May 21, 2025 • 21 mins
Thursday night, June 5th, outside Century II, it's the 37th Annual Cajun Food Fest, sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Kansas. This not-to-be-missed culinary celebration is just one example of the thousands of ways Goodwill helps make our communities better. Erin Younkin, Goodwill's Chief Communications Officer, and Justin Rupert, Director of Marketing and Communications stop by our studio to tell us all about it. www.goodwillks.org
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is the Wichita Weekend Podcast from iHeartRadio Stations ninety
seven point nine B ninety eight one oh two to one,
The Bowl Channel nine six three and All one oh
seven three. I'm your host, Don Guidas. Thanks for joining
us and our guests come to us from Goodwill Goodwill
Industries of Kansas. Right, that's correct. Right here in Wichita,
(00:22):
we have Director of Marketing and Communications, Justin Rupert. Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Justin Hi, Don, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Wonderful to have you here. Also, Aaron Yunkin is here.
She is the chief communications officer for Goodwill and brand
new and in your job so to speak.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Right, I am about four months in so thank you
for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Well, welcome, thank you for coming. It's an exciting time
of year for Goodwill, and I mean the top of
mind event with Goodwill right now. This time of year,
of course, is the Cajun Food Festival that happens during Riverfest.
And already I'm thinking about bread pudding.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Oh, you've got to be thinking about the bread pudding.
That bourbon custard sauce on top of that. That is
a that's you know, people may take the whole meal,
but they're there for the dessert.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Office there for the dessert and you know, I've been
to several Cajun Food Fests and they're always fantastic. And
the one thing that really strikes me is the number
of volunteers you have working there and how you've got
this thing down to a science.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Well, we've been doing about thirty seven years now, so
we've yeah, we've kind of figured some things out and
sometimes we make some adjustments, but we are obviously super
fortunate to have some very tremendous volunteer groups that come
out and help us. You know, there's a lot going
on at Riverfest and so it's hard to take it
all in. But if you come to the good Will
(01:46):
Industries of Kansas Cajun Food Fest, you're going to get
a great meal and probably have a good time. With
the concerts going on right next door. We're right there
on Kennedy Plaza, it'll be a blast. The good time
is unavoidable, that's true. You cannot miss the good The
good time will come and grab you by the throat.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
And you know the good times are going to happen,
and we are policing that. So if you're not having
a good time, we we've done something wrong, but we
promise you'll have a tremendous times we have.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
We have a good time talking about the Cajun Food Fest.
But the but the serious reason behind all this is
the Cajun Food Fest is one of the ways that
we help support the Goodwill overall mission.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, that's that's that's right.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
In addition to events like Cajun Food Fest, uh and
our retail stores which we have twenty retail stores across
the state of Kansas now and one donation center and
online we could go into that. These are the sort
of things that support our mission of transforming lives and
communities through the power of education, training and development. So
our mission is really centered around those three topics.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
We offer adult education otherwise known as GED so individuals
adults can earn their high school diploma. We offer English
as a second language to English language learners. They can
also enroll in a citizenship program to begin that process
to earn their citizenship.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Did not know that?
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Yeah, there's depth to our mission that most people aren't
aware of, and that's why they send me out to
shows like this so I can dig in a little.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Bit and get it all broadcast out there and let
people know what Goodwill is all about. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
I think a lot of folks are familiar that with
the idea that there is some good we do in
the community.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
They realize there's a.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Mission and oftentimes people think, oh, I think you do
something with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. And that's true.
We have an adult day services program, but our our
education wing of the mission is much broader than people realize,
and it's it's really doing a lot, I think to
(03:47):
transform the community.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah. Well, let's talk a little bit about kind of
the manufacturing services segment that Goodwill has that I know
a lot of folks aren't really aware of.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Right.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
It's you know, we believe in the power of work, right,
and so so part of our mission involves manufacturing services
as part of our business services wing essentially, and so
there are a lot of jobs that we could be
providing minor jobs for other companies, so you know, subassembly,
kitting and packaging, product testing, aerospace insulation. There are a
(04:22):
lot of custom apparel. That's that's one of the big ones.
We have some industrial industrial strength, industrial sized describe it,
sewing machines in our headquarters on Northweb and so we
can we can produce just about anything from whole cloth
(04:43):
essentially right.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And so if you have a company that makes something, yeah,
and you want to get it made right and contribute
to the mission a good Will timely fashion, yes, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
We are an ISO certified and manufacturing facility. And if
anybody listening knows what that means, great, Yeah, that's really
gonna ring a bell for you. But that essentially guarantees
a certain amount of quality and craftsmanship. So those those
opportunities are out there. And if if this, you know,
(05:15):
if this catches somebody's attention, please visit our website Goodwill
ks dot org and just fill out a little contact
form and we'll get you in touch with the right people.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Now, I've been to that website and there is a
ton of wonderful information on there for anybody in any capacity,
like like, you know, a question that comes to my
mind as a sort of a simple minded radio host,
if you will, is how do how do folks find you?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
How do they find us? Well?
Speaker 1 (05:46):
People find Goodwill?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
They you know, they find Goodwill for a number of reasons.
Either they're you know, they could be I don't know
if you're aware of this, but thrifting is very popular.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Actually I've heard that. Actually, kind i am, and you know,
I'm sure there's a ton of people out there who
got a great Goodwill find story.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Yeah, yeah, so a lot of times that is their
first entry point they see, they see good deals and
bargains in our stores. And what we're trying to do
is really put some more of an emotional connection between
that shopping experience, because every shopper and donor that comes
through Goodwill is supporting our mission to the tune of
(06:25):
ninety cents out of every dome, so that oftentimes, you know,
it could just be I'm familiar with.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Goodwill because of the thrift stores.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
And but what we what we want to do is
kind of help bring awareness to the mission.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
There you go, There you go, So come for the
Halloween costume, but stick around for some of the real
information about what's happening there and how Goodwill is making
Wichita a better place to live in Kansas a better place.
You guys have twenty one did.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
You say twenty actual shopping locations, and then we have
a new concept, which is our Attended Donation Center. So
it is in West Wichita, and that is simply a
place where a person can pull up a door attendant
will come out to them, help them unload their car
with their donations and process and they're on the spot.
(07:14):
So not a shopping experience, but it makes the donation
process easier. It's we call it a donation express. The
idea of the concept just in and.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Out real quickly.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
So we're trying to make donating more convenient for customers
on the west side of town.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Wow, was that good to know about? Where is that?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
You know?
Speaker 4 (07:33):
That is a Is that one nineteenth or one thirty
fifth and Maple?
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Okay, I think it's kind of the Auburn Hills, Yes,
very exactly. Yeah, oh that's okay. Yeah, yeah, I'm a
west side or so I think Memorial Day weekend tours
you never know.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Yeah yeah, but twenty shopping locations across our territory, so
as far out as Garden City, Hays, you know, Great Bend,
all the way up to Import Injunction City. We have
store locations.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
So all right, and.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
We also, I should say, we have an e commerce platform.
So if you're listening to this podcast, you're familiar with
how to shop online, I bet so go to shop
Goodwill dot Com slash ks and you can shop online,
kind of trying to make that convenient as well.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
So if I had something in mind that I was
looking for some antique or some retro item, whatever it
might be. It might be a lamp or a ash
tray or you name it, or a painting, Yeah, I
could kind of do some research on that online and
maybe put out my feelers and then when something that
(08:42):
might strike my interest comes up, I could check it out.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Absolutely. Yeah, you go to that site.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
It's pretty neat because it's part of the whole Goodwill
Industries international network, so you're not just shopping from donations
that came in via our territory in our stores, but
also across the country. So you can just type into
that search, I'm looking for an antique lamp, one of
those touch lamps that you have three different settings. The
cool thing about you know, if you if you end
(09:09):
up finding something from our location, you can go up
to our North Oliver store where the e comm is
located and skip the shipping and handling charges that would
come from shipping it all across the country.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Right, Wow, Yeah, who knew? I sure didn't. That's good
to know too, because there are some I'm sure that
all the really rabid collectors out there that are in
the know about thrifting are already into that. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Yeah, it's very great, neat place to find collectibles and
niche items that you may maybe collecting.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Or interesting kit cat clock or what.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Are you a big Coca Cola fan, you know you
need all the signs and whatnot. That's the place to go.
But you know, platforms like that and the retail stores,
you know, they support our mission. And one of the
things I kind of neglected to mention as it relates
to our mission is the kind of new concept called
our opportunity centers. I'm actually gonna let Aaron talk a
(10:14):
little bit about the opportunity centers because I think she
has a few things to say about.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Okay, Well, I was actually gonna gonna ask about the
opportunity centers and be able to talk about those. We
did open our first opportunity Opportunity center earlier this year
at the Evergreen Evergreen Library, Okay campus area in North Kansas. Yeah, yes, yeah, yep,
(10:40):
And so we're able to provide the English Language learning
classes there, the GED classes, and the goal of the
Opportunity Center is to remove the barrier of transportation or services.
So when we're able to open a location in a
neighborhood or in our community, we're able to take the
services we offer and and to provide them in that neighborhood.
(11:03):
So we take our services to the people that need them.
And then we're also able to partner with other nonprofit
organizations and allow them a space to come in and
provide things like United Way did their vite attack service
this year out of our Opportunity Center location. We've held
a FAFSA night.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
We just did.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
We just held one of the most successful expungement clinics
we think the States ever had, So we were able
to provide an expungement for I think over seventy eight individuals.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Wow, So tell us a little bit about that. What's
an expungement clinic.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
So, an expungement clinic is an opportunity for people who
have been involved with the justice system and have things
on their record that are eligible for expungement. So they
have to go through a process of qualifying for the expungement.
And we were able to partner with Kansas Legal Services
(12:02):
and Coke to they provided the lawyers for the event
and people were able to get qualified for the expungement.
They set up a time to come in, they were
able to meet with lawyers free of charge. Everything was
prepared for the expungement and those are able to be
filed now. So we saved people hundreds thousands of dollars
(12:26):
in legal fees and were able to let them continue
with their lives. And that was forward and move on
and you know, looking at employment opportunities, and we had
someone who wanted to be a foster parent who had
something from twenty years ago on their record, and so that.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Is amazing, that truly is that is absolutely life changing. Yeah,
and one of the things I had no idea that
this was available. Yeah, and it will.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I think it ties into our you know, we've been
doing a little more work with our re entry services program,
so we also work with other individuals who are justice
involved and who are looking for a second chance, and
they're able to go through our program and earn the
high school diploma as well as a work certification through
(13:16):
WSUTECH and that allows them to move forward with their lives.
We know that it helps reduce the recidivism rate and
it's a better thing for our whole community. And I
think Justin mentioned the manufacturing services earlier. We were able
to add a second shift to our manufacturing services for
(13:38):
individuals who needed a second chance and needed a place
to work. So we're able to offer them some job opportunities,
and there are job coaches. Success coaches work alongside them
to help them reintegrate back into a work environment so
they can be successful.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
I love that, Yeah, I really do. You know, there's
nothing better for one soul than to feel valued and
to feel valuable. And I feel like what you're doing
makes a difference, and you do so much for so
many people to give them a sense of self worth.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I think meaningful employment does a lot for Yes, right,
it's not it's great for that individual, it's great for
their family, but it's great for our community, our city,
our state. It helps it helps everyone.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
It's a win all the way around. Yeah, Clinic, Yeah,
that I had no idea, because you got to think
there's there's folks out there that, for one reason or another,
maybe it's a language barrier or some educational barrier, cultural barrier,
just kind of slipped through the cracks and they're going, Wow,
how did I get here? Who can help me. Yeah,
(14:47):
Goodwill can help me.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Or when you're you know, eighteen nineteen and you you
make a mistake and you're with your life and you've
spent you know, the last fifteen years working, having a family,
doing all the right things, being a productive member of society,
but you still have that that little mark on your
on your record. And so it really helped a lot
of people clear that and move forward. And we think
(15:11):
we heard about, you know, job promotions, things that were
not available to them until they could get this removing
the record.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
So and just the relief of having that monkey off
your back. You know, it could just be a little
misdemeanor ticket that you ignored for too long, you know,
And so yeah, it's a we hope to do more
of those in the future. But the opportunity centers, you know,
we're having great success with that. We have plans to
open two more, one here on South Seneca that'll be
(15:42):
very work focused, manufacturing focused, and then we're also going
to be opening one in Emporia. Okay, so that'll be
coming later on this year. Goodwill on the move, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Planning for the future, Yeah, yeah, I bet you've got
a lot of exciting things the calendar coming up in
the in the months and years to come, don't you
we do.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
I think I feel like I mean, I've been here
a very short time, so four months, and it just
feels like every day there's something new we're doing or
we're exploring a new opportunity. I think we have great
partnerships with other businesses and organizations around the city and
the state, So it's really fun to see those kind
of develop and and see what will happen with those
(16:27):
and just look for other ways to open doors for
individuals through the education, training, and employment opportunities we offer.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
That's right, Yeah, that's right. Okay, Well, on Thursday, June
sixth June fifth, June fifth, On Thursday, June.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Fifth, definitely Thursday. When you're it's Thursday. It's definitely when
you get your plate.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Of John Balaya, be sure to take the bay leaf
off before you eat the.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Jumble and the little extra, little extra fiber. That's fine.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, but think about all the great things that happen
in Wichita is a result of Goodwill's involvement and good
Will's caring for this community.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Wow, you guys, it all starts at events like Cajun
Food fest Oka, right, and yeah, we've talked a lot
about the mission, but we should talk a little bit
about the event because I you know, I think that
meal is quite a draw. You got chicken at tufe,
red beans and rice with andwe sausage.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
You got to roll to soak all that stuff up.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
And then of course, as you mentioned, the delicious bread
pudding dessert. It's going to be fifteen dollars. Now, we
can't take food court tickets. I want to make that clear.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
So there is a separate booth.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
When you come up that will gladly take your money
or credit card. So the nice thing about Thursday, June fifth,
for Riverfest is that it's throwback Thursday. So if you
don't have a button, give me a call. I've got
plenty of old Riverfest buttons.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
I will, I will loan them out and I hang
on to them every year. For this kind of situation.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
You got to give it back to Justin.
Speaker 4 (17:59):
Yeah, yeah, and i'll uh, we'll put my address and
personal cell phone number in the description of this podcast.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
I love it, so you'll appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, give me a call, happy to chat.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
But still it's easy. Yeah, yeah, it's probably. Honestly, it's
probably going to be easier this year than it has
been in past years.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've really got this down to a science.
And again thank you to our our great volunteer groups,
are amazing event coordinators, the folks that are river Fest,
that keep everybody moving and having a good time. And
of course we're gonna have some great music that night,
so I think it'll be a beautiful night to come
out and have a meal with us.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Yeah. Yeah, it seems like the music always goes with
the food, you know. It's kind of a little bit
of a spice in that that night's artist and there's
a little bit of kick to that meal.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
And ma'am, yeah, I know, we got the mud Bugs
out there that night, you know, so I presume they'll
play some zydoco and we'll get the We've got Alan Stone,
I believe his headlinings right, it's quite a draw.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
And I love that zyd to Coe Man that that
always puts me in a great mood. Yeah, you know,
it's kind of like an extension of Marty Grass. Yeah yeah, yeah,
all right, looking forward to it. Thursday, June fifth, Yes, sir,
Downtown Wichita in the shadow of the Tripotal, so to speak.
I guess people don't talk about the tripotal too much,
(19:15):
but it's still there. And so it's there, and we
will look forward to visiting with our good friends from
Goodwill out there, and thank you guys for coming in.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
Our pleasure, thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
I always learn learn valuable things from Goodwill when you
come in, and you know, I think the one thing
I always come away with whenever we visit is the
the scope of your mission seems to be increasing and expanding,
and you rise to the occasion no matter what the
need is, you're there. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Well we have we have a large territory to serve,
you know, and so the proceeds and the revenue from
our retail stores they have to we have to take
that mission out there. We can't forget about our friends
in Western Kansas, and so we try as hard as
we can within reason and sure to bring that mission
to make it available for folks.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Okay, is that right? Well, the next time you take
a bag of clothing to donate, keep in mind that
you're doing a lot more than just taking those clothings. Yeah,
those clothing items there, And when you go shopping or
thrifting or the exciting new e commerce.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
Yeah, it's yeah, brand new. It's been around since nineteen
ninety seven. Actually, a fun fact on are the Goodwill
e commerce platform has actually been around longer than Walmart's
e commerce.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Platform Get out of Town.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Wow, kind of beat them to the punch.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Yeah, one of those.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
Kind of secret to places to find your collection and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
So you guys are working out it, yes, by all means,
we definitely will, and don't forget to check out the
website goodwillks dot org.
Speaker 4 (20:53):
Right, yeah, find us there, or check out our social
media of course, anywhere there's an APT symbol, just look
for Goods and you'll probably find us.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
All right. You guys are the good guys doing the
good work. Thank you, and it's Goodwill and we want
to thank Aaron Younkin. She is the chief communications officer
for Goodwill, and Justin Rupert our good buddy, director of
Marketing and Communications for Goodwill. Guys, it's always great to
see you have a wonderful Cajun food fest and a
great twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Thank you, don you so much.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
This has been the Wichita Weekend podcast produced by iHeartRadio
Wichita
This is the Wichita Weekend Podcast from iHeartRadio Stations ninety
seven point nine B ninety eight one oh two to one,
The Bowl Channel nine six three and All one oh
seven three. I'm your host, Don Guidas. Thanks for joining
us and our guests come to us from Goodwill Goodwill
Industries of Kansas. Right, that's correct. Right here in Wichita,
(00:22):
we have Director of Marketing and Communications, Justin Rupert. Hi.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Justin Hi, Don, thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Wonderful to have you here. Also, Aaron Yunkin is here.
She is the chief communications officer for Goodwill and brand
new and in your job so to speak.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Right, I am about four months in so thank you
for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Well, welcome, thank you for coming. It's an exciting time
of year for Goodwill, and I mean the top of
mind event with Goodwill right now. This time of year,
of course, is the Cajun Food Festival that happens during Riverfest.
And already I'm thinking about bread pudding.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Oh, you've got to be thinking about the bread pudding.
That bourbon custard sauce on top of that. That is
a that's you know, people may take the whole meal,
but they're there for the dessert.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
Office there for the dessert and you know, I've been
to several Cajun Food Fests and they're always fantastic. And
the one thing that really strikes me is the number
of volunteers you have working there and how you've got
this thing down to a science.
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Well, we've been doing about thirty seven years now, so
we've yeah, we've kind of figured some things out and
sometimes we make some adjustments, but we are obviously super
fortunate to have some very tremendous volunteer groups that come
out and help us. You know, there's a lot going
on at Riverfest and so it's hard to take it
all in. But if you come to the good Will
(01:46):
Industries of Kansas Cajun Food Fest, you're going to get
a great meal and probably have a good time. With
the concerts going on right next door. We're right there
on Kennedy Plaza, it'll be a blast. The good time
is unavoidable, that's true. You cannot miss the good The
good time will come and grab you by the throat.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
And you know the good times are going to happen,
and we are policing that. So if you're not having
a good time, we we've done something wrong, but we
promise you'll have a tremendous times we have.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
We have a good time talking about the Cajun Food Fest.
But the but the serious reason behind all this is
the Cajun Food Fest is one of the ways that
we help support the Goodwill overall mission.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, that's that's that's right.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
In addition to events like Cajun Food Fest, uh and
our retail stores which we have twenty retail stores across
the state of Kansas now and one donation center and
online we could go into that. These are the sort
of things that support our mission of transforming lives and
communities through the power of education, training and development. So
our mission is really centered around those three topics.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
You know.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
We offer adult education otherwise known as GED so individuals
adults can earn their high school diploma. We offer English
as a second language to English language learners. They can
also enroll in a citizenship program to begin that process
to earn their citizenship.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
Did not know that?
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Yeah, there's depth to our mission that most people aren't
aware of, and that's why they send me out to
shows like this so I can dig in a little.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Bit and get it all broadcast out there and let
people know what Goodwill is all about. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
I think a lot of folks are familiar that with
the idea that there is some good we do in
the community.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
They realize there's a.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
Mission and oftentimes people think, oh, I think you do
something with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. And that's true.
We have an adult day services program, but our our
education wing of the mission is much broader than people realize,
and it's it's really doing a lot, I think to
(03:47):
transform the community.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah. Well, let's talk a little bit about kind of
the manufacturing services segment that Goodwill has that I know
a lot of folks aren't really aware of.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Right.
Speaker 4 (03:58):
It's you know, we believe in the power of work, right,
and so so part of our mission involves manufacturing services
as part of our business services wing essentially, and so
there are a lot of jobs that we could be
providing minor jobs for other companies, so you know, subassembly,
kitting and packaging, product testing, aerospace insulation. There are a
(04:22):
lot of custom apparel. That's that's one of the big ones.
We have some industrial industrial strength, industrial sized describe it,
sewing machines in our headquarters on Northweb and so we
can we can produce just about anything from whole cloth
(04:43):
essentially right.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
And so if you have a company that makes something, yeah,
and you want to get it made right and contribute
to the mission a good Will timely fashion, yes, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
We are an ISO certified and manufacturing facility. And if
anybody listening knows what that means, great, Yeah, that's really
gonna ring a bell for you. But that essentially guarantees
a certain amount of quality and craftsmanship. So those those
opportunities are out there. And if if this, you know,
(05:15):
if this catches somebody's attention, please visit our website Goodwill
ks dot org and just fill out a little contact
form and we'll get you in touch with the right people.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Now, I've been to that website and there is a
ton of wonderful information on there for anybody in any capacity,
like like, you know, a question that comes to my
mind as a sort of a simple minded radio host,
if you will, is how do how do folks find you?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
How do they find us? Well?
Speaker 1 (05:46):
People find Goodwill?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
They you know, they find Goodwill for a number of reasons.
Either they're you know, they could be I don't know
if you're aware of this, but thrifting is very popular.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Actually I've heard that. Actually, kind i am, and you know,
I'm sure there's a ton of people out there who
got a great Goodwill find story.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
Yeah, yeah, so a lot of times that is their
first entry point they see, they see good deals and
bargains in our stores. And what we're trying to do
is really put some more of an emotional connection between
that shopping experience, because every shopper and donor that comes
through Goodwill is supporting our mission to the tune of
(06:25):
ninety cents out of every dome, so that oftentimes, you know,
it could just be I'm familiar with.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Goodwill because of the thrift stores.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
And but what we what we want to do is
kind of help bring awareness to the mission.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
There you go, There you go, So come for the
Halloween costume, but stick around for some of the real
information about what's happening there and how Goodwill is making
Wichita a better place to live in Kansas a better place.
You guys have twenty one did.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
You say twenty actual shopping locations, and then we have
a new concept, which is our Attended Donation Center. So
it is in West Wichita, and that is simply a
place where a person can pull up a door attendant
will come out to them, help them unload their car
with their donations and process and they're on the spot.
(07:14):
So not a shopping experience, but it makes the donation
process easier. It's we call it a donation express. The
idea of the concept just in and.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
Out real quickly.
Speaker 4 (07:24):
So we're trying to make donating more convenient for customers
on the west side of town.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Wow, was that good to know about? Where is that?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
You know?
Speaker 4 (07:33):
That is a Is that one nineteenth or one thirty
fifth and Maple?
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Okay, I think it's kind of the Auburn Hills, Yes,
very exactly. Yeah, oh that's okay. Yeah, yeah, I'm a
west side or so I think Memorial Day weekend tours
you never know.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Yeah yeah, but twenty shopping locations across our territory, so
as far out as Garden City, Hays, you know, Great Bend,
all the way up to Import Injunction City. We have
store locations.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
So all right, and.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
We also, I should say, we have an e commerce platform.
So if you're listening to this podcast, you're familiar with
how to shop online, I bet so go to shop
Goodwill dot Com slash ks and you can shop online,
kind of trying to make that convenient as well.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
So if I had something in mind that I was
looking for some antique or some retro item, whatever it
might be. It might be a lamp or a ash
tray or you name it, or a painting, Yeah, I
could kind of do some research on that online and
maybe put out my feelers and then when something that
(08:42):
might strike my interest comes up, I could check it out.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Absolutely. Yeah, you go to that site.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
It's pretty neat because it's part of the whole Goodwill
Industries international network, so you're not just shopping from donations
that came in via our territory in our stores, but
also across the country. So you can just type into
that search, I'm looking for an antique lamp, one of
those touch lamps that you have three different settings. The
cool thing about you know, if you if you end
(09:09):
up finding something from our location, you can go up
to our North Oliver store where the e comm is
located and skip the shipping and handling charges that would
come from shipping it all across the country.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Right, Wow, Yeah, who knew? I sure didn't. That's good
to know too, because there are some I'm sure that
all the really rabid collectors out there that are in
the know about thrifting are already into that. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:39):
Yeah, it's very great, neat place to find collectibles and
niche items that you may maybe collecting.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Or interesting kit cat clock or what.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:51):
Are you a big Coca Cola fan, you know you
need all the signs and whatnot. That's the place to go.
But you know, platforms like that and the retail stores,
you know, they support our mission. And one of the
things I kind of neglected to mention as it relates
to our mission is the kind of new concept called
our opportunity centers. I'm actually gonna let Aaron talk a
(10:14):
little bit about the opportunity centers because I think she
has a few things to say about.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Okay, Well, I was actually gonna gonna ask about the
opportunity centers and be able to talk about those. We
did open our first opportunity Opportunity center earlier this year
at the Evergreen Evergreen Library, Okay campus area in North Kansas. Yeah, yes, yeah, yep,
(10:40):
And so we're able to provide the English Language learning
classes there, the GED classes, and the goal of the
Opportunity Center is to remove the barrier of transportation or services.
So when we're able to open a location in a
neighborhood or in our community, we're able to take the
services we offer and and to provide them in that neighborhood.
(11:03):
So we take our services to the people that need them.
And then we're also able to partner with other nonprofit
organizations and allow them a space to come in and
provide things like United Way did their vite attack service
this year out of our Opportunity Center location. We've held
a FAFSA night.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
We just did.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
We just held one of the most successful expungement clinics
we think the States ever had, So we were able
to provide an expungement for I think over seventy eight individuals.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Wow, So tell us a little bit about that. What's
an expungement clinic.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
So, an expungement clinic is an opportunity for people who
have been involved with the justice system and have things
on their record that are eligible for expungement. So they
have to go through a process of qualifying for the expungement.
And we were able to partner with Kansas Legal Services
(12:02):
and Coke to they provided the lawyers for the event
and people were able to get qualified for the expungement.
They set up a time to come in, they were
able to meet with lawyers free of charge. Everything was
prepared for the expungement and those are able to be
filed now. So we saved people hundreds thousands of dollars
(12:26):
in legal fees and were able to let them continue
with their lives. And that was forward and move on
and you know, looking at employment opportunities, and we had
someone who wanted to be a foster parent who had
something from twenty years ago on their record, and so that.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Is amazing, that truly is that is absolutely life changing. Yeah,
and one of the things I had no idea that
this was available. Yeah, and it will.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
I think it ties into our you know, we've been
doing a little more work with our re entry services program,
so we also work with other individuals who are justice
involved and who are looking for a second chance, and
they're able to go through our program and earn the
high school diploma as well as a work certification through
(13:16):
WSUTECH and that allows them to move forward with their lives.
We know that it helps reduce the recidivism rate and
it's a better thing for our whole community. And I
think Justin mentioned the manufacturing services earlier. We were able
to add a second shift to our manufacturing services for
(13:38):
individuals who needed a second chance and needed a place
to work. So we're able to offer them some job opportunities,
and there are job coaches. Success coaches work alongside them
to help them reintegrate back into a work environment so
they can be successful.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
I love that, Yeah, I really do. You know, there's
nothing better for one soul than to feel valued and
to feel valuable. And I feel like what you're doing
makes a difference, and you do so much for so
many people to give them a sense of self worth.
Speaker 3 (14:12):
I think meaningful employment does a lot for Yes, right,
it's not it's great for that individual, it's great for
their family, but it's great for our community, our city,
our state. It helps it helps everyone.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
It's a win all the way around. Yeah, Clinic, Yeah,
that I had no idea, because you got to think
there's there's folks out there that, for one reason or another,
maybe it's a language barrier or some educational barrier, cultural barrier,
just kind of slipped through the cracks and they're going, Wow,
how did I get here? Who can help me. Yeah,
(14:47):
Goodwill can help me.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Or when you're you know, eighteen nineteen and you you
make a mistake and you're with your life and you've
spent you know, the last fifteen years working, having a family,
doing all the right things, being a productive member of society,
but you still have that that little mark on your
on your record. And so it really helped a lot
of people clear that and move forward. And we think
(15:11):
we heard about, you know, job promotions, things that were
not available to them until they could get this removing
the record.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
So and just the relief of having that monkey off
your back. You know, it could just be a little
misdemeanor ticket that you ignored for too long, you know,
And so yeah, it's a we hope to do more
of those in the future. But the opportunity centers, you know,
we're having great success with that. We have plans to
open two more, one here on South Seneca that'll be
(15:42):
very work focused, manufacturing focused, and then we're also going
to be opening one in Emporia. Okay, so that'll be
coming later on this year. Goodwill on the move, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Planning for the future, Yeah, yeah, I bet you've got
a lot of exciting things the calendar coming up in
the in the months and years to come, don't you
we do.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
I think I feel like I mean, I've been here
a very short time, so four months, and it just
feels like every day there's something new we're doing or
we're exploring a new opportunity. I think we have great
partnerships with other businesses and organizations around the city and
the state, So it's really fun to see those kind
of develop and and see what will happen with those
(16:27):
and just look for other ways to open doors for
individuals through the education, training, and employment opportunities we offer.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
That's right, Yeah, that's right. Okay, Well, on Thursday, June
sixth June fifth, June fifth, On Thursday, June.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Fifth, definitely Thursday. When you're it's Thursday. It's definitely when
you get your plate.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Of John Balaya, be sure to take the bay leaf
off before you eat the.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Jumble and the little extra, little extra fiber. That's fine.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Yeah, but think about all the great things that happen
in Wichita is a result of Goodwill's involvement and good
Will's caring for this community.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Wow, you guys, it all starts at events like Cajun
Food fest Oka, right, and yeah, we've talked a lot
about the mission, but we should talk a little bit
about the event because I you know, I think that
meal is quite a draw. You got chicken at tufe,
red beans and rice with andwe sausage.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
You got to roll to soak all that stuff up.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
And then of course, as you mentioned, the delicious bread
pudding dessert. It's going to be fifteen dollars. Now, we
can't take food court tickets. I want to make that clear.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
So there is a separate booth.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
When you come up that will gladly take your money
or credit card. So the nice thing about Thursday, June fifth,
for Riverfest is that it's throwback Thursday. So if you
don't have a button, give me a call. I've got
plenty of old Riverfest buttons.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
I will, I will loan them out and I hang
on to them every year. For this kind of situation.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
You got to give it back to Justin.
Speaker 4 (17:59):
Yeah, yeah, and i'll uh, we'll put my address and
personal cell phone number in the description of this podcast.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
I love it, so you'll appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, give me a call, happy to chat.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
But still it's easy. Yeah, yeah, it's probably. Honestly, it's
probably going to be easier this year than it has
been in past years.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've really got this down to a science.
And again thank you to our our great volunteer groups,
are amazing event coordinators, the folks that are river Fest,
that keep everybody moving and having a good time. And
of course we're gonna have some great music that night,
so I think it'll be a beautiful night to come
out and have a meal with us.
Speaker 1 (18:35):
Yeah. Yeah, it seems like the music always goes with
the food, you know. It's kind of a little bit
of a spice in that that night's artist and there's
a little bit of kick to that meal.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
And ma'am, yeah, I know, we got the mud Bugs
out there that night, you know, so I presume they'll
play some zydoco and we'll get the We've got Alan Stone,
I believe his headlinings right, it's quite a draw.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
And I love that zyd to Coe Man that that
always puts me in a great mood. Yeah, you know,
it's kind of like an extension of Marty Grass. Yeah yeah, yeah,
all right, looking forward to it. Thursday, June fifth, Yes, sir,
Downtown Wichita in the shadow of the Tripotal, so to speak.
I guess people don't talk about the tripotal too much,
(19:15):
but it's still there. And so it's there, and we
will look forward to visiting with our good friends from
Goodwill out there, and thank you guys for coming in.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
Our pleasure, thank you for having us.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
I always learn learn valuable things from Goodwill when you
come in, and you know, I think the one thing
I always come away with whenever we visit is the
the scope of your mission seems to be increasing and expanding,
and you rise to the occasion no matter what the
need is, you're there. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Well we have we have a large territory to serve,
you know, and so the proceeds and the revenue from
our retail stores they have to we have to take
that mission out there. We can't forget about our friends
in Western Kansas, and so we try as hard as
we can within reason and sure to bring that mission
to make it available for folks.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
Okay, is that right? Well, the next time you take
a bag of clothing to donate, keep in mind that
you're doing a lot more than just taking those clothings. Yeah,
those clothing items there, And when you go shopping or
thrifting or the exciting new e commerce.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
Yeah, it's yeah, brand new. It's been around since nineteen
ninety seven. Actually, a fun fact on are the Goodwill
e commerce platform has actually been around longer than Walmart's
e commerce.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Platform Get out of Town.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Wow, kind of beat them to the punch.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Yeah, one of those.
Speaker 4 (20:41):
Kind of secret to places to find your collection and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
So you guys are working out it, yes, by all means,
we definitely will, and don't forget to check out the
website goodwillks dot org.
Speaker 4 (20:53):
Right, yeah, find us there, or check out our social
media of course, anywhere there's an APT symbol, just look
for Goods and you'll probably find us.
Speaker 1 (21:02):
All right. You guys are the good guys doing the
good work. Thank you, and it's Goodwill and we want
to thank Aaron Younkin. She is the chief communications officer
for Goodwill, and Justin Rupert our good buddy, director of
Marketing and Communications for Goodwill. Guys, it's always great to
see you have a wonderful Cajun food fest and a
great twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Thank you, don you so much.
Speaker 1 (21:24):
This has been the Wichita Weekend podcast produced by iHeartRadio
Wichita
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