Success Stories
My Story: Cleo Clausell
When I graduated from high school, I was looking for a part time position somewhere to earn money for college. In this economy, it was pretty hard to do so. I didn’t really know where to start – and that’s when I first encountered Goodwill Industries® of Denver.
I was lucky enough to take part in the program with the City and County of Denver receiving job training and help with internship placement. Through that program, Goodwill® provided classes on workplace etiquette, how to dress in the workplace, résumé reviews, mock interviews and just generally helped us ready for entering the workplace.
My Story: Charles Mwamba
At 18, because of the unrest in Zaire, I had to leave for my safety. I crossed into the border of Zambia on foot, literally running across the border to safety. I was on my own. I spent 18 years in a refugee camp outside of my native country. At that time, I was able to move to Austin, TX, through a UN resettlement program. I brought my wife and four young children with me.
In Austin I found assistance through a local non-profit who worked with immigrants and refugees. I was unable to find employment to support my family. In four months, I submitted over 40 applications but received no interviews or even calls of interest. An opening was found at Goodwill Industries® of Central Texas. After interviewing with the recycling supervisor, I was offered a full-time job as a baler in the recycling department and started work in July 2009.
My Story: Edmond Cadet
Before I came to the program, I was hospitalized for a few months due to a brain injury that I was born with. I was unable to work for some time and I was pretty much down and out.
Even though I was down for four years, I fought the struggle in order to continue to move on in life. When I was able to work again, I joined Goodwill Industries® of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey’s WeCARE program. It took me some time, but after a few interviews I was hired on October 2006 by a law firm.
My Story: Julia Dunigan
I had experience with patient care while taking care of my mom. Mom wanted me in the medical field for years. I was a career as a server, and I knew I wouldn’t physically be able to do that forever.
I relocated to Greenville, and through the Goodwill Industries® of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina Job Connection center, I learned about the CNA program. I was comfortable with the field because I had experience doing it, and it was great to have the opportunity to begin a new career.
My Story: Charles Plummer
Charles came to Goodwill® in April 2009 through the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative program. Charles had various breaking and entering convictions. He was referred to Goodwill through his parole officer, as he was released from prison with very little personal resources.
He was pretty unsure about the program at first, but continued to show up. He completed our month-long Better Life Initiative classes and received a certificate in May 2009. He started a 90-day temporary work experience at our recycle center, and completed that experience in August of 2009 with a great recommendation from his supervisor.
My Story: Rudy Batilla
I had problems finding a job. Then Goodwill® of San Antonio came around. They really helped me to get on my feet by giving me the training I needed. But that’s not all – they then helped me understand how to manage my finances.
I had a vision for my future and wrote it down. I shared that vision with my case manager at Goodwill. My credit score was terrible – in fact, it was 535. With Goodwill’s help, I eventually earned a score of about 730. That help included a three-day class that taught me about finances and improving my credit.
My Story: Julie Stewart
My background is as a hairdresser for 38 years, but I have a bad back and can’t stand a long time anymore. I spent some time traveling in a motor home, selling at flea markets, but that was getting very difficult, and I wasn’t making enough money.
Through social security, I got a low-income apartment. I felt that I didn’t have a life, and that I would like to work. I went into the manager of our apartments and I asked her what I could do so that I could work without my rent going up. She told me about Goodwill Industries® of New Mexico.
My Story: Christopher Parker
Before Goodwill Industries® found me, I was a mess. I was lost, I was confused, and I didn’t know what I was going to do day in and day out. I’ve been through a lot, but one of the biggest things that I’ve been through was losing my mom at the age of 15. She raised me right, and she was my best friend—nothing compares to her.
From ages 15 to 19, I lost my focus. I lost hope. I was raised in church, but I wasn’t walking on that path. My two options were either jail or death. When I was 19, I had a daughter, who is now three years old. She brought me back my focus, but she wasn’t my main priority starting off, just because I was confused and I didn’t know what I was living for.
My Story: Daisy Latimore
I am the owner and operator of Daisy’s Unique Chocolates. In the year 2000, I was being downsized from corporate America for the third time. I wanted to start my own business. I had already been doing gift baskets as a hobby, and someone told me about the Business NOW program at Goodwill Industries® of North Georgia (Atlanta).
The program teaches you how to write a business plan, how to develop your business, and how to do research and development. As part of my business plan, I wanted to add chocolates with my gift baskets and, in May, I will open my first retail location.
My Story: John Wilkerson
I started working with Goodwill Industries® of Middle Tennessee back in 1992 in the donations department. One of the things I like about working at Goodwill is we’re not only making money for the mission — instead of losing money throwing things away — but we are also are helping the environment because we don’t have so much stuff going into the landfill.
People give us these things hoping we’ll make good use out of them, and that’s what I like seeing done. These items at one time meant a whole lot to these folks that gave them to us.
