Last week, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce kicked off the series of events marking our 125th anniversary with a day spent giving back to the community. Ohio Chamber Gives Back is a volunteer effort which partnered with Goodwill Columbus.
Specifically, Ohio Chamber staff participated in “The Community Experience,” a part of Goodwill’s Young Adult Services program. The idea behind this program is to provide opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, ages 18-44, to become involved in the community. This involvement is important for these young adult participants, building socialization, health and safety and self-direction skills. Most of all, they are able to build interpersonal relationships, as Ohio Chamber staff experienced firsthand.
Held at Franklin Park Indoor Adventure Center, the day was filled with games, laughs and a little friendly competition. The participants created their own teams to take on the relay of Olympic-themed games set up by the volunteers. The round would begin with oversized bowling, then to completing a puzzle, to shooting baskets, to balloon hockey, to hula-hoops and finished with the team crossing the finish line together. Whether people chose to participate in the relay or sit and cheer from the sidelines, the energy was high and rewarding.
Spending the day volunteering gave Ohio Chamber staff one-on-one experience with the inspiring participants of this program and the empowering services Goodwill offers. It’s easy to see what a positive influence that not only Goodwill has on its participants, but the participants have on everyone around them.
“Ohio Chamber Gives Back was a great opportunity for our staff to have a chance to give back to the community,” said Ohio Chamber President & CEO, Andy Doehrel, of the day’s event.
For more information about Goodwill’s Young Adult Services program, please email [email protected] or call 614.274.5296 x233. More information on all of the programs they offer can be found on Goodwill Columbus’s website.
