.

Troubleshooting

Prevocational training is funded by Medicaid and 'mainly provides services to individuals on the Intellectual Disability and Habilitation waivers,' Murphy explained.

Even after clients graduate from Goodwill's prevocational training program, they continue to receive guidance to help them remain successful.

In Weller's case, she had a baseball game in the summer she wanted to attend and did not know how to ask for the time off, Murphy said. 'When she had asked for the day off, the schedule had already been done, she had to call co-workers,' Murphy said. Goodwill 'coaches assist with …

helping her learn that piece of the job, 'What do I need to get a day off?''

Coaches also help troubleshoot in different areas and help employers come up with checklists to ensure employees are completing work on time.

Employees are direct hires — their salaries are paid by the employers, Murphy said.

Roxann Martinek, human resource manager at the Hy-Vee on Edgewood Road, said hiring Goodwill clients is beneficial both for the company and the client.

'We're just looking for helpful smiles and those helpful smiles can come from a lot of different places,' Martinek said. 'It's a good thing for us to do in the community, and it helps out our need and gives those individuals some independence that they may not have had previously.'

In addition to receiving referrals, Murphy also seeks out additional potential opportunities for Goodwill clients.

For example, when Goodwill was contacted by Mister Car Wash in Cedar Rapids, a few individuals from Goodwill took a tour and learned more about what employment opportunities there would entail.

After one client completed an internship at the carwash, he was placed on the payroll and became a direct hire.

Murphy said employers benefit from hiring Goodwill's clients because of their 'loyalty and dependability.'

'These are people that are really glad that somebody gave them a chance and want to do their best because somebody is taking a chance on them.'