Good News from MERS Goodwill

JUNE 2017

DONATE A CAR IN JUNE AND RECEIVE

FOUR (4) ONE-DAY PASSES TO SIX FLAGS

ST. LOUIS

Promotion Rules:

Must mention "Six Flags"(if donating online, put a note in the comments section)
One set of tickets per household
Tickets will be mailed to the address on your paperwork after the car has been picked up and verified at the auction with the title.
While supplies last

If you have any questions, call us at 314-241-3464 or to donate online click here.

DONATE FOR 1/2 OFF CARDINALS TICKETS!

Donate to any of our 42 stores and donation centers for a half-price ticket offer to most Monday-Thursday Cardinals' home games and select Friday and Sunday games. (Some blackout dates and restrictions apply).

When you make a donation, just ask for the Cardinals' ticket voucher which you can redeem online at www.cardinals.com/goodwill or at the Busch Stadium Ticket Windows for your half-price tickets. Each voucher is good for up to six (6) tickets. For a donation site in your neighborhood click here.

Thank you for your donation! You are helping to put people to work in our community!

IN THE MEDIA

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

MERS Goodwill opened two new locations

Read here for more information

KMOV-TV (CBS 4)

Goodwill, Boy Scouts hold community collection drive

See the story here

1120 AM Radio, KMOX

Spring cleaning tips from Goodwill

See the story here

Farmington Press

Goodwill store moving

Read about Farmington's move here

KTVI-TV (FOX 2)

Cardinals kick off 'Green Week' with collection drive

Watch the story here

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Cardinals offer ticket vouchers for recyclers

Read the full story here

SOCIAL MEDIA

CONTACT US

MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries

1727 Locust Street

St. Louis, Missouri 63103

P: 314-241-3464

F: 314-241-1085

Donate at any of our Goodwill store locations, plus our drop-off sheds and trailer sites.

To find a location near you, please visit our website .

MERS Goodwill Opens New Retail Store

in Jefferson City on Thursday, June 15

Replaces Current Store with New, Bigger Location

MERS Goodwill will open a new retail store on Thursday, June 15, 2017 for shoppers in Jefferson City, Mo. The newly constructed 15,000-square-foot store located at 2821 South Ten Mile Drive will replace the 1806 Missouri Boulevard site. A grand opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 15. The store will open immediately following a ribbon cutting at 8:50 a.m.

"We continue to lo ok for ways to better serve our customers and meet the needs of the community," said David Kutchback, President and CEO of MERS Goodwill. "This was a much needed move and will offer easier parking, a simpler and more convenient donation process and an improved shopping experience."

The store location at 1806 Missouri Boulevard closed as of Saturday evening. Goodwill will retain the existing employees that will relocate with this 1.4-mile move. The new location on at 2821 South Ten Mile Drive will create a better traffic flow and protect donors and their donations from the elements with a drive-thru overhang. Store hours will remain the same: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Revenue from MERS Goodwill's retail stores helps fund its employment and rehabilitation programs. These programs help individuals who face economic, physical, mental or other disadvantages look for and find employment. Services offered include those that teach basic software skills and skills training as well as job development and placement activities. For more store and career center locations, please visit mersgoodwill.org/shop/locations .

To keep up with store openings and to receive daily sales, follow MERS Goodwill on Twitter and Facebook.

Client Success: Allison Shelley, Administrative Assistant with Integrated Pharmacy Services

"Goodwill gave me a chance to excel in the workplace and taught me valuable skills that helped me achieve my goals."

Allison Shelley has never let disabilities and challenges deter her from going for her dream. Feeling defeated with her former employer's expectations and the struggles she faced with having to cope with her learning disability and her unique way of needing to learn, Allison found an amazing support system at MERS Goodwill.

After struggling at her job within a major healthcare system, the Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation referred Allison to the Employment Services program at MERS Goodwill.

"I remember the day I met Allison," said her caseworker Katie Hennessey. "I saw someone who obviously felt defeated in her current position, but that under the frustration and low self-esteem was someone with unique abilities and a bubbly personality just waiting to surface."

Initially Allison and Katie worked together on job retention skills and building her self-esteem. After meetings with Katie and her job supervisor, Allison felt it was time to search for new opportunities, and continue on her career path of becoming an Administrative Assistant. By focusing on her skills rather than her limitations, Allison's confidence began to rise.

"I felt defeated and was getting frustrated," said Allison. "Katie helped me realize that there were other opportunities out there that would make me actually enjoy going to work every day instead of dreading it. Without her support I would not have had the courage to explore the other opportunities that were out there."

While still working at her job at the healthcare provider, Allison and Katie would meet weekly to discuss different career options and apply for a variety of jobs that fit Allison's strengths. During these meetings, the two would also work on Allison's resume and participate in mock interviews to help Allison get more comfortable and prepared for the hiring process.

Katie also worked with Allison on identifying her strengths and weaknesses and how to apply those assets in the work force. The duo focused on full-time administrative/office positions with benefits that wouldn't require a large amount of time spent on the phone. Communication had always been somewhat difficult for Allison, and they wanted to focus on positions that matched her strengths.

"Allison and I worked really hard on increasing her confidence and to show employers what she could offer them," said Hennessey. "Allison's enthusiasm and contagious laughter really began to show after exploring other job opportunities and she began to feel more comfortable with herself and in her abilities."

After months of working together, Allison was offered a pharmacy cashier position at LDI. However, Allison and Katie were hesitant about the position since math was a subject Allison had always struggled with. After approaching Grant Dino, President of LDI, about their concerns, Allison and Katie were both shocked when his response was to create a brand new position for Allison. The office admin position that was created for Allison highlighted her strengths and worked around her weaknesses.

"I knew right then that LDI would be the perfect fit for me," said Allison. "LDI was willing to look outside the box and focus on my strengths. The company has made me feel comfortable with my disability and has never made me feel any less of an asset because of it and my weaknesses."

Working as an Office Admin for the past year at LDI, Allison is responsible for taking care of the day-to-day organization of the office and assisting with other tasks throughout the day. Her new role has changed her life and she credits Goodwill with helping her achieve her goals.

Read about more about Allison and her journey to employment here.

For more information about MERS Goodwill or to find a Goodwill Career Center near you, call (314) 241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.