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.