Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley

Community Employment Services

wWoman and man working in warehouse Helping individuals with documented disabilities, whether mental, physical, developmental, health-related, or other, to find competitive employment is the goal of Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley's (GICV’s) Community Employment Services (CES). Through CES, GICV assists persons with disabilities in preparing for successful job placement and job retention by utilizing Goodwill Industries International’s Career Development Model. This career model promotes full participation and choice by an individual in defining his or her wants, needs, and preferences in the achievement of employment and/or other desired outcomes.

CES follows the philosophy of Supported Employment:

Assists individuals with disabilities in finding and keeping competitive employment (work in the community that anyone can apply for and that pays at least minimum wage)
Assists individuals with disabilities who express the desire to work and does not exclude because of “lack of readiness” or because of prior work history, substance use, or symptoms
.
Provides support from employment counselors as long as program participants want the assistance
Enables choices and decisions about work and support that are individualized, based on an individual's preferences, strengths, and experiences

GICV provides instruction and assistance with:

Applications, résumés, and cover letters
Interviewing techniques
Basic, social, and life skills
Job shadowing, Community-Based Work Assessment, and on-the-job experience
Job-development skills, job-seeking skills, and job-retention skills
Placement services
Job coaching (work-performance issues, accommodations, transportation training, long-term follow-up and support)

For more information on GICV's Community Employment Services, contact Tara Burkey at (814) 536-3536, ext. 231 or tburkey@goodwilljohnstown.org.

Eligibility is based on an individual with a documented disability who has the desire to obtain employment.

Applicants require referrals from the Cambria County Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities Program and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or Unlimited Care Providers.

Funded by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Cambria County Behavioral Health/Intellectual Disabilities Program, Autism Waiver, and the Department of Public Welfare's Community Care Waiver.

Coverage area by counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, Indiana, and Somerset.

What's New

* May 8, 2012
   Mentor Volunteer Steve Purich
   Receives International Award
   Read press release

* March 23, 2012
   Public Votes Could Award
   GICV a Grant for Youth Project
   Vote March 23-30
   Read press release

* January 20, 2012
GICV Recruiting for YouthBuild
Johnstown Program to Begin
February 6, 2012
Read press release

* January 19, 2012
"Recycling Computers with Goodwill"
Column by GICV President & CEO
Somerset Daily American
Read column

* January 12, 2012
GoodGuides Featured in
Johnstown Magazine for
National Mentoring Month
Read article

* January 6, 2012
   GICV to Hold Open House
   for New Indiana Mental Health
   Drop-In Center January 13
   Read press release

* Goodwill Goodboxes
   Unique Gift Boxes

* August 23, 2011
   GICV's Beth Anne Sandak
   Featured for Mentoring
   in Our Town, Read article

* August 23, 2011
   GICV to Facilitate Series of
   Mental Health Support Groups
   August 2011 through April 2012
   Download flyer