Success Stories
My Story: Shannon Epps
Renter for life – that was who I was, and who I was always going to be. There weren’t any dreams of some day owning my own home. I was living paycheck to paycheck, and in the winter months, things would get so bad that I couldn’t even “rob Peter to pay Paul.”
As a single mother raising three children, I have had my share of trials and tribulations — sometimes coming out ahead, sometimes just breaking even, oftentimes coming out behind. My cash flow and income balancing were way out of line with what my monthly bills were. It got to the point that I was borrowing from payday lenders to make my next payment, and interest from those places almost took me for everything I had.
My Story: Charles Warren
I joined the Navy in August of 1971. I did a tour in Vietnam – I came home, but I brought home an addiction to alcohol and marijuana. I thought I could get back on track by going to school, but my addiction wouldn’t let me stay focused. I dropped out and bounced around from job to job.
I found a job that lasted me 26 years, but it also increased my addiction. During this time, I was divorced from my first wife and mother of two kids. I met and married another woman and we were together seven years before she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She died, and my life just spiraled downward fast.
My Story: Nicole Hansen
In 1999, I was diagnosed with ocular histoplasmosis and lost the vision in one eye. My world fell apart in 2004, when my employer of many years passed away, and I developed macular degeneration in my one good eye. My retinal doctor referred me to the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, and with the help of a passionate, dedicated counselor, I was then directed to Goodwill® Columbus.
Goodwill showed me respect and guidance as I began my new journey. Goodwill prepared me to re-enter the workforce by introducing me to ZoomText magnification software for my computer. Support group meetings were also very helpful for the emotional support needed when you are faced with no job and a disability.
My Story: Bill Johnson
I first came to Goodwill of Greater Washington because I was bouncing around from job to job. I was a warehouse manager for Circuit City for 10 years and when the company folded, it was hard to find steady employment. I needed a career change and was looking for something permanent.
From day one, the people here showed genuine concern for the students. They pretty much walk you through every step. It starts off with soft training skills, and then it goes into actual, hands-on experience.The soft skills—the first three weeks of training—was great because I’d been in job management so long that I got rusty. It was good to brush up on interviewing skills again, resume writing and things of that nature.
My Story: John Weaver
I’m proud to follow in my grandparents’ footsteps. They were very hard workers and I am too. I clean the offices and bathrooms at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. I love what I do so I don’t mind getting up 3:30 a.m. to get to work by 7 o’clock.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been doing janitorial work, and my current job is very rewarding. I am happy to help my country. My disability may limit me in some ways but hasn’t hindered my ability to fulfill my job requirements. In fact, my favorite task is to clean bathrooms. I like it because I feel productive. I feel like I’m making a difference.
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.
