Community Corner

Notable Neighbor: Woman's Job Search with Goodwill Ends in Success

Armbruster is a success story of Missouri's division of vocational rehabilitation and MERS/Goodwill.

Hidden treasures can be found daily at many local Goodwill stores. However, it is a little known fact that the proceeds from your next shopping excursion may help someone like Mary Armbruster find employment, which can be a priceless gift in our country’s economic state.

After spending 12 years as an exemplary employee at the discount department store chain Value City, Armbruster became another casualty of the economic downturn when the store closed its doors. She then turned to MERS/Goodwill and Missouri’s division of vocational rehabilitation for help.

“I had worked with MERS/Goodwill before and knew about them,” Armbruster said. “I had used them back in 1996 when I started working at Grandpa’s (another store chain).”

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MERS/Goodwill is a nonprofit agency that provides for the vocational needs of individuals who have barriers to employment through disability or economic disadvantage. The agency serves more than 23,000 individuals annually and it operates in 61 locations in 71 counties in the bi-state area. Revenue from 40 Goodwill stores assist with funding MERS/Goodwill job training and employment services, and Armbruster knew she could count on the agency to help.

John Campbell has been a case manager at Goodwill for two years. He took on Armbruster’s case, looking at what changes needed to be made to her resume after 12 years of employment.

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“Everything starts with your resume. I looked at Mary’s resume and asked Mary what changes she should like to make,” Campbell said. “We made decisions together on what we needed to change and what we wanted to do.” 

Since Armbruster had worked mainly in retail, the pair focused on applying for retail jobs. Campbell helped her to apply online and assisted her in assessment questions, positive job interview questions and appropriate interview mannerisms.

“She knew what it was to be a good employee and stay at a job once she got there, it had just been a long time for her to be in a job interview,” Campbell said.

It just so happened that the in Sunset Hills was hiring a part-time service clerk, and Armbruster lives in Sunset Hills. She has now been employed there since September 2010. As a part-time service clerk, Armbruster is responsible for greeting customers, running the cash register, some light stocking and general store cleaning. She also has bonded with both team members and the community. In fact, she has received customer praise both online at Walgreens.com and over the phone.

One evening, a customer sought out Armbruster for help when unable to find an item in the store. After the helpful encounter, the customer later called Armbruster’s manager, praising her for a job well done. This was Armbruster’s proudest moment of 2010, and Campbell also couldn’t be happier about her success. 

“Mary always has a smile on her face,” he said. “She is always upbeat and in a good mood. She came to classes and meetings dressed for interviews. She was a good influence on other clients. She even came back to help out with other classes, talking about her experience, interviewing and keeping a job for a long time. She is a great example for other people.”

A holiday potluck last December, an occasional fundraiser for various charities allowing jeans on Fridays, a Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drive, and a blood drive in August, have all contributed to Armbruster’s love of her job. 

“Some people joke that I should be a politician because I get along with everybody,” Armbruster said. “It helps to have good camaraderie with employees and to be able to tell jokes.”

Campbell said that it’s important to note that MERS/Goodwill isn’t just a thrift store.

“The money that is spent in the stores helps people find employment,” he said. “Helping people like Mary who will come in and do a good job for an employer—Mary is a great example of that.

For more information about MERS/Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call 314-241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.


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