Uncommonly Good Job Fair: 12/21!

This year is our First Annual Uncommonly Good Job Fair with Workforce1 and the EDC. The job fair will be exclusive to the 2016 UncommonGoods Seasonal Team from 10am-Noon and then open to the community from noon-3:00pm. All seasonal team members are encouraged and welcome to attend!

Location: Brooklyn Army Terminal Lobby

Time: 10:00am-3:00pm

Please bring: 10 copies of your resume

There will be representatives from Duane Reade, GSI, Family Dollar, Allied Universal Security Services, Swissport, Lee Springs, and more! Workforce1 will have employment agents on hand to additionally offer information on positions available at 20 additional organizations.

If you can not make the job fair, but would like to learn about future opportunities for employment, please reach out to us at HR@uncommongoods.com and we'll direct you to an agent at Workforce1.

Snacks and refreshments will be served!

December Anniversaries

It takes a certain kind of person to begin to work for UncommonGoods during our peak season. Congratulations to our December starts who together have been here for a total of 30 Seasons, which is two seasons longer than The Simpsons have been on the air. 

• Dong Chen: 9 Seasons
• MC Halfpenny: 7 Seasons
• Candace Gregory: 5 Seasons
• Kelvin Eweka: 3 Seasons
• Gregorio Pantaleon: 3 Seasons
• Megan Stickel: 2 Seasons
• Justin Palamaro: 1 Season

December Birthdays

Happy birthday to our December births. You share a birth month with Jay-Z and Taylor Swift. We hope your year is filled with happiness and brunch!

Nicole	Bryant	December, 2
Qyadasia	Clarke	December, 2
Arnold	Jaglal	December, 3
Kayla	Boyce	December, 3
Thelor	Sainvilus	December, 3
Indira	Gordon-Williams	December, 4
Samesha	Forbes	December, 4
Thomas	Cheeseboro	December, 4
Jennifer	Benitez	December, 5
Rich Michel	Jean-Baptiste	December, 5
Michael	Wilcher	December, 6
Mujahid	Joseph	December, 6
Ricardo	Santiago	December, 6
Darrin	Harrison	December, 7
Hollyann	Phillips	December, 7
Jazmine	Balmaseda	December, 8
Kasharla	Grant	December, 8
Matthew	Disla	December, 8
Dennis	Asencio	December, 9
Efeosa	Isibon	December, 9
Jasmare	Chaplin	December, 9
Kasuneike	Burnett	December, 9
Kenesha	Phillip	December, 9
Jesus	Cruz	December, 10
Mike	Bui	December, 10
Naboth	Jaboin	December, 10
Ashante	Mobley-Edwards	December, 11
Jaylene	Conyers	December, 11
William	Best	December, 11
Tiffany	Lawrence	December, 14
Gregorio	Pantaleon	December, 15
Kevin	Mombelly	December, 15
Ronnette	Jackson	December, 15
Kevin	Franco	December, 16
Michael	Tlatelpa	December, 16
Justin	Smith	December, 17
Stephen	Abrams	December, 17
Manana	Gvelesiani	December, 18
Mark	Clayton	December, 18
Ngozi	Aberdeen	December, 18
Randolph	Ward	December, 18
Vanuska	Sylvester	December, 18
Akeem	Mills	December, 20
Asiyah	Whitehurst	December, 20
Darryl	Johnson	December, 20
Johnny	Carrasco	December, 20
Nakita	Newton	December, 20
Shari	Branic	December, 20
Sharon	Santana	December, 20
Tina	Yip	December, 20
Giovanna	Rosario	December, 23
Tiana	Roberts	December, 24
Jonatan	Iyayi	December, 25
Teresa	Checo	December, 25
Amika	Brown	December, 26
Jessica	Zhang	December, 26
Toni	Smith	December, 26
Akeem	White	December, 28
Algernon	Alleng	December, 28
Blayn	Crosson	December, 28
Chantel	Simmons	December, 28
Emmanuel	Rodriguez	December, 28
Michael	Bentford	December, 28
Sherrill	Williams	December, 28
Gina	Lee	December, 29
Malik	Robinson	December, 29
Morgan	Magee	December, 29
Ariell	Ballard	December, 30
Beatriz	Jimenez Ceron	December, 30
Fanrong	Xiao	December, 30
Gwenzi	Gibson	December, 30
Sharee	Hereford	December, 30
Storme	Addams	December, 30
Victoria	Joyce	December, 30
Andy	Jacques	December, 31
Celia	Groeneveldt	December, 31
Kiya	McMillian	December, 31
Michael	Smalls	December, 31
Rashawn	Harris	December, 31
Tahj	Horsford	December, 31

Performance Review Team Member Training Video

Reach Out and Give Book and Toy Drive

What: Toy Drive for NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers

When: Now through December 21

How: You can bring in toys to the Human Resources Team in 2B or order the gifts from their list online (request a link to that page from HR@uncommongoods.com).

Price Range: All gifts of any price that meet the criteria will be accepted. The wish list ranges in price starting at $2.99

Further Information: This season, we are thrilled to help support our Local NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers (where our local Reach Out and Read Locations are located) that are in need of books and toys to help engage and build relationships with children accessing their services and help low-income and new immigrant families provide children a nurturing environment that fosters learning, imagination, and social and emotional skills.  To be a part of it, please donate items that match the following criteria or reach out to HR@uncommongoods.com for a list of goods that can be bought online.

Holiday Discounts of 20% Off!

As an UncommonGoods team member you are eligible for an exclusive holiday discount at the following establishments. You can find the discount code by looking at the November team update email or can request it by emailing HR@uncommongoods.com:

Lehman's has offers simple products that simply work. Their products include Health & Wellness, Home & Decor, Kitchen & Food, Lamps & Lighting, Stoves & Appliances, Toys & Books.

King Arthur Flour can be a one-stop shop for all your baking needs. Whether it is a pan, ingredients, or a new go-to recipe, King Arthur Flour has it all.

Gardener's Supply Company sells tools, plants, and much more. The perfect place to find the gift for your favorite gardener (they'll give it two green thumbs up!),

Note: Additional discounts are offered at Turn 5, AmericanMuscle.com, and ExtremeTerrain.com.

Aspire Federal Credit Union Membership

ALL UncommonGoods team members and their family members are now eligible for free membership with Aspire Federal Credit Union.

• November 18

• November 28

• December 5

• December 12

The Aspire team has developed a page on their website with information about Aspire, how they can help you financially, and great resources.

While you're there, you can also apply for membership online. New members will receive $5 for opening an account with Aspire by using the promo code UNCOMMONGOODS.

If you are curious to learn more about Aspire FCU and would like to speak with a representative in person, representatives will be available on-site in the lobby area of 5B on the following dates:

Please note: You can also sign up for an appointment at UncommonGoods to meet with a Financial Empowerment Counselor from The Neighborhood Trust. Contact HR@uncommongoods.com for further information.

Financial Empowerment Counseling

We are excited to announce the launch of a new benefit for all members of UncommonGoods!  This year, we've partnered with Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners to offer a free, unbiased financial counseling service that you can take advantage of right here at work. Neighborhood Trust has been helping New Yorkers achieve their financial goals for over 20 years, and they’re eager to begin working with us.

Their service is completely free, confidential, and unbiased. They can help you reduce debt, improve your credit, and save for the future – whatever goals you may have, Neighborhood Trust can help you achieve them.

A financial counselor will be at our Brooklyn Army Terminal headquarters for one-on-one sessions on the following days:

• Thursday, 11/10: 10am - 6pm
• Wednesday, 11/16: 10am - 6pm
• Friday, 11/18: 9am - 4pm
• Friday, 12/2: 10am - 6pm
• Wednesday, 12/7: 10am - 6pm
• Thursday, 12/8: 10am - 6pm
• Wednesday, 12/14: 10am - 6pm
• Friday, 12/16: 10am - 6pm
• Tuesday, 12/20: 10am - 6pm
• Wednesday, 12/21: 10am - 6pm
• Tuesday, 12/27: 10am - 6pm
• Thursday, 12/29: 10am - 6pm

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a thirty (30) minute, 1:1 private appointment, please contact HR@uncommongoods.com

November Anniversaries

Did you know that this month marks the 26th anniversary of Home Alone's release date? Other notable anniversaries include our team members celebrating their work anniversary with us this month:

• Jeffrey Mayer, 11 Years
• Tawana Chung, 10 Years
• Daniella Lee, 9 Years
• Bernadette Brown, 7 Years
• Cassie Jo Tweten Delaney, 6 Years

  

  Happy anniversary to our November starts!

• Raymundo Franco Jr., 5 Years
• Sheronne Peters, 5 Years
• Ace Saliu, 4 Years
• Victoria Golann, 4 Years
• Thomas Mascaro, 3 Years
• Colleen Oflaherty, 3 Years
• Eileen Skinner, 3 Years
• Jean Pierre-Louis, 3 Years
• Reginald Philbert, 3 Years
• Jessica Zhang, 3 Years
• Aquiles Nunez, 3 Years
• Edwin Morales, 3 Years
• Rebecca Doyle, 3 Years
• Johnny Santos, 2 Years
• Claire Whitehead, 2 Years
• Kevin McNamara, 2 Years
• Sean Cullen, 2 Years
• Celia Groeneveldt, 2 Years
• Caridad Belette, 2 Years
• Kristine Osborne, 1 Year

November Birthdays

Happy birthday to our team members celebrating in November. 

• KaTrina Horton: 11/1
• Lauren Guberman: 11/1
• David Mabry: 11/2
• Michael Stewart: 11/2

  

  What an honor it is to share a birth month with me, Ryan Gosling.

• Mumina Barnes: 11/3
• Nanci McArdle: 11/3
• Jason Walters: 11/4
• Shelby Hopkins: 11/4
• Inayah DeJesus: 11/5
• Christopher Connell: 11/7
• Paul Ayala: 11/8
• Shawn Rodgers: 11/8
• Chaklene West: 11/9
• Destiny Garcia: 11/9
• Kristine Osborne: 11/9
• Nancy Ingargiola: 11/9
• Rasheena Wright: 11/10
• Mardochee Fleurima: 11/11
• Sabrina Wise: 11/11
• Terrence Alexandre: 11/11
• Dekoda Arrington: 11/14
• Edouard Alcindor: 11/14
• Eric Jackson-Forsberg: 11/14
• Quan'neisha Brown: 11/14
• Jeanette Hernandez: 11/15
• Ngaio Lipscombe: 11/15
• Ramon Jimenez: 11/15
• Schemia Rowan: 11/15
• Sean Alston: 11/15
• Jeffrey Moyd: 11/16
• Ken-Henri Roundtree: 11/17
• Aisha Bush: 11/18
• Devon Wyatt: 11/19
• Manuel Sosa-Rodriguez: 11/19
• Malcolm Bullen: 11/20
• Matthew Bullen: 11/20
• Chloe Mina: 11/21
• Angelo Romero: 11/22
• Ariel Araza: 11/22
• Ebony Holmes: 11/22
• Marcus Bowers: 11/23
• Owen Gooding: 11/23
• Anthony Irizarry: 11/24
• Max Oswald-Sells: 11/26
• Tamisha Alexander: 11/26
• Jena Perry: 11/27
• Megan Stickel: 11/27
• Qiana Lewis: 11/27
• Sabrina Terry: 11/27
• Andre Lawes: 11/28
• Cory Baker: 11/28
• Paulina Cruz: 11/30

October Anniversaries

Happy anniversary to our team members that celebrated their anniversary with us in October:

Sharon and Keshia have worked here for 11 years.
The Garden Cairn has 11 rocks. Coincidence? Probably.

• Sharon Chin, 11 years
• Keshia Kellman, 11 years
• Kenya Wilson, 9 years
• Jonathan Medina, 7 years
• Valerie Baloga, 6 years
• Giovanna Rosario, 6 years
• Kevin Davis, 5 years
• Solomon Ademuwagun, 5 years
• Jacqueline Udden, 5 years
• Marisa Bowe, 5 years
• Nequana Rollings, 5 years
• Akeem Simon, 4 years
• McGary Johnson, 4 years
• Arnold Pittman, 4 years
• Monique Rodgers, 4 years
• Seon Charles, 4 years
• Kenesha Phillip, 4 years
• Robert Colon, 4 years
• Patrick Jean-Felix, 4 years
• Michael Cadet, 4 years
• Sharon Santana, 4 years
• Micah Telesford, 4 years
• Rudy Mathelier, 3 years
• Nanyamka Patterson, 3 years
• Thomas Romero, 3 years
• Darshawn Patterson, 3 years
• Anita Cheung, 2 years
• Chloe Mina, 2 years
• Susanna Lee, 2 years
• Elisha Janas, 2 years
• Bryan Reese, 2 years
• Kenneth Cooke, 2 years
• Joseph Bogdos, 2 years
• Gerard Connolly, 1 year
• Yamene Karthikeyan, 1 year
• Craig Belson, 1 year
• Glenn Canavan, 1 year

October Birthdays

What does Snoop Dogg, Alicia Silverstone, and Manut Bol have in common? They all share a birth month with these members of our team:

Manute hopes your birth-month was rockin'

• Sunny the Elephant: 10/24
• Joshua  Betancourt: 10/1
• Darnash Brice: 10/2
• MC Halfpenny: 10/3
• Michael Colon: 10/5
• Faiyaz Ali: 10/5
• Courtney Tingle: 10/5
• Jessica Marrero: 10/6
• Candace Gregory: 10/7
• Dominique Smith:10/8
• Timothy Mitchell Jr.: 10/9
• Marisa Bowe: 10/10
• Andrew Jeter: 10/10
• Nicole Saunders: 10/10
• Christopher Bishop: 10/10
• Ja-lell Dawkins: 10/10
• Glenford Lee: 10/11
• Anisa Workman: 10/11
• Nadiyah Boone: 10/11
• Joanne Barrios: 10/11
• Kimberly McFoy: 10/12
• Tyneisha Williams: 10/12
• Jessica Munoz: 10/12
• Joe Bogdos: 10/13
• Gabrielle Germaine: 10/13
• Westly Miller: 10/14
• Kim Knight: 10/15
• Martin Keenaghan: 10/15
• Paul Allison: 10/16
• Cassie Jo Tweten Delaney: 10/16
• Garvin Degale: 10/16
• Nurudeen Afolabi: 10/17
• Julio Abel: 10/17
• Anthony Kelley: 10/17
• Debra Baptiste: 10/18
• Brandon McGirt: 10/18
• Dominique Edwards: 10/19
• Quashaun Bethea: 10/20
• Brazilia Bull: 10/20
• Amanda Baker: 10/21
• Stephon Telfer: 10/21
• Aaron Gilliam: 10/21
• Evashawn Burrison: 10/23
• Donte Burns: 10/24
• Ana Rios: 10/25
• Susanna Lee: 10/26
• Matthew Monsees: 10/28
• Rachel Orlow: 10/28
• Nakia Bronson: 10/29
• Hiu Nam Tse: 10/30
• Johnny Alvarez: 10/30
• Augustina Ekeh: 10/30
• Kirk Caby: 10/31
• Branden Romero-Aiken: 10/31
• Shemiqua Chung: 10/31

September Birthdays

A happy birthday to all of our team members celebrating in September!

Is there a better gift for a September son or daughter
than our September Sun Socks?

• Jillian Brendlen: 9/1
• Sharon Hitchcock: 9/2
• Antoine Bishop: 9/9
• Afolabi Saliu: 9/10
• Andrenique Davis: 9/10
• Bradley Allen: 9/12
• Colleen O’Flaherty: 9/13
• Laura Cabrera: 9/13
• Turon Johnson: 9/18
• Abigail Treut: 9/23
• Akeem Simon: 9/24
• Christina Armstrong: 9/25
• Ryan Campbell: 9/26
• Andrei Gaidai: 9/28
• Shao Li: 9/28

September Anniversaries

Happy Tin Anniversaries with UG to Brian and Gaby!

• Brian Hashemi: 120 snacks (10 years)
• Gaby Germaine: 120 snacks (10 years)
• Alberto Tingson: 60 snacks (5 years)
• Philomena DelGiudice: 60 snacks (5 years)
• Jason Gomer:  60 snacks (5 years)
• Shana King: 60 snacks (5 years)
• Rachel Goldstein:  48 snacks (4 years)
• Lauren Rasnake: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Abigail Treut: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Vera Thompson: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Gloria Polanco: 48 snacks (4 years) 
• Paul Allison: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Emily Dryden: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Joel Villa: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Samesha Forbes: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Andrei Gaidai: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Nicholas Spano: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Ayanna Jordan: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Fabian Garcia: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Dominique Smith: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Louise Geller: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Jennifer Coleman: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Maximo Pena: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Ali Albedawi: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Michael Stokes: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Michael Guillette: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Yvette Tse: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Caitlin-Marie Miner: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Chantelle Turnbull: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Lauren Guberman: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Nasheira Walker: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Nakita Newton: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Tia James: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Jayne Healey: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Jesse Jacobsen: 12 snacks (1 year)

2016 Best FOR The World

This year, we have been selected as a Best for the World Honoree from B Corp (we were selected because we scored in the top 10% of all certified B Corps in the area of Community). Being selected as "Best for the World" puts us in elite company:

We are...

• 1 of 515 honored in the world.
• 1 of 270 honored in the United States.
• 1 of 141 honored as Best for the World in the area of Community.
• 1 of 62 honored for our size group.
• 1 of 30 honored in all of New York.

To learn more about Best for the World, click here.

Within 5: Sunday Smorgasburg Now in Prospect Park

On Sundays from 11-6, Smorgasburg is now located in Prospect Park (under 5 miles from our location here at the BAT). Smorgasburg is a food market that features packaged and prepared foods, beverages, and more from purveyors from New York City and across the region, for a total of 75-100 vendors. The markets are always open rain or shine. 

B with Us: Cooperative Home Care Associates

CHCA Training

Cooperative Home Care Associates (CHCA) is a Bronx-based, worker-owned home healthcare provider. B The Change Magazine recently wrote that CHCA has, “tackled one of the toughest jobs in America. It provides home health care for low-income urban clients. To do that well, it has to recruit and train about 600 health care workers every year from a community plagued by multigenerational unemployment. CHCA sends those workers into homes to attend to elderly and seriously ill clients, and then secures payment through the labyrinthine and often frustrating public agencies that serve the poor.” CHCA continues to focus on providing over twice the legal required training to candidates to provide a positive impact on their community. Their results are seen in their B Corp Assessment, where they tallied high scores in both the workers and community sections.

CHCA continues to grow and has expanded to include pilot programs located right here in Brooklyn for affordable home health care and also with cleaning services.

FringeNYC: August 12-18

The New York International Fringe Festival is the largest multi-arts festival in the United States. This year's is the 20th anniversary of the festival which occurs between August 12-28th. 200 shows will put on 1,100 performances at $18/a ticket throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. The festival offers a variety of shows that include musicals, operas, improv, stand-up, dance, performance art, mulimedia, and shows for children.

To learn more about the the shows available or to purchase tickets, please visit them here.

B with Us: United By Blue

United By Blue just opened their first NYC store located at 245 Elizabeth Street in Lower Manhattan. United by Blue offers a full assortment of sustainable apparel and accessories, as well as exciting collaborations with fellow B Corps like Chico Bag, Yellow Leaf, Found My Animal, and Klean Kanteen. They also host monthly waterway cleanups as well as fun in-store events. Here are a couple events they have going on in August (contact Sean if you would like to participate): 

8/16 Waterway Cleanup (5pm-7pm)

@ Valentino Pier & Park in Red Hook, BK

-Games, prizes, and sweet treats from "Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies". Stick around after the cleanup for an outdoor screening of Pitch Perfect compliments of Red Hook Flicks!  

8/20 "Dog Days of Summer" Dog Adoption Event (1pm-4pm)

@ United By Blue NYC in Collaboration with Animal Haven shelter and Found My Animal (B Corp) 

-Dogs on-site for adoption and reps from Animal Haven taking donations. Found My Animal reps on-site for retail sales. 

Put Your Volunteer Hours to Work!

All year-round team members are eligible for one paid work day to volunteer with an organization of their choice. Selecting an organization or an event to devote time to is often a struggle when determining how to best use your time. Catchafire, a fellow B Corp, was created in order to help match volunteers and their skills with organizations looking for specific help. Potential projects and organizations range in desired skills needed. As a prospective volunteer, you are able to create a profile where you can select the causes you would like to spend your time volunteering with, while having specific outcomes in mind.

August's Uncommon Table

Grilled Cheese on 8/11 from 1:00-2:00:

• The PD team is hosting this month's lunch that will feature different types of grilled cheese, with vegan and gluten free options available.
• Say Cheese when you enter their photobooth and continue smiling as you take a spin on the "Cheese Wheel of Fortune" for prizes.

Nacho Average Snack on 8/25 from 400-4:30:

• The Marketing Team is chiping in this month to host a nacho themed snack: Come get a little cheesy at our build-your-own nacho bar, enjoy a refreshing virgin margarita, and enter the homemade salsa contest for a chance to win a $25 gift card to a surprise location.
• Salsa contest: Sign up for our Salsa Contest by emailing our Resident Salsa King, Tom: TRomero@uncommmongoods.com (Making salsa is fun and easy. Click here, here, and here for a little inspiration!)

August Anniversaries

A happy work anniversary to our team members who started in August. If each company lunch was grilled cheese and each of our August starts had one grilled cheese per lunch, together they would have consumed approximately 45.6 loaves of bread (assuming that a traditional loaf has 20 slices of bread). 

• Jennifer Grim: 156 snacks (13 years)
• Sha'Ron Burden: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Anthony Carella: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Matthew Disla: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Matthew Monsees: 48 snacks (4 years)
• Jason Walters: 36 snacks (3 years)
• Kywon Nesbitt: 24 snacks (2 years)
• Jhamile Archibald: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Ramon Jimenez: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Kenneth McCallum: 12 snacks (1 year)
• Valeria Neal 12 snacks (1 year)