1893 - 2017 Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc. Volume 34, Number 3
Fall 2017
YRRS Dedicates Studios to the Youngstown Lions Club
The Youngstown Radio Reading Service (YRRS) — a private,
non-profit station that serves the print and visually impaired —
recently named their studios The Youngstown Lions Digital Re-
cording Studio in recognition of the longtime support from
Youngstown Lions Club.
In 2016, the Youngstown Lions Club provided YRRS with a
$5,000 donation to begin the digital transition process. A $6,500
donation in 2017 has recently allowed the YRRS to complete the
transition from analog to digital. “The Lions Club has been in-
volved in sight saving since 1925 when Helen Keller spoke in
Sandusky, Ohio and challenged the Lions to be ‘knights of the
blind’ and we have been supporting this worthwhile service
while working towards that mission,” says Roger Guglucello,
Youngstown Lions Club member and Goodwill board member.
Prior to the transition, the studios were using analog recordings
such as cassettes and cd burners. “Everything is completely com-
puterized now,” says Mike Bosela, YRRS coordinator. “If not for
the Youngstown Lions, we couldn't have done it. YRRS has been
around for over 41 years and the Youngstown Lions Club has
been there right from the beginning,” says Bosela.
On October 1, YRRS expanded their broadcast schedule to
seven days a week, 24 hours a day. That same day also marked
the 25th anniversary of when the YRRS studios opened at
Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries. YRRS began in 1976
with approximately 10 volunteers as part of the Youngstown
Society for the Blind. When the Youngstown Society for the
Blind closed in 1992, YRRS moved their operations to the Good-
will facility on Belmont Avenue.
Print materials, which are otherwise not accessible to its listen-
ers, are read by YRRS volunteers and broadcast at specific times
throughout the day. Programming includes in-depth coverage of
local newspapers, readings from magazines and best-selling
books presented in series. Talk shows and special interest pro-
grams encourage listeners to share experiences, exchange views
and gain knowledge. Specially tuned radios are provided free of
Stambaugh Auditorium
Live Auction of New Items Goodwill Collectible Jewelry Sale Silent Auction of Fine Jewelry & Collectibles
Vintage Clothing Sale Basket Raffle, 50/50 Raffle, Chinese Auction Hors D’oeuvres, Pastries and Cash Bar
Pictured are (from left) Rick Deak, second vice president of Youngstown Lions Club; Mike Metzinger, president of Youngstown Lions Club; Mike Bosela,
coordinator of Youngstown Radio Reading Service; Jim Freeze, executive
director of Goodwill and Cheri Metzinger, third vice president of Youngstown Lions Club.
charge to qualified listeners.
With their new studio name and digital equipment, YRRS is
looking towards the future. “Maybe down the line we will look
at the possibility of streaming,” adds Bosela. The current priori-
ty for YRRS is to find someone to help cover the cost of the
216 radios they recently received. “The state paid 90% of the
cost of the receivers and we are looking for other local Lions
Club organizations or donors to make up the 10% match, which
is approximately $1,000,” says Bosela. “The purchase of those
216 receivers will last us at least five years and allow us to
reach more community members who need them.”
If you are interested in donating or volunteering with YRRS,
or know of someone who may qualify for one of their radios,
please contact the YRRS at 330.759.0100.
Goodwill Receives $7,500 Grant from Chemical Bank Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries recently received a
$7,500 grant from Chemical Bank to support Goodwill’s shel-
tered employment program. Goodwill’s sheltered employment
program currently provides employment to 46 individuals with
disabilities who have the support of a program manager and the
opportunity to attend classes at Goodwill.
“Chemical Bank is committed to giving back to the communities
we serve. With this donation, we know that Youngstown Area
Goodwill Industries will provide individuals with disabilities
meaningful work opportunities,” says Kyowa Pegues, CRA mar-
ket manager of Chemical Bank. “By investing in this great or-
ganization we are improving lives and strengthening families.”
The funds will allow Goodwill to continue to employ individuals
with disabilities that impact work productivity in areas of quali-
ty, quantity and behaviors. More opportunities to participate in
living skills classes such as budgeting, cooking, computer use,
drivers permit and classes in job seeking skills and World of
Work will be provided.
“We’re so grateful for community partners like Chemical Bank
who fund outstanding programs in our community,” says Jim
Freeze, executive director of Goodwill. “Without their support and
the support of everyone in the community who donates items or
shops in our Goodwill stores, we could not continue to employ
people in our community with disabilities.”
Representatives from Chemical Bank present a check for $7,500 to Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries. The grant will help support Goodwill’s Sheltered
Employment Program. Pictured (from L. to R.) are Kyowa Pegues, CRA market
manager at Chemical Bank; Jim Freeze, executive director of Goodwill; Annette Brown, banking center officer at Chemical Bank; and Michael Schrock, regional
manager, HRBP of Chemical Bank.
Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries
Earns Three-Year CARF Accreditation
CARF International announced that Youngstown Area Good-
will Industries has been accredited for a period of three years for
its comprehensive vocational evaluation services programs. The
latest accreditation is the 16th consecutive Three-Year Accredita-
tion that the international accrediting body, CARF, has given to
Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries.
This accreditation decision represents the highest level of ac-
creditation that can be giv- en to an organization and
shows the organization’s substantial conformance
to the CARF standards. An organization re-
ceiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put
itself through a rigorous peer review process. It
has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on
-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that
are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
About CARF
CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mis-
sion is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of
services through a consultative accreditation process and continu-
ous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of
the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Ac-
creditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF
International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused
standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality
of their programs and services. For more information about the
accreditation process, please visit the CARF website
at www.carf.org.
Al Slabe, retired as Goodwill’s operations director on September 29 after more than 35 years of employment with Youngstown Area Goodwill Indus-
tries. Slabe was hired at Goodwill on March 1, 1982 as the woodcraft pro-
ject supervisor, holding various other positions before eventually become the operations director in 1988. Over the years, Slabe has been responsible for
all contract services including laundry, janitorial and sub-contracting for
various industry, building maintenance, contributed goods and the overall production of the facility, as well as much more. Most importantly, he has
been a mentor, friend and champion for those who have come through
Goodwill’s programs. He will be missed; however, we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.
Happy Retirement, Al Slabe!
Employees Celebrated at Luncheon
On Wednesday, June 7, Goodwill held
its annual employee recognition day
luncheon. The event is a way for Good-
will to recognize and honor employees
who have displayed exceptional perfor-
mance in 2016. Additionally, it is also an
opportunity to celebrate all of Goodwill’s
achievements of the past year and thank
the employees of Goodwill for their con-
tribution.
The recognition luncheon was held in
Goodwill’s cafeteria and was sponsored
by The Junior Group of Goodwill — a
group of volunteer women who raise
funds, volunteer at Goodwill events and
serve as ambassadors for Goodwill in the
community — using funds they raised
through the annual Junior Group of
Goodwill Auction and various jewelry
sales.
The following people were recognized
for their hard work, accomplishments and
for overcoming obstacles: Jacqui Ed-
wards, Tom Tregaskes, Rodney Shelton,
Donna Sprankle, Lionel Byrd, Larry
Clark, Art Emerson, Susan Leonard,
Corinthea Lamarque, Michelle Tiller,
Kathy Treese, Stacie Clark. Congratula-
tions to all of the award recipients!
Donors: Thanks for Believing in the Power of Work
Benefactors – $1,000+
PNC Foundation
The Hine Memorial Fund of The
Youngstown Foundation - In Support
of the Amblyopia Program
Sustainers – $500+
The Frances Schermer Charitable Trust -
In Support of YRRS
The Youngstown Foundation - In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Bob & Linda Sebo - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Patrons – $250+
Anthony & Judy Cebriak - In Support of
the Amblyopia Program
A.C. Dellovade - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
City Machine Technologies, Inc. - In
Memory of Joanie Kovach & In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Elyn Summers
VEC, Inc. - In Sponsorship of YRRS
Supporters – $100+
Becker Funeral Home - In Sponsorship
of YRRS
Don Crago
Eye Care Associates - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Barbara Huberty - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Joe & Olga Malmisur - In Memory of
Dr. Earnest Perry
Sokolov Family - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Contributors – $50+
D. Joseph & Maryellen Fleming - In
Support of YRRS
Patella Carpet & Tile - In Sponsorship
of YRRS
Jane Pintar
Mark Zeidenstein - In Honor of Mike
McBride
Friends – Up to $50
Aggie Campanale - In Memory of
Melissa Giancola & In Support of
YRRS
Brownstone Construction - In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Denny Czopur
Chester Feret
Great Garage Doors - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Don E. McKenzie
Mary Manuszak
Jackie Mayer - In Memory of Esther
Fisher & In Sponsorship of YRRS
Dorothy Meyer - In Memory of Harry
“Dutch” Meyer & In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Fred Michael - In Memory of Marge
Perlitz & In Sponsorship of YRRS
Jeffrey Necko - In Support of YRRS
Vince & Mary Ellen Pellegrini - In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Cynthia Reardon - In Honor of Mike
McBride & In Sponsorship of YRRS
Sandy’s Auto Body - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
Jude Signoriello - In Memory of Walter
Morosko & In Sponsorship of YRRS
Deloran Thompson - In Celebration of
Haley & Jane Luckage & In
Sponsorship of YRRS
Robert Webber - In Sponsorship of
YRRS
*donations received as of September 29, 2017
Autumn Brown, who works in Goodwill’s laundry department, shows off her diploma at her graduation ceremony. Several years ago, in an article that was featured in the Goodwill newsletter, Autumn dis-cussed her dream of becoming a nurse while juggl-ing school and work at Goodwill. As of last May, Autumn is now a step closer to realizing that dream after graduating from Eastern Gateway Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies. She plans to take two more classes at East-ern Gateway Community College before transferring to Youngstown State University to continue her edu-cation with a goal of studying nursing.
(Photo courtesy of Autumn Brown)
Heather Yeager, Austintown store manager, gives her employee, Rodney Shelton, a congratulatory
hug on his way up to receive an exceptional per-
formance award during the annual employee recognition awards luncheon at Goodwill. Shelton
has been a janitor at the Austintown store since
completing Goodwill’s job training program in 2013.
2747 Belmont Avenue
Youngstown, Ohio 44505-1864
Address Service Requested
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Youngstown, Ohio
Permit No. 738
Consider Goodwill for Your Year-End Contribution Whether you are looking for a tax deduction or just simply looking to help out a charitable organization, Goodwill hopes you will remember them when contemplating where to make your year-end giving donation. Monetary donations to Goodwill helps fund programs that provide job training and employment services to people with disabilities or other barriers to em-ployment, such as welfare dependency, lack of education, lack of work experience, etc. In addition to these programs Goodwill also provides Radio Reading services, Amblyopia screening and other social services. Through it’s services, Goodwill helps people become independent, tax-paying members of the community. Contributions can be made by credit card at www.goodwillyoungstown.org or a check can be sent to Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, 2747 Belmont Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44505. Of course, in addition to monetary contributions, Goodwill always accepts donations of clothing, household items, electrical items, home décor items, furniture, and other items that can be sold in the Goodwill stores. Maximize your donation to Goodwill through the Youngstown Foundation Maximize your donation to Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries when you donate through The Youngstown Foundation’s Support Fund. The Youngstown Foundation will consider a 5% additional contribution to your donation to Goodwill. The check must be sent to, and made payable to, The Youngstown Foundation. To qualify for the 5% additional contribution, the donation must be a minimum of $100, and only the donor’s first $5,000 qualifies for the additional contribution. The Youngs-town Foundation also accepts donations to the Support Fund through their website at www.youngstownfoundation.org. The Youngstown Foundation is a community foundation which has been in existence since 1918 and is a public charity under IRS Section 501 (c)(3). As a community foundation, it has the ability to receive contributions from the public and make grants to charitable causes. For additional information about the Support Fund, please contact The Youngstown Foundation at 330.744.0320.