NEWARK — Most people hear Goodwill and think of retail stores and donated clothing, but the Licking/Knox Goodwill offers so much more – with services dedicated specifically to the Knox County community.
As the New Year kicks off, let us re-introduce you to some of the many services Goodwill has to offer.
With the school year half over, many students in the community are looking forward to some monumental experiences including planning for college and senior prom.
Did you know Goodwill offers scholarships?
The Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, Inc. Foundation was established to support and enhance the organization’s mission by providing resources to our employees, clients, and the local community.
Through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County, our foundation currently offers two types of scholarships, Secondary (for students attending a high school career center) and Post-Secondary (for adult students attending trade school or college).
Austin Powelson, Knox County resident and graduate of North Ridge High School is the first in his family to attend college. “I grew up in a lower middle class family where the majority of my relatives still live with their parents, I don’t want to join that crowd. I want to make a name for myself and stand out from all of the stereotypes my family has experienced in the past,” he said.
After getting a jump start on his education at Wilmington College, he transferred to the University of Cincinnati where he is majoring in Sports and Business Administration.
“I feel blessed that my employer has a program to help with college expenses,” said Donna Powelson, Austin’s mother and Retail Associate at the Utica Goodwill Store. “There was no way for me to financially assist Austin. With the help of Licking/Knox Goodwill he is able to focus on his education and not worry as much about the financial cost of college.”
Because of his perseverance, Austin was granted a $2,500 scholarship in June 2017. He is currently eligible to reapply for another scholarship annually through the Licking/Knox Goodwill Foundation.
Formed in June 2013, The Licking/Knox Goodwill Foundation’s first scholarships were granted in the Spring of 2015. To date, the foundation has provided 48 scholarships to individuals with aspirations for advancement as they continue their education and specialized training.
Students can easily apply online now through April 25, 2018 by visiting www.goodwillnewark.com/foundation.
Did you know Goodwill offers a free formalwear closet to students attending prom and homecoming?
Licking/Knox Goodwill is proud to expand our Priceless Dresses and Dreams, Free Formalwear Closet to Knox County. This program provides free formalwear to students in Licking and Knox counties who will be attending their high school prom and homecoming dances. The hope is that every student who wants to attend prom or homecoming is given the opportunity to find their special dress and made to feel like a princess.
Younger sisters often get hand-me-down dresses, but that was not the case for Gabrielle and Samantha Rudder of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Older sister Gabrielle has received more than one special dress from Goodwill’s Priceless Dresses and Dreams Formalwear Closet. This past fall, Samantha was excited to try on her first formal dress. “Our experience was fabulous. My girls are shy and they have a hard time coming out of their shells. The ladies in the dress closet were perfect and helped my girls find beautiful dresses and look stunning for their dances,” said Tamara Rudder, mother.
Goodwill’s formalwear closets feature gently worn, sometimes new with tags, dresses in many sizes, styles, and colors. All of which have been generously donated from the community.
The main Priceless Dresses and Dreams Formalwear Closet has been operating since 2014 and is currently located in the Goodwill Unlimited retail store in Heath, Ohio. Starting this February, Goodwill has dedicated a space for formal dresses in the Parrott Street retail store, at 60 B Parrott Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Knox County students can reach out to their high school to obtain a free voucher for a dress, which they can redeem at either Priceless Dresses and Dream locations.
Do you know your Goodwill’s mission?
Goodwill Industries International is divided up by territories. In Ohio, the local Goodwill operates within Licking and Knox Counties. While every Goodwill is a little different, there is no one owner and each has a mission to meet the special needs of their community.
Licking/Knox Goodwill’s mission is to provide training, employment, and support services to individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Your Goodwill accomplishes this in a number of unique ways including our scholarships and dress closets.
Stay tuned for more exciting features about your Licking/Knox Goodwill as we continue to highlight the great services and all the benefits Goodwill offers your community. We look forward to you working with us.
For additional information about Licking/Knox Goodwill, please contact Lisa Baker, Vice President of Communications, at 740-345-9861. Licking/Knox Goodwill Industries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, CARF Accredited agency, providing training, employment, and support services for individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment. For further information about services, please call 740-345-9861 or visit www.goodwillnewark.com.
