The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Goodwill Industries of Lorain County relocates to Elyria
Goodwill Industries of Lorain County has consolidated all its functions at its location at 145 Keep Court in Elyria.
The move to Elyria from Lorain has been in works for a couple of years, said President and CEO Barbara Hanck.
“Three years ago, we bought this building and the idea was to always bring everything over here,” Hanck said. “This is the corporate office. It does not make sense to have both locations.”
The building at 1600 Broadway Ave. in Lorain will most likely be put up for sale, Hanck said.
The Elyria facility allows for additional space, and it is a more convenient location for all the areas Goodwill serves.
“It’s a lot bigger; we can accommodate the computer lab, plus it is centrally located,” Hanck said. “We don’t just serve Lorain County, we serve about a third of Erie County and a small portion of Huron County.”
Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer said he hopes Goodwill will continue its work with Lorain residents.
“It is a place Lorain residents utilize, so I hope there are plans in place that would allow for the lack of mobility factor with citizens,” Ritenauer said.
Hanck said the issue isn’t limited to Lorain residents.
“I think transportation is an issue for Lorain County, not just the city of Lorain,” she said. “If someone is looking for a job they would have to figure that transportation problem out because they won’t be able to get to their job. I think people make accommodations to get around and they will do the same when it comes to our program.
“I have not seen a drop in the program, plus if transportation is really an issue, we will work with people. They can just call us.”
Goodwill Industries of Lorain County is a community-based organization that provides education, job training and employment services as well as job placement and postemployment support.
Its Education and Training Center offers free job readiness classes that prepare individuals for employment success. The classes assist participants with the basic knowledge and skill enhancement needed for seeking and maintaining employment.
The four-week program includes topics of job development and placement, job seeking skills training, career exploration, community based assessment, work adjustment, job coaching/mentoring.