Portland-For the second year in a row, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is partnering with Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) to produce a student designed fashion show. The show, called Runway Remix, will be held at John Ford Auditorium on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at the door, $5 for adults, Children under 12 are free.

The night will feature a silent auction with sought after items such as two donated Angela Adams bags and handcrafted garden bonnets. Whole Foods Market has pitched in by catering dinner for the students, and Kim Block from News Channel WGME 13 is the night’s emcee. Some of the show’s proceeds will benefit Goodwill’s Pediatric Brain Injury Programs.

Students from South Portland, Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, Deering, and Westbrook High Schools make up PATHS Fashion-Merchandising class. They have spent the better part of their semester designing and re-creating fashions purchased at Goodwill. During Runway Remix, the students will model their one-of-kind designs. This year’s show features an exploration of fashion history from the 1920’s to the present, with highlights of polka dot, garden, the little black dress as well as a prediction of fashion in the future.

“Like last year, we are working with very talented students who are excited about showcasing their designs during Runway Remix,” says Jean Salce, Director of Marketing at Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, “The event highlights what partnerships are about.”

The Goodwill / PATHS partnership allows students to learn the value of shopping at Goodwill, where funds help support programs for people with disabilities. The students also learn the basics of community service and the importance of giving back, while gaining experience in managing and planning an event. To learn more about Goodwill’s human service programs visit www.goodwillnne.org.

Portland-Goodwill Industries of Northern New England warns the public of a scam using their name. The scam targets individuals by sending them a letter via mail, email, or fax indicating they’ve won the “Goodwill Lotto” or the “Goodwill International Lotto”.

In some reported cases, a check for a smaller amount is sent, with instructions to cash it and mail part of the money back for transaction fees. Your bank account information is also required. After the checks are cashed, scammers use the information to empty your account.

Goodwill is not affiliated with this scam. Please disregard any notifications with the “Goodwill Lotto” name. If you believe you’ve been scammed please contact your local police.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 186 Goodwill agencies in United States and Canada, and fifteen other countries. For more information visit www.goodwillnne.org

Portland-The Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England announces their selection of Michael Coughlin as the next Executive Director of their organization.

“From the many highly qualified candidates who sought the position, Mike has a unique combination of skills that made him our clear choice,” said Matt Hunter, Director and Chair of the Search Committee.

Coughlin previously was National Director of Client Services and Vice President for Research and Development for CHC- Working Well, a Canadian behavioral health provider ranked as one of the 50 best managed, private companies in the country. He also served as Vice President of Operations for Warren Shepell consultants of Canada, where he oversaw 28 offices spread across Canada and led a professional staff of 1,200 which served some 70,000 clients each year.

For the last four years, Coughlin has served as the Executive Director of Genesis Behavioral Health, a Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center that serves the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Under his leadership, Genesis has grown its revenues by a third, markedly expanded its partnerships with other organizations, and improved its quality of care.

Coughlin holds a Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University and began his career as a child care worker and counselor. Coughlin will succeed Dr. Kevin Baack, who is retiring in early May having served as Goodwill’s Executive Director for three decades.

“In so many ways Dr. Baack has shaped Goodwill into the dynamic organization that it is today,” says Judith Stone, President of Goodwill Board of Directors. “Whoever succeeded him would have a tremendous challenge before them,” Stone continues, “We are confident, that based on both Mike’s past accomplishments and his deep interest in the mission and future of Goodwill, that he will be able to build upon the work Dr. Baack has done.”

“I am privileged to be joining a tremendous Board and staff at Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, to continue the work started by Dr. Helms 105 years ago,” says Coughlin. “It is an honor – and a little daunting – to be following in the footsteps of Dr. Kevin Baack, who has led Goodwill for so long, and who has helped it become one of the strongest nonprofit agencies in New England. I promise to dedicate myself to honoring the work of those who came before, by maintaining the values and traditions that have made Goodwill so successful, by always remembering the clients we serve, and by looking for innovations that will shape our next 100 years.”

Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has been a community resource since 1933. Its programs are offered for people who live with disabilities or other disadvantages with a mission of promoting independence and community inclusion. Goodwill’s four major program areas are Employment Services, Brain Injury Services, Deaf Services, and Developmental Disability Services providing support for over 4,000 people throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. These programs are funded in part by the revenues from Goodwill’s 23 retail stores.

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 185 local, autonomous Goodwill Industries organizations in the United States and Canada, and 45 international associate members in 34 countries. For more information visit www.goodwillnne.org