As we look toward 2022, we also reflect on 2021 and celebrate the accomplishments of our team over the past year. Beginning in 2017, Goodwill North Central Texas initiated an annual awards program, presented each year at our December board/staff luncheon, to honor high achieving staff members, service award recipients, as well as recognize a community partner of the year. We wanted to share their stories with you – because it’s individuals like these that make Goodwill, great!
Omar Ochoa Hernandez
Graduate of the Year
Omar began CDL training with NTI in March of 2021 and completed the program on May 19th. Soon after he was hired full-time as a driver for Central Transport. “Goodwill is everything to me. I am where I am because of you guys… I will never forget, and I am so grateful, thankful, and blessed.”
Lisa Lewis
Achiever of the Year
After many years of poor decisions, Lisa found herself starting her life all over again. She was recently out of prison, homeless, and unemployed. She never let those barriers stop her and after a short stint as a TEP worker, Lisa found herself permanently employed with Goodwill as an Intake Specialist. “Thank you, Goodwill, for allowing me to share my testimony and allowing me to be a part of a community that is so special to me.”
Jacinto Sanchez
Shining Star of the Year
Jacinto, “JJ,” has been a part of the S.T.A.R.S. Program since 2017, which he attends three days each week. He has a diagnosis of Mild IDD but doesn’t let that get in the way of anything he sets out to do. He is very helpful and checks on staff throughout the day to ask if they are ok and if they need anything. Every day after lunch, you can find Jacinto pushing the trash can from table to table gathering trash from his peers, without being asked. This act alone shows how helpful he is to those around him.
Mike Jones
Team Member of the Year: Admin/Contracts
Almost nine years ago Mike interviewed for a position for which he was overqualified. When that fact was brought up, his answer was “I would prefer pushing a broom than sitting at home.” He proved to be resourceful, hardworking, dependable, and has a true heart for working with individuals with disabilities. He quickly worked his way up to becoming a manager. His manager is proud to have him as a team member and as a representation of what Goodwill can do for others.
Scot Smith
Team Member of the Year: Workforce Development
WFD Leadership describes Scott as a hard worker that always goes the extra mile. After starting as a Job Developer at True Worth Place, he was soon promoted to Lead Placement Specialist. In that position, he revamped the training program and helped onboard new staff.
Angel Macias Rojas
Team Member of the Year: Donated Goods/Retail
Angel has been a donation attendant for five years at the Altamesa Store and will do anything that is needed for the team. He is described as always having a positive outlook on the day, and helps keep morale high. His positive attitude is contagious and when you mix that with his work ethic, it creates the model team member.
Community Engagement
Outstanding Team of the Year: Administration/Contracts
The Community Engagement team deserves the honor of 2021 Team of the Year for so many reasons. This team of Shay, Liz, Justan and Veronica are always eager to serve other departments. They are professional in all they do and serve us so well. This team’s creativity is unmatched, and the publicity they generate for our organization is amazing! They work hard, have fun, and keep Goodwill in the public eye!
Compliance
Outstanding Team of the Year: Workforce Development
Behind closed doors, this team of professionals works tirelessly to make sure the cogs of each community program run smoothly and stay in compliance with state, federal, and local laws. The compliance team works hard to help create and improve our compliance processes throughout the entire WFD department resulting in zero findings on our last two major single audits.
ADCs
Outstanding Team of the Year: Donated Goods/Retail
The DGR Leadership staff were excited to award the Team of the Year to the ADC Department. Supervisors Sherrill Marshall and Lisa Corbett have brought a new level of professionalism to the team. Their 30 employees keep the ADC sites clean, organized and maintain an efficient product flow. Customer service and our mission go hand-in-hand with our ADC attendants. They are proud to be part of our organization and most of all they are proud to be a part of our mission.
William Rumuly
Community Member of the Year
William has been instrumental in securing the worksite agreements and an ongoing partnership between Goodwill’s Summer Earn and Learn Program and the City of Fort Worth. Thanks to William, we were able to connect with the City Managers that have allowed us to place more than 70 youth with disabilities in positions throughout the city of Fort Worth over the past three years.