Community Stories

Celebrate Juneteenth: A Guide to Local Events Juneteenth ("June Nineteenth") commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. On this day, two and a half…

Yisreall Malavez: Good Neighbor Community Navigator Title and time you have been with the organization: Goodwill Community Navigator II, I’ve been with Goodwill for almost 3 years. What is your role…

Children and Family Event: Amphibian Adventure at Cumming Nature Center On Saturday, June 4th, members of our low vision children and family programming were welcomed at the Cumming Nature Center in…

Swellar Zhuo (she/her): Community Engagement Coordinator Title and time you have been with the organization: I am the Community Engagement Coordinator and I started working for Goodwill in April 2022.…

The trick is to be pragmatic and get creative! Start with considering what the barrier is in the specific game to be played. Is it access to text? Understanding imagery? Spatial orientation? Color…

Brigitte Lee, LCSW: Clinical Care Liaison at 211/LIFE LINE Title and years with the organization: Brigitte Lee, LCSW, Clinical Care Liaison at 211/LIFE LINE.  I've been in this role for 4.5 years…

Richard Hartung: Crisis Community Connector Title and years with the organization: I have been with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes in 211/LL as a Crisis Community Connector since Oct. 2013. What do you…

Merva Alicea: 211/LIFE LINE Supervisor Title and years with the organization: My title is Contact Center Supervisor What do you enjoy most about working at 211/LIFE LINE? What I enjoy the most about…

Amanda Koszelak: 211/LIFE LINE Operations Manager Title and years with the organization: I am currently the Operations Manager for 211/LIFE LINE. I joined the organization over 5 years ago as a…

Sekou Stewart: Crisis Community Connector Title and years with the organization? Crisis Community Connector. I’m in my 6th year here at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes. What do you enjoy most about…

Josh Minarik: Crisis Community Connector Title and years with the organization? Crisis Community Connector, Been with GWFL since Feb '21 What do you enjoy most about working at 211/LIFE LINE? I love…

Erin Farrow: Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Title and Years with Goodwill: Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist - I've worked at ABVI for 8 years. What is your role at ABVI?   I work…

Margie VandeZande: Program Director of Vision Services Title and years with the organization: I am the Program Director of Vision Services. I have been with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes for almost 4…

Ann Marie Mistretta: Program Director of Contact Center Business Services Title and years with the organization: I have been at the contact center for 13 years and my title is Program…

Lisa Dixon: Contact Center Supervisor Title and time with the organization Contact Center Supervisor of 21 employees – 10 years with Goodwill of the Finger Lakes. What is your role here at…

Linda Mosley: Guest Relations Coordinator Title and years with the organization: Guest Relations Coordinator. I have worked for GFL for almost 3 years What is your role here at Goodwill of the Finger…

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and Smola Consulting presents The Goodwill Gala: Walk The New Blue!   The Goodwill Gala: Walk The New Blue will be held on Saturday, March 12th from 6:00 –…

Philip Monte Verde: Vision Wellness Coordinator Title and years with the organization: Vision Wellness Coordinator, 3 months Why do you enjoy working at Goodwill? At Goodwill we are given an…

Hanna Recktenwald: Social Work Intern Title and time with the organization? I am a Social Work Intern and have been with the organization since August 2021. What made you interested in becoming an…

Omar Pachas: 211/LIFE LINE Supervisor Title and years with Goodwill/211 211 Life Line Supervisor. I’ve worked for a year as a temp (2010) then hired by the agency (2011) so a total of 12 years.…