From Rappahannock Goodwill:
Rappahannock Goodwill Industries (RGI) recently held their annual celebration event at the Goodwill Community Resource Center. “A Hand Up” honors community members and RGI employees and volunteers. The award recipients were selected from RGI employees, local employers, community volunteers and partners, and individuals who have been helped by RGI. The event was held in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours.
The three honorees were as follows:
- The Graduate of the Year Award is given to an individual who has received services through RGI and has gone on to achieve significant improvement in her or her life through employment in the community. This year, Mr. Chuck Green was recognized as the 2019 Graduate of the Year. Chuck had 20 years of carpentry experience but due to a back injury he could no longer continue in the trade. Chuck met with a Case Manager at Rappahannock Goodwill Industries in Culpeper and decided to become a home inspector. With funds provided by the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act through the Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region, Chuck was able to take an online course through Germanna Community College. Chuck went on to earn two more certifications through the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. He obtained his State Certified Home Inspector’s License, which allowed him to launch his own business in 2016. As the owner and operator of Granite Home Inspections, LLC., Chuck now performs multiple inspections a day and has built a strong business network with realtors and customers in the region.
- The Community Partner of the Year Award is given to a person or organization that partners with Rappahannock Goodwill in fulfilling the mission of RGI. This year, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) was recognized as RGI’s 2019 Community Partner of the year. For more than nine years, RGI and CRRL have worked together on behalf of the community, providing volunteer literacy tutoring and job seeking assistance to any who are interested. Most recently RGI and CRRL have joined together to bring free computer skills training to the community in several of the library branches. Ms. Martha Hutzel, Executive Director of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, accepted the award.
- The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to someone who gives their time and skills to volunteer for Rappahannock Goodwill. This year, Ms. Bernardine Miles was recognized for her service to RGI. Bernardine participates in the AmeriCorps Goodskills Literacy program at RGI. She provides one-on-one tutoring to individuals in the community who are trying to grasp the English language. As a career educator, Bernardine also works in the RGI Job Help Center, assisting individuals with resume writing, conducting mock interviews, and sharing her life and career experiences.
. From L-R: Donnie Tolson, Martha Hutzel, Chuck Green, and Bernardine Miles.
