Across the country, not-for-profits benefit from ReEmployAbility participants. We talked with the Nearly New Shop in Louisville, Kentucky, to see how ReEmployAbility helps injured workers and the community in Louisville.
The Nearly New Shop is the primary fundraising vehicle for the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Louisville Section, a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates that has been making positive changes in the lives of women, children and families since 1895.
Briefly describe your organization’s goals for the community you serve.
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
One of NCJW’s long term projects has been its 20-year involvement with Court Watch. This partnership led to the recent creation of the Jefferson Family Recovery Court, which helps parents with drug and alcohol addiction get the help they need while ensuring their children’s needs are also met. NCJW was able to raise over $500,000 to start this program.
In addition, proceeds from the Nearly New Shop and fundraising events make it possible for NCJW to help sponsor Keystone Learning Academy, Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C), and Gilda’s Club, a week-long summer camp for children affected by cancer.
NCJW also supports Maryhurst, which offers counseling, foster care, residential treatment, and transitional housing for young people.
Madeline Abramson, an NCJW member and longtime Maryhurst advocate said, “The two organizations seemed to be a natural fit given the fact that Maryhurst serves predominantly abused and neglected girls.”
How has your experience been with ReEmployAbility’s Transition2Work participants?
We have enjoyed having Transition2Work participants as we are always behind in preparing our donations for sale. The people have been very easy to work with and are intelligent and capable volunteers. They are frequently out of their element, but still very competent and productive.
In your opinion, how does the injured worker benefit from participating in T2W or volunteering in their community?
I think that the volunteers that I have had are usually impressed with all that we do with the money generated by the shop and they have all been flabbergasted at the generosity of our donor base and all of the great items that the shop has to sell.
What is the most important message that you would like to relay to the readers about your organization?
We would not be able to provide the funds to support community agencies without volunteers. This is a great program and as a non-profit, we are grateful to ReEmployAbility, Inc. for providing us with quality help at no expense to us!
What is the best way readers can sign up to volunteer?
To volunteer, or become an NCJW member (we are open to all ethnicities and genders) call the NCJW office at 502-458-5566 or the Nearly New Shop at 502-454-6633. We also have sign-up sheets available in the Shop at the service desk.
