Ex Felon Finds Redemption Through Goodwill!

Considering the path that his life had taken, Louis Thomas Hinnant's future looked bleak. He often wondered if he would ever live to see another day. This lifelong Washington, DC resident spent many of his prime years immersed in the deadly world of substance abuse and drug sales, which lead to repeated incarceration. All totaled, Louis wasted twenty-two years of his life behind bars.

However, all this time in prison finally led to an epiphany for Louis. Following the completion of his last prison sentence eight years ago, Louis was determined never to return again. He recognized the destructive nature of the lifestyle that he had chosen and understood that his decisions were not only hurting himself and others in his community, but also the rest of his family - especially his two sons, Octavius and Louis, Jr. whose childhoods he largely missed while in prison. This was Louis' biggest regret... Read more about how your support impacted Louis' life

	Guess What's New at Goodwill Retail Stores? New Merchandise!
	New Goodwill Board Officers Begin 2006 Work
	Goodwill Announce Date for 2nd Annual Fashion of Goodwill Runway Show & Gala
	Shop at Safeway and Suppport Goodwill
	WORC, A Goodwill of Greater Washington Affilliate, Launchs Regional Opportunity Support Services
	Lord & Taylor Bennefit Bash
	2006 Inaugural National Marathon

Dear Friend,

One needs something to believe in, something for which one can have wholehearted enthusiasm. One needs to feel that one's life has meaning, that one is needed in this world.

-- Hannah Senesh

The ultimate goal of Goodwill of Greater Washington is to help build dignity for the people we serve by providing them with the tools they need to find employment and become independent and self sufficient members of our community. With the hope your support provides to people with disadvantages or disabilities, they will begin to believe their lives have meaning. Thank you for helping others recognize that they are needed in this world.

Catherine Meloy
President & CEO

Guess What's New At Goodwill Retail Stores? New Merchandise!

Goodwill of Greater Washington is well known for selling vintage goods through its retail stores to fund the charity's job training and employment programs for the disadvantaged and disabled. But it is now also offering new goods!

As the local non-profit organization continues to rebuild its brand, it is not only redesigning all of its retail stores to make them more contemporary and colorful, but it is also supplementing its donated vintage merchandise with brand new merchandise... more

New Goodwill Board Officers Begins 2006 Work

The Goodwill of Greater Washington Board of Directors has designated its new leadership for 2006. Maritza Montiel, Regional Managing Partner for Deloitte will take over as the new board chairperson, as Carl Santillo, leaves the board after successfully guiding Goodwill since 2003.

Goodwill Announces the Date for its 2nd Annual Fashion of Goodwill, Runway Show and Gala

Goodwill's Second Annual Runway Show and Gala will be held on September 9 th at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center . The evening will feature a live fashion show featuring the quality items available at Goodwill Retail Stores as well as a fantastic silent auction, cocktail reception, dinner and dancing.

For information on ticket sales or sponsorships, please contact Stephanie Martin at (202) 715-2647 or stephaniem@dcgoodwill.org.

Shop at Safeway and Support Goodwill!!

Safeway has generously offered to include Goodwill of Greater Washington as one of the local beneficiaries of its new charitable shopping incentive program, appropriately called Shop & Care. The program has been created to help support local nonprofit organizations, like Goodwill, in the communities they serve... more

WORC, A Goodwill of Greater Washington Affiliate Launches Regional Opportunity Support Services (R.O.S.S.)

On February 17, 2006, Workforce Organizations for Regional Collaboration (WORC) officially launched a new web based database search engine named Regional Opportunity Support Services or R.O.S.S.

www.askROSS.org is a highly detailed web-based tool that provides comprehensive information on government, non-government, community and faith based social service providers. The site will be a tremendous resource to service providers, businesses, media and the general public when looking for information on community services or service providers... more

Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash

Want to shop for the latest fashions while supporting Goodwill of Greater Washington? Join Goodwill and Lord & Taylor for the “Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash” – a private benefit shopping day at Tyson’s Corner Lord and Taylor on Tuesday March 21st from 9 AM – 10 PM! You can save 20% on one special item and 15% all day long with your benefit bash pass... more

2006 Inaugural National Marathon

Goodwill of Greater Washington is proud to provide the cleaning services for this year's Inaugural National Marathon in Washington DC! Race participants can look forward to an aerobic tour of our country's most famous landmarks, monuments and memorials during this Inaugural Marathon on March 25, 2006. The race kicks off at 7AM from RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. If you are interested in registering to run the race, please visit www.NationalMarathon.com or call 1-866-RUN-0262.

Volunteers Needed

Want to help cheer on the runners or help pass out water at the Inaugural National Marathon on Saturday March 25 th in Washington, DC? Then sign up to volunteer at Goodwill of Greater Washington's Spirit Station where we will take over a one-mile stretch of the race route to support the runners during this amazing race! The race kicks off at 7 AM from RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. If you are interested in registering to run the race, please visit www.NationalMarathon.com or call 1-866-RUN-0262.

Volunteers will be asked to help cheer on the runners as the pass by - so you must be energetic! Some volunteers may also be asked to help pass our water to the thirsty runners, as well. We are also looking for fun people to volunteer at the Goodwill booth at the Finish Line Festival. This event is perfect for big groups or families that would like to come out for the day! Must have own transportation.

There will be a volunteer training session scheduled for those interested in attending the marathon. Those dates and times will be communicated as the event draws nearer. For more information or to sign up, please contact Nelissa Okamoto at 202-715-2625 or email her at NelissaO@DCGoodwill.org !

Goodwill of Greater Washington would like to recognize its Employees of the Month for December. This award is given to the Goodwill retail, contracts, or production division employee who has demonstrated his or her ability to provide the best in customer care and dedication to the Goodwill mission.

Goodwill of Greater Washington's Employees of the month for December 2005 are:

Contracts - Belinda Jackson (FDA)
Contracts - Lora Couser (BEP)
Retail - Elsiddiq Amasaib
Transportation - Michelle Thomas

GOODWILL OF GREATER WASHINGTON'S MISSION

Goodwill of Greater Washington's mission is to educate, train, employ and place people with disadvantages and disabilities, creating a stronger workforce and a more vital community while building dignity for the people we serve through the removal of barriers to personal success.