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Sally Ockenfels is an excellent example of how Goodwill transforms individuals with barriers into shining stars.

In September 2007, Ockenfels, who is developmentally disabled, enrolled in Goodwill of Central Arizona's Computer and Customer Service Training (CCST) class to advance her skills and improve her chances of finding meaningful employment.

Goodwill of Central Arizona has partnered with the University of Phoenix to establish four full-tuition scholarships, which will provide educational opportunities to disadvantaged students in pursuit of their post-secondary academic goals.

Four full-tuition scholarships will be awarded to students to seek an associate’s or bachelor’s degree online or at a University of Phoenix campus. The scholarships cover any area of study within the University of Phoenix and two scholarship recipients will start in the Fall 2009 semester.

Donations needed now more than ever to keep up with demand for services

An internal mid-year report indicates that Goodwill of Central Arizona is set for another record-breaking year of serving Arizona youth and adults in their quest to become independent through the power of work. The nonprofit organization, which is committed to providing high-quality job training and employment services to individuals with vocational barriers and disabilities, is on track to nearly double the number of individuals seeking its human services.

Goodwill of Central Arizona has partnered with the University of Phoenix to establish four full-tuition scholarships, which will provide educational opportunities to disadvantaged students in pursuit of their post-secondary academic goals.

Goal is set to collect 5 million pounds of clothes nationally

To ensure that every child goes back to school in style this year, Goodwill of Central Arizona and Family Circle have teamed up to launch a back-to-school clothing drive which will run from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30. The partnership will be featured in the September issue of Family Circle, the magazine’s first-ever issue dedicated to Back-To-School, as well as www.shopfamilycircle.com, the brand’s new e-commerce destination.

If you sit down and have a conversation with Jabbar Muhammad, you’ll have a hard time believing that he has a shy bone in his body.

Muhammad was 20 years old when he was first referred to Goodwill of Central Arizona by the state’s Department of Developmental Disabilities. He was described as shy and quiet, unsure of himself, yet very polite. However, Muhammad had the desire to learn work skills so he could one day help provide for his family.

Although tickets are SOLD OUT for the ninth-annual Evening of Goodwill, you can still contribute to the success of this wonderful fundraiser by making an online donation today!

The fundraiser which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 5-10 PM Los Cedros, North Scottsdale, is Goodwill’s most daring and unique effort to educate community members while encouraging them to give a hand up to disadvantaged Arizonans who want an education but don’t have the means to pursue it.

Goodwill of Central Arizona and their Goodwill Community Services Inc.’s janitorial team was recently honored with the International TOBY Award (The Office Building of the Year) for excellence in operations at its customer site, the Sandra Day O’Connor Building in Phoenix.

Goodwill’s Commercial Services division provides high-quality, competitively priced commercial business services throughout central Arizona.

Teri Shamblin is proof that it is never too late to learn something new. Moreover, the 56-year-old grandmother from Phoenix is proof that if you’re willing to learn new skills at any age, your life can change for the better.

In 2005, Shamblin was at a self-described low point in her life. She was unemployed, recently divorced and was living at a local domestic violence shelter. Shamblin said staff members at the shelter encouraged her to visit a Goodwill Career Center in order to boost her chances at finding work.

Did you know that Goodwill of Central Arizona offers a full-service General Educational Development (GED) program for youth and adults who wish to attain their academic goals?

In order to fulfill its Commitment to Put People to Work, Goodwill of Central Arizona realizes the importance of providing academic support services to the public such as one-on-one and group tutoring and the GED program.

In May, Goodwill hosted a ceremony in the Bulpitt Auditorium at Phoenix College, to honor recent GED program graduates.