The Assembly for Workforce Solutions (AWS) committee convened Monday at Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries’ main offices in Liberty to celebrate the one-year milestone of its Steering Committee and reflect on a year defined by action, collaboration, and measurable progress toward reducing barriers to workforce participation across the Mahoning Valley. Launched to strengthen alignment across workforce, health, and human service systems, AWS has spent its first year moving beyond conversation and into coordinated implementation. The Steering Committee anniversary marked a year of tangible outcomes driven by shared purpose and trust among partners. “AWS was intentionally designed to be a coalition of action,” said Carol Holmes-Chambers, Goodwill’s Community Solutions Director. “This work is about solving real challenges for real people by working together differently.” AWS continues to advance several strategic priorities through focused subcommittees that address key drivers of workforce participation and long-standing service fragmentation. These include transportation access, childcare availability, behavioral health supports, and reentry services for individuals involved in the justice system. Each subcommittee brings together cross-sector partners to identify barriers, test solutions, and scale what works. A distinguishing feature of AWS’s approach is its ongoing commitment to centering community voice and lived expertise. The Community Advisors group plays a critical role in shaping priorities, informing design, and ensuring that initiatives reflect the realities of individuals and families most impacted by system barriers. Their insight helps keep the work grounded, responsive, and accountable. Progress also continues on the Community Solutions Campus of the Valley, an ambitious collaborative effort aimed at better aligning workforce development, healthcare, and human services within one coordinated, place-based ecosystem. The model is designed to reduce complexity for residents while improving system efficiency through intentional co-location and coordination. In parallel, AWS partners are expanding the Social Information Exchange Network (SIEN) through the Unite Us platform. This expansion strengthens cross-sector coordination by enabling shared referrals, closed-loop feedback, and real-time collaboration among providers, helping reduce duplication of effort and improve outcomes for individuals navigating multiple systems. Throughout the meeting, members reinforced a shared belief that the Mahoning Valley already possesses the resources, expertise, and innovative leadership needed to meet its workforce challenges. The work of AWS is about intentionally bringing those assets together, breaking down silos, and moving from parallel efforts to true alignment. After one year, AWS continues to demonstrate that when organizations work together rather than separately, new possib ilities emerge for individuals seeking employment, families striving for stability, and the region as a whole. “This isn’t just about workforce participation,” Holmes-Chambers said. “It’s about community well-being. When systems align and barriers are reduced, the entire Mahoning Valley benefits.” To learn more, visit goodwillyoungstown.org/aws.

Community partners, business leaders, and nonprofit stakeholders gathered Wednesday at Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries for a collaborative meeting focused on strengthening access to regional resources and advancing a shared initiative to grow a Community Solutions Campus and satellite hubs across the Mahoning Valley and beyond.  The discussion highlighted the continued development of the Social Information Exchange Network (SIEN) using the Unite Us platform, a regional effort to better connect organizations through coordinated referrals and shared data, ensuring individuals can more easily access the services they need. The discussion also focused on Goodwill’s holistic approach to workforce development and outlined plans to expand services into new communities, including a future satellite hub at the organization’s upcoming East Liverpool retail and donation center later this year. The meeting brought together leaders from education, healthcare, economic development, social services, and the business community to align on local workforce needs and identify opportunities to better connect individuals to employment, training, and supportive services. Participants engaged in dialogue about how co-located resources can reduce barriers to employment while strengthening community partnerships. “This is about meeting people where they are and making opportunity more accessible,” said Shelley Murray, CEO of Goodwill Industries. “By working alongside our community and business partners, we can create hubs that not only provide retail and donation services, but also serve as gateways to job training, career pathways, and vital community resources. The collaboration we saw today reinforces that this work is most effective when it’s done together.” Besides the SIEN, another focus of the meeting was Goodwill’s initiative to grow a Community Solutions Campus in Liberty and satellite hubs across the region. These hubs may include access to workforce training, career coaching, digital skills development, and connections to wraparound supports such as transportation, childcare, or housing resources — tailored to the specific needs of each community. “Our goal is to listen first and then build solutions that reflect what each community truly needs,” said Carol Holmes-Chambers, Community Solutions Director at Goodwill. “The Social Information Exchange Network and satellite hub model allows us to be flexible and responsive. By incorporating a digital infrastructure and embedding services in places people already know and trust, we create more touchpoints for engagement and more pathways to success. The SIEN strengthens this work by ensuring that those connections don’t stop at the door but continue through coordinated referrals and real follow-through across partners.”   Together, the expansion of physical hubs and the SIEN represent a unified approach to building a more connected and responsive system of care and workforce support.  For more information about Goodwill’s programs, partnerships, or upcoming expansions, visit goodwillyoungstown.org.

Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries is pleased to announce the appointment of Kriss Richey‑Wolford and Heather McCowin to its Board of Directors. Richey‑Wolford brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and behavioral health. She spent 22 years in radiology and X‑ray services at Akron Children’s Hospital and currently serves with Alta Behavioral Healthcare. Since 2016, she has also been a dedicated family advocate for children with mental health and developmental disabilities, working to improve access to resources and support for families across the region. McCowin serves as Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, where she provides executive leadership for nursing operations and patient care strategy. She began her career as a registered nurse in emergency services and has advanced into senior leadership roles overseeing complex systems and large clinical teams. Both new board members share a strong commitment to service and to Goodwill’s mission of empowering individuals and strengthening communities. “We are honored to welcome Kriss and Heather to our Board of Directors,” said Dr. Shelley Murray, CEO of Goodwill. “Each brings valuable experience, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to helping individuals and communities move forward. Their service will help us continue building pathways to opportunity and expand the impact of our work across the communities we serve.”

Community leaders, partners, and supporters gathered Thursday morning as Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries hosted its 3rd Annual Mission Breakfast at Tippecanoe Country Club, celebrating the organization’s mission and the life-changing impact of its programs throughout the Mahoning Valley. The annual event is designed to share stories that demonstrate how Goodwill’s mission services empower individuals, strengthen families, and support the region’s workforce. More than 200 attendees heard remarks from CEO Dr. Shelley Murray and Board Director HaSheen Wilson, who highlighted the importance of community collaboration in creating opportunities for local residents. One of the most moving moments of the morning came during an in-person testimonial from Gary Vandetti, who shared his journey alongside his sister, Deborah Duffy. Vandetti has been employed with Goodwill for 42 years, and his story served as a powerful reminder of the organization’s commitment to providing meaningful employment and support for individuals of all abilities. The breakfast also featured two video testimonials, highlighting Goodwill’s partnerships and impact across the community. The first recognized the 50th anniversary of the Youngstown Radio Reading Service, celebrating the organization’s continued support of local programming and community initiatives for the blind and visually impaired. The second video shared the success story of Andrea Chapman, assistant manager at Goodwill’s Austintown store, and Goodwill’s partnership with the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. Through job training and support, Chapman was able to build a career and regain stability, illustrating how collaborative community partnerships can create lasting change. During her keynote address, Murray also outlined the future vision for Youngstown Area Goodwill, emphasizing the importance of strengthening partnerships across the region. She highlighted new and expanding initiatives, including the Assembly for Workforce Solutions and WorkOhio. The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition is serving as the Eastern Ohio hub for WorkOhio. “Our mission is only possible because of the partnerships we build across this community,” Murray said. “Together, we are creating opportunities that help individuals achieve their goals, while strengthening the workforce and the future of the Mahoning Valley.” The Mission Breakfast continues to serve as an important opportunity for Goodwill to share its work, celebrate partnerships, and inspire continued support for programs that help individuals overcome barriers to employment. If you missed the event but still want to support Goodwill, please consider donating your used goods to any of our 10 stores, or give a financial donation by clicking here. Together, we make a difference! 💙 You can view the videos from our Mission Breakfast here:

Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries and Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley come together to highlight the power of community partnership in the Mahoning Valley. By working collaboratively, both organizations are able to extend their impact — providing support, opportunity, and hope to individuals and families facing challenging circumstances.

We are incredibly honored to receive a Letter of Commendation from the Austintown Township Trustees . This recognition of our relief efforts following the Austintown Studio Apartments explosion truly means the world to us. In moments like these, it’s not about recognition — it’s about coming together as a community and supporting neighbors when they need it most. At Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, we believe in standing strong with our community during challenging times, and we are proud to be part of such a resilient and compassionate region. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and partnered with us to make a difference.

Vehicle Donation Supports Local Law Enforcement This week, Goodwill was proud to donate one of our former Motive transportation vehicles —– an old command center squat unit —– to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department . What once helped support our mission on the road will now serve a new purpose in helping local law enforcement better respond to the needs of our community. Over the years, this vehicle played a role in supporting transportation and outreach efforts tied to Goodwill’s programs. Rather than letting it sit unused, we saw an opportunity to give it a second life —– continuing to serve the Mahoning Valley in a new and meaningful way. Partnerships like this reflect the power of collaboration and resourcefulness. By working together, nonprofit organizations and public safety agencies can maximize resources, reduce waste, and strengthen the services available to our community.  We’re grateful to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department for their partnership and for the work they do every day to keep our community safe. It’s an honor to see this vehicle continue making an impact —– just in a different uniform.

Youngstown Area Goodwill CEO Shelley Murray spoke at Monday's WorkOhio kickoff tour. With her are (from left): Alex Hertzer, Executive Director of the Mahoning Valley Manufactures Coalition; Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel; and Mark Lamoncha, CEO of Humtown.

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Collaboration was front and center at Goodwill Wednesday morning as we welcomed fellow non-profit organizations to come together and talk all things Thrift Trail Map . 💙 The conversation went beyond the map — it was a meaningful step toward stronger partnerships, shared ideas, and working together to better serve our communities. When nonprofits connect, everyone benefits.

Our Warren retail store has been recognized as the “Best of 2025 Warren Award Winner” in the Thrift Store category! This honor is based on verified data from Google Reviews, as analyzed and certified by BusinessRate, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you to our amazing shoppers, donors, and team members who made this possible — your support means everything to us.

Altrusa Youngstown is celebrating a major literacy milestone this month, announcing that its volunteer-led Book Donation Project has surpassed 20,000 donated books since its launch in April 2023. Read More On Mahoning Matters by Clicking here!