Real People, Real Jobs

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2009 issue of Working! magazine. Download the Fall 2009 issue.

Job, Friendships Give Young Man New Opportunities to Smile

Travis Derouaux’s boyish smile is the first thing people notice about the 20-year-old who works full time as a prepared foods associate and customer service clerk for Giant Eagle grocery store in Grove City, OH. His interactions with coworkers and customers have helped the shy young man shine — something he wasn’t able to do in school because peers made fun of his learning disability and vocal chord disorder.

Derouaux’s disabilities are noticeable when he speaks or writes, and he is able to read at a third-grade level. Sherry Clark, one of Derouaux’s high school teachers, took a special interest in the youth and referred him to Project Opportunity at Goodwill® Columbus. Despite his past difficulties with learning new things, Derouaux was eager to enroll in the program because he “just wanted to get in and get going.”

Jennifer Dudley, the agency’s educational facilitator, shepherded Derouaux through the 12-week program that provided four weeks of classroom job skills training and eight weeks of on-the-job training at Giant Eagle.

With Goodwill’s help, Derouaux learned how to dress for an interview, handle conflict with co-workers and manage constructive criticism — skills that were reinforced during his eight-week training period at the grocery store. With Dudley’s guidance, Derouaux gained full-time employment at the Giant Eagle in February 2007 after he completed Project Opportunity.

He credits the program and his current position for boosting his confidence and teaching him new things about himself. “I found out that I’m a good people person and I’m a very hard worker,” he explains. “I never call [in sick]. I do not like to miss work at all.”

The job has allowed Derouaux to build friendships with his co-workers — something that proved difficult in high school. “I feel really good about my job today,” Derouaux says. “By working with employees here, I’ve made some friends. They go the extra mile to help me out, and I would do the same for them.”

With his stellar reputation at Giant Eagle, Derouaux has also learned to use his clout. “I got my brother a job here, too,” he says proudly.

Although his full-time position would allow Derouaux to live independently if he wanted to, he chooses to live at home with his loving support network — his mother and siblings.

Woman Who Was Homeless Pursues Teaching Career, Becomes Role Model to Students

When you walk into Kimberly Thorpe’s classroom, her enthusiasm and passion for learning are evident, and you wouldn’t know that the well-respected instructor was once homeless.

After years of mental and physical abuse by a controlling husband, Thorpe had lost her confidence and self-esteem. After her marriage ended, she had a hard time finding work, even though she was trained as a medical assistant, and eventually the 30-year-old was living on the streets.

Overwhelmed by her situation but determined to forge a new life on her own, Thorpe leaned on a Goodwill Industries^®-Suncoast (St. Petersburg, FL) career specialist for support. The career specialist first referred Thorpe to shelters and community resources that help people who are homeless, then encouraged her to take advantage of her medical training.

“Goodwill taught me how to believe in myself and helped me get not only a job but a career doing something I love,” says Thorpe.

She took advantage of Goodwill’s services, including résumé preparation assistance and job search tools. Most importantly, she received moral support and learned that she was capable of accomplishing anything she wanted in life.

With renewed confidence, Thorpe pursued a teaching career in the medical assisting field and was hired by Florida Career College’s Clearwater Campus in December 2007. Her commitment to her work quickly earned her the respect of her colleagues.

“She has an enthusiasm in the classroom that is contagious and promotes a positive learning atmosphere for all her students,” says Darlana Brown, the medical assistant program director at Florida Career College.

Thorpe was soon promoted to lead instructor and won the 2008 Instructor of the Year Award. “I am so honored and I truly believe that Goodwill was responsible for this,” she says. “At Goodwill, I learned I could achieve anything if I worked hard.”

Chris Ward, marketing and media relations manager at Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, praises Thorpe’s empathy for her students. “She knows what it’s like to be without a home or a job and to doubt her own self-worth, so she can empathize with people facing challenges. She is a role model for her students and proof of what can be achieved through commitment, hard work and a dedication to helping others.”

With stable employment, Thorpe now rents an apartment and has her own bank account for the first time.

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