Wilberto “Robert” Alvarez, a supervisor at Goodwill’s Astoria Industrial Contract shop, was selected to receive a scholarship to participate at Goodwill Industries International’s advocacy portion of the Spring Learning and Advocacy Event in Washington, D.C. this April.
Mr. Alvarez, an Astoria, Queens resident, first came to Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey in 1993. He was interested in two services our Goodwill had to offer: barrier-free apartments and a job. Mr. Alverez has lived in Goodwill Terrace, our on-site accessible apartment building since coming to the agency.
Mr. Alverez first worked in-house as a client doing assembly and packaging work at Goodwill’s industrial contract shop and donated goods processing center. He then moved to a unit that splices and cuts cable to size for Con Edison and later was promoted to head the department. Reflecting his exemplary work, Mr. Alvarez became a full-time Goodwill employee in 1997.
In 1998, Mr. Alverez was chosen from among Goodwill program graduates across the country to receive one of GII’s highest honors, the Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff. But that was just the beginning. Mr. Alverez’s charisma and love for Goodwill makes him one of the agency’s best spokespersons. He often speaks to the local media and legislators to describe the good work Goodwill does on behalf of its constituents.
Mr. Alverez served as an advocate for the Goodwill movement while meeting with Members of
Congress on behalf of our Goodwill.
Congratulations Wilberto!