Individuals and Community Recognized at Goodwill’s Annual Breakfast Event
Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc. (Goodwill) honored individuals and community partners from the greater Cleveland area at its annual Power of Work breakfast today at Embassy Suites (5800 Rockside Woods Blvd. N, Independence, OH 44131). This event allows Goodwill to report back to the community on its mission programs, operations and overall impact locally.
“Our annual Power of Work breakfast gives us an opportunity to share the success stories of our participants and recognize the outstanding work of area businesses and community leaders,” said Anne Richards, President and CEO of Goodwill.
This year’s breakfast was generously sponsored by The Emotional Relief Fund, Cuyahoga County Board of Development Disabilities, Huntington Bank, Faircrest Door, M. Conley Company, Regent Products Corp. and Reddy Equipment Inc., and featured Paralympian Eric McElvenny as the keynote speaker.
The breakfast highlighted the mission programs offered by Goodwill across the greater Cleveland area. Goodwill presented the following annual awards:
- Latasia Powell was honored as Achiever of the Year. Powell worked with Goodwill after struggling to find a stable job to support herself and her daughter. With Goodwill’s help, she was able to find a full-time job at University Hospital that would work with her schedule and needs.

- Patrisha Anderson received the Edgar J. Helms Outstanding Achiever Award. Anderson sought assistance from Goodwill after being out of the workforce for a year, dealing with family issues and loss. Goodwill worked with Anderson to improve her confidence and help her find a fulfilling job at Glidden House.

- Mason Slusarz received the Graduate of the Year Award. Slusarz started with Goodwill in 2021 in the summer youth work experience program. He was able to work through some barriers and came back in 2023 for an assessment, where he was able to build his skills. He applied to work at Goodwill and landed the job.

- Ken Weber Servant Leadership Award: Goodwill employee Megan Clow was the recipient of this recognition, named in honor of former CEO Ken Weber and given for her dedication and leadership to the mission of Goodwill.

- NERC, Northeast Reintegration Center received the Collaborative Partner of the Year award. NERC’s mission is to reduce recidivism and crime rates among those they touch. To help meet their mission, NERC partnered with Goodwill’s Employment G.P.S. program to allow Goodwill mission staff to come into their facility and work directly with the inmates providing social service navigation, financial education and preparation for employment after leaving the facility.

In 2023, Goodwill helped impact nearly 17,000 local lives and diverted more than 25 million pounds of materials from landfills.