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GOODWILL HONORS OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES, CLIENTS

Stories of Success, Determination Celebrated at Annual Impact Celebration

A formerly incarcerated father of six who became a business owner and teacher is among people whose inspiring stories of achievement were celebrated during Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s Impact Awards ceremony at the Music City Center in Nashville Thursday.

The event recognized outstanding Goodwill team members and clients as well as organizations that helped advance Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment. The luncheon was emceed by NewsChannel 5 Anchor Rhori Johnston and presented by Amazon and Pinnacle Financial Partners. The keynote speaker was Former U.S. Attorney General and Dean and Distinguished Professor of Law at Belmont College of Law Alberto R. Gonzales. 

“The stories of our award winners reflect the transformative power of work for individuals with barriers as well as the impact Goodwill’s local nonprofit mission is having in communities across middle and west Tennessee,” said Goodwill’s President and CEO Matthew Bourlakas. “All of this is possible thanks to the generosity of Goodwill donors and shoppers.”

2022 Goodwill Impact Award Winners  

ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR

Anthony Fanning

The recipients of this award have achieved great success since being hired by Goodwill. This award is sponsored by Diversified Trust.

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Anthony Fanning, a married father of six, got out of prison in 2014. After spending months trying to find a job while his wife supported the family, he came to Goodwill Career Solutions seeking help. He attended a job fair, took a computer class and received other services. Then, he completed Goodwill’s Construction and Weatherization Training Program, a four-week course that provides instruction in safety, use of power tools, blueprints and more. Anthony formed a bond with the program’s instructor, Tim Kahn. In February of 2015 — with Kahn’s help — Anthony founded his own home repair service. In May of this year, Anthony embraced another opportunity: He is now a trainer working with students in the construction program to help them find success as he did. 

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

Mary Hance, “Ms. Cheap”

This award is presented to a person who has made significant contributions to public awareness of Goodwill and its mission. This award is sponsored by T&T Foundation.

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Over 45 years at the Nashville Banner, The Tennessean and now at Main Street Media, journalist Mary Hance has delivered news readers trust. For 30 years, through her Ms. Cheap columns, she has helped Tennesseans stretch their hard-earned dollars. Many of those columns and Hance’s appearances on NewsChannel 5’s Talk of the Town have featured Goodwill. The awareness Hance creates in the community about Goodwill’s sales, discounts and environmentally sustainable operations, has helped the nonprofit to sustain and expand its mission services.

DAVID B. LIFSEY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Daniella McNair

This annual scholarship, sponsored by American Paper & Twine, is named for Goodwill’s past president who served four decades. It is presented to a Goodwill training program graduate who plans to enroll, or has enrolled, in post-secondary education or a credentialed certification program.

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As a young person, Daniella McNair of Clarksville was gifted in art, music and academics. She attended Austin Peay State University to study graphic design, but she dropped out before completing her bachelor’s degree. She wound up working as a janitor for a large retailer and taking other part-time jobs. She struggled financially, losing a job during the pandemic and at one point spending two months in a homeless shelter. While searching for jobs online, she learned about Goodwill’s Google IT Support Professional Certificate program. Daniella studied hard and graduated from the program in about a year. Afterward, she landed a position with DYOPATH, a leading Managed Service Provider offering trusted IT solutions. Daniella’s income increased by 33%, stabilizing her finances, and she finds her new career both rewarding and fascinating.  

LAVOI-KATZ AWARD RECIPIENT

Johnny McCann

This award is named in honor of two women who were loyal supporters of Goodwill — Madelaine LaVoi and Elsine Katz. It is given to a Goodwill Career Solutions client who made outstanding progress. This award is sponsored by Neal Brad Thomason.

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Johnny McCann had not held a job before his mother died when he was 40. She and his two brothers had been his protectors as he grew up with a disability in Section 8 housing in Nashville. Her passing left Johnny depressed and seeking purpose. His brother Larry McCann, who received conservatorship of Johnny, and Habilitation and Training Services (H.A.T.S.) helped him to find a job with Goodwill in Hendersonville. Johnny recently celebrated his 15th anniversary with Goodwill. He works each day with a H.A.T.S. job coach to sort and place books, media and other donated merchandise onto Goodwill store shelves. He loves interacting with shoppers and co-workers, and he is beloved for his bright smile and cheerful personality. 

MISSION PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Welcome Home Ministries

Presented to an organization that significantly contributed to Goodwill’s mission of providing jobs and job services for those struggling to find work. This award is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust.

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Since 1992, Welcome Home Ministries has provided a ministry of recovery, hope, healing and reconciliation for men who suffer from chronic alcohol and drug addictions. For the past 12 years, the Nashville-based recovery housing operator has partnered closely with Goodwill to help its clients receive skills training and make connections with employers. Last year alone, 20 Welcome Home Ministries clients participated in Goodwill’s Forklift Training Program

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DONOR PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Lowe’s

Presented to an organization that significantly contributed to Goodwill’s mission through assistance with the collection of donated goods. This award is sponsored by the Enchiridion Foundation.

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Lowe’s is a partner in Goodwill Industries International’s Rising Together Initiative, which seeks to connect more than 1 million people with sustainable careers in skilled trades by 2025. In Middle Tennessee, Lowe’s has supported Goodwill through donations to its construction program as well as by giving an estimated $375,000 in goods — including Christmas items, gardening supplies and power tools — that have been sold in Goodwill stores to support the nonprofit’s mission services. 

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EMPLOYER PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Apex Systems

Presented to a company or organization that significantly contributed to helping Goodwill’s clients achieve the ABC’s of employment: finding a job and then upskilling for a better job so they can launch a career. This award is sponsored by Core Civic Foundation.

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Apex Systems, a world class technology services business that provides industry insights and experience to deliver solutions that fulfill their clients digital visions, has been partnering with Goodwill and interviewing its clients since 2014. That relationship blossomed in 2018, when Goodwill introduced Grow with Google, a suite of free training programs that prepare clients for careers in information technology. Since that time, Apex has hired eight graduates of Grow with Google programs.

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PIONEERS OF THE YEAR

Debbie Grant & Matt Gloster

This award honors luminaries who went beyond the call of duty, led by example and inspired others to rally behind Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment.

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Debbie Grant and Matt Gloster led Goodwill’s mission arm for a combined half-century before retiring in August. For 34 years, Grant — a certified case manager who became the nonprofit’s longest-serving employee — attended to the needs of clients while working to maximize Goodwill’s impact in the community. Sixteen years ago, Gloster — a career restaurateur who served on Goodwill’s board of directors — became a key member of its leadership team, directing Goodwill’s mission services and, for several years, its donated goods and retail operations. 

About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

For 65 years, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. Goodwill’s vision is that all people will have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential through the power of work. More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be found online at www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231.

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