Train diligently.
Work confidently.
See lives improved.
Be well-informed.
"LOOK AT ME NOW!" Goodwill Tulsa Award Winners 2013
5/6/2014We recognized these inspiring people at our annual awards luncheon May 6, 2014.
Kelsey O'Halloran, Employee of the Year
Kelsey began working at Goodwill in July 2012, as a donation attendant at the 38th and Harvard locations. Kelsey greets donors with a wide smile, helps take donations into the work site and offers tax receipts with true gratitude and appreciation. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and say a kind word.This comes naturally to Kelsey who was born with Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition that is characterized by medical problems including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. These occur side by side with strikingly advanced verbal abilities, highly social personalities and a love for music. The ongoing medical issues can cause anyone to have a bad day or even a series of bad days, but Kelsey carries on despite the challenges, always striving for a successful day on the job.
Abigail Abate, Achiever of the Year
Before moving to Oklahoma, Abigail studied at Coffeyville Community College. There she developed a tutoring program for School District 445 in Coffeyville, KS, where she was responsible for 175 volunteers; matching them with students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Then everything changed. A few years ago, Abigail had a brain aneurysm, leaving her with lasting residual effects. Her short-term memory was greatly affected, requiring a significant amount of concentration for her to learn new things. Abigail made the decision to begin using Goodwill Job Connection in 2013 and soon learned of all the other services and training programs that where available through Goodwill's TulsaWORKS. She dove right in.
Kyler Patrick, Graduate of the Year
Kyler Patrick began his association with Goodwill when he was a high school senior in 2011. He was a student in Goodwill's Transitional Work Adjustment Program in Owasso. He received classroom instruction on what was expected from employers in the workplace, how to take instruction from supervisors and how to behave on the job. After graduating from Owasso High School in spring 2012, Kyler took a year off to spend time with his family and decide what he wanted to do next. He then felt that it was time to go to work. In May 2013, Kyler was referred to Goodwill's Supported Employment Program.
