COLUMBUS, Ohio — September is National Workforce Development Month and Goodwill Columbus is celebrating with an open house of their all-new, expanded Work and Community Services (WCS) Division facility.
"Everything we do is a basis to teach communication, to teach confidence, to teach decision making," explained WCS director Tiffany Martin. "Those are the skills you need to get a job in the community and be successful."
The program provides "person-centered, employment-focused services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities" with vocational habilitation.
"The ultimate goal for Goodwill WCS and those we serve is to eventually have opportunities for them to work in the community and be a part of their community like everybody else," said Martin.
Recently, WCS moved to a new facility in Worthington that has afforded the program the ability to expand many of their educational opportunities. Carpentry, bike repair and retail processing are some of the jobs that WCS clients can participate in.
Sheila Confoey is one of the program's participants who has worked at WCS for 19 years. She has worked in all areas of the program, but now is part of the company's bike repair division.
When folks donate bicycles to Goodwill that are in need of repair, they come to the WCS bike shop where Confoey and her fellow workers make the necessary repairs. Once repaired, the bikes return to the stores and are sold with a portion of the profits going to the worker who made the repairs.
In addition to occupational services, WCS offers a variety of art programs designed to help clients express their emotions and expand their communication skills.
WCS offers programs in music that include performing with the Harmony Project and classes in theatre with The Ohio State University that incorporate the Hunter Heartbeat Method as well as opportunities to learn technology skills crucial in today's workforce.
"It's all about empowering individuals and a lot of that is done through relationship building with those we serve," explained Martin.
In her time with WCS, Confoey has made many friends and built lasting relationships with many of the dedicated educators and instructors in the program. But this year, Confoey made an extra special connection when she married Bruce, a fellow participant in the WCS program.
“I was looking around trying to find me the right person and I finally found one that I care about," said Confoey. " He’s a pretty good guy.”
Goodwill Columbus will celebrate the new Work and Community Service Division facility with an open house on Thursday, Sept. 5. For more information on the program, visit https://www.goodwillcolumbus.org/services/for-individuals/residential-day-services/.