Goodwill Interns Find Real-World Experience at Arlington Animal Services

By Carol Weemes

Posted on August 31, 2017, August 31, 2017

Goodwill is more than just a thrift store. Just ask the shelter staff at Arlington Animal Services. The Goodwill "Summer Earn & Learn" program provided a mutually rewarding experience for five dedicated student interns and the staff and animals at the center.

Goodwill is the largest employer of people with disabilities in the world, and the organization believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships.

"Summer Earn & Learn allows participants to receive workplace readiness training to prepare for successful employment and paid work experience to help build skills and identify future career goals," said David Cox, Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth president and CEO. "We are proud to partner with the City of Arlington to allow these students to have a real world internship experience."

The Goodwill interns assigned to the Animal Services Center attended a four-hour orientation class held by the shelter manager as an introduction to help prepare them for a five-week work program. During the five weeks, under the direction of the kennel supervisor and administrative staff, students learned basic job skills from communicating with shelter associates, to handling responsibilities of assigned duties as scheduled. Working a part-time schedule five days a week, the interns performed duties such as cleaning, mopping, preparing shelter supplies for daily work, and washing dishes.

"These students were hardworking and dedicated to their daily assigned job responsibilities," Animal Services Center Manager Chris Huff said. "They showed up as scheduled with huge smiles on their faces and ready to work."

Cox said that Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth's 23 locations provide revenue through the sale of donated goods to support Goodwill's mission. "Many think of Goodwill as just a thrift shop, but we provide job training and career services for people with disabilities, such as physical or mental disabilities and other barriers to employment including a lack of education or work experience and homelessness."

For more information, contact the Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation counselor assigned to your school or Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth at 817-332-7866.