I was working with the Mayor’s Office for the Reentry of Ex-Offenders (M.O.R.E)  in Philadelphia and I was referred to Goodwill Industries^® of Southern New Jersey/Philadelphia for their 7^th Street project.  I worked with the Dell Reconnect program, sorting and packaging parts. Goodwill taught me how to be a leader — not just in the workplace, but also in life too. I learned, despite whatever kind of job I was working, to make it the best job that I could for myself and for my family. I learned communication skills and how to conduct myself with employers.

Clarence Smith works on a computer at Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia

Since I left Goodwill^®, I’ve been working in a lot of different areas, but everything has been in computers. I’ve been working as a telecommunications technician, where I got my certification through M.O.R.E. I enrolled myself in computer service technology courses. I’m finishing school in March and I’ll be a certified computer repair technician. I’m also currently working as a counselor at The Bridge. We mentor children who have been affected by drugs and alcohol.

I see myself doing so much better and so much more than what I’m expected to do. Many people look at people with criminal backgrounds and think that we’re just going to continue to get in trouble and that we don’t know what it is we want with our lives. Everything that I’ve been through and learned has taught me to succeed in life and to never let anything hold me back.

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I did an internship at the Giant Eagle grocery store, which included classroom studies and on-the-floor training. I learned about the job skills I needed to work there. After finishing the program, I was given the opportunity to apply for a job, and I got hired.

Travis Derouaux works at the Giant Eagle grocery store.

I started out doing carts and after a short while, I was promoted to hot foods. I have learned to cook, and work in the cold case and salad bar. I also worked in customer service.

Without Project Opportunity, I would not have been given a chance to work at Giant Eagle and been able to show I am a hard worker. I love my job and I am proud of myself and everything I have accomplished. Goodwill Columbus and Project Opportunity have changed my life.

Read more about Travis in the Fall 2009 edition of Working! magazine.

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At the Seattle Goodwill^®, I was able to take job interview and coaching classes, and I had a great supervisor at the time in the production department that really focused on discipline. I gained the confidence to interview at The Seattle Times where, nine months earlier, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go in and feel like I could contribute. Because of my Goodwill experience, I got hired and I stayed there for fourteen years.

Now, I’m an insurance agent at PEMCO insurance, and I’m loving it. The focus is on being a team player and celebrating the diversity of our customers that come from various backgrounds. At Goodwill, I met wonderful people from all backgrounds, and that experience has really helped me.

While I credit Jesus Christ with opening up all doors in my life, I give Goodwill the credit for giving me the confidence to walk through them. I never envisioned that, this many years later, I would still be reaping the rewards of my decision to join the Goodwill program many years ago. Jobs change lives and I was able to get a great job and a career because that door was opened.

I was a good citizen. I had a house, I had a car, and I had two dogs and cats. Through my years I watched my father drink alcohol every morning, and I picked up on that through my life. I drank it all away. I lost everything. I had nothing but the shirt on my back and a backpack that had a few clothes in it.

I spent almost two years being homeless before finding my way to TX, where I ran into some people at the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation who brought me into Goodwill Industries^® of South Texas.

David Beiter unloads donations from a car at Goodwill Industries of South Texas.

When I got to Goodwill^®, I met other people just like me working their way to get back into a normal situation, and I found a case manager, Michael Jones, who really helped me a whole lot. I found that I can be close to being normal again and that’s what I really want. These people showed me how to do it. I’ve learned to cope with things. I can get through life struggles now and it’s not a problem.

My Goodwill family is just tremendously good to me and good to all the clients that come to Goodwill, and I appreciate that so much. I’m glad to have met people here—they turned my whole perspective on life all the way around. I now can do this. When people tell me I can’t do things, now I can laugh at them and say, “Yes, I can do things.”

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While I was with Goodwill, I did a lot of growing. They helped me get my self-esteem back, and made me appreciate life more. With their help, I was able to get back on my feet and pursue the dreams I have for myself. Today, I have a vehicle and no longer have to depend on the bus to get to work every day. I went from a shelter to my own apartment. Now I am happily married in my new home.

Ora Harris sorts donated clothing at Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina.

I went from looking for a chance to work to having a full time job that I enjoy and working with people who really care about me. I am so excited to be working for Goodwill and helping other people who have the same challenges I once did.

I thank God that Goodwill gave me a chance to work, and I thank all of my coworkers at Goodwill. I have really enjoyed working here and I’m thankful that they have recognized all of my hard work. The best is yet to come!

Watch a short video about Ora Harris.

After I got involved in church, doors really started opening for me. I was introduced to the Goodwill’s VP of Contract Services Don Baker, who then introduced me to my supervisor Cathy Stewart. That’s where my Goodwill^® journey began.

Mel Yawn prepares auction listings for shopgoodwill.com at Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana.

I started working with the shopgoodwill.com^® e-commerce department and I have been there for about four and a half years. I learned to write descriptions, and I now am able to do all the jobs within the department. I’ve learned responsibility, and I now train the new employees.

I was able to change my life around. Since I have a job, I am now able to live on my own. I use transportation through friends and a local service. I am really involved in my church, and I’m able to get out a lot more and enjoy life.

Goodwill has really helped me out and opened a lot of doors for me. It’s really become more like a friendship than a job. Goodwill lives by its motto of improving people’s lives through the power of work — they’ve been doing exactly that for me.

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Before I came to Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina I had gotten custody of my children back through the court system and I had been sober for about a year and a half. I had just lost my job and I was really devastated and worried about how I was going to take care of my children.

I was referred to Goodwill to learn some job skills to help me become independent and self-sufficient. I took advantage of job training services, including cover letter and resume preparation. I learned how to present myself for a business interview, and how to go out into the workplace and feel confident about myself.

Christie Jarrell counsels a client at the Path of Hope rehabilitation facility in Lexington, NC.

My initial career goal was to just establish employment. I wanted to be able to know that I was bringing home income to cover the expenses, to cover basic needs for my family. After I obtained a job, I decided to work toward becoming a substance abuse clinician and I am now getting ready to earn my certification.

My long-term goal is to open my own substance abuse facility that has spiritual counseling as well as emergency catering to clients who need clothing, shelter and detox. Goodwill created the bridge that allowed me to find employment. Not only that, they taught me the value of dedicating yourself to the community and giving back to others.

View a quick video of how Goodwill helped Christie succeed.

I came to Goodwill Industries of Arkansas after I lost my house. I was homeless and jobless and I had no income. I stayed with my daughter for a little while and then I heard about Goodwill.

I worked in the consumer program, where I went through training to be able to learn to get to work on time, to take instructions, and to be responsible for what I was supposed to do.

Stephanie Baker addresses letters at Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.

When I finished the program, it wasn’t easy to find a job because of my disability. I talked with my case manager and we came up with a plan for me to get certified in teaching. I had a degree in English but I didn’t have my license. We found a program where I could go online and work on getting the hours I needed to get my license. That’s what I’m pursuing now.

It’s been a great experience. I would highly recommend people come and give Goodwill a chance and see what they have to offer. They have job opportunities for you and training for you.

At the age of 52, Richard got tired of his dark life with little promise.  He moved to Harrisburg, PA, to get away from his old life in Philadelphia. He entered into Bethesda Mission’s program for addiction, and after a year and a half, graduated from the program. Richard then began Goodwill Keystone Area’s job training program and, three months later, entered its job placement program.

Richard worked with me on looking for a job. I helped Richard land an interview at The Melting Pot, a successful restaurant here in Harrisburg, for a dishwasher position. After Richard secured the job, he worked hard to prove himself.  He became a valuable member of the team and he was able to help do food preparation.

Cooking is one of his true life’s loves. Richard loves his job and says, “Life is just beautiful now.” He’s been an outstanding example of what perseverance can do in wanting to land a job, and I’m honored to have worked with him.

* Story told by Goodwill Keystone Area Employment Specialist David Astuto

At Goodwill, I instruct around 40 to 60 participants on a daily basis, serving 700 participants in an average month. I work with individuals who are unemployed and underemployed, have disabilities, are homeless and have felony backgrounds. I teach classes about résumé building and cover letter writing. I facilitate classes on interviewing, professionalism, and I instruct participants on computer basics. I offer advice on career paths and higher education.

Chris Mills helps program participant at Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids Career Center.

My most important function, however, is fostering confidence in participants I see on a daily basis. Goodwill Industries provides people with resources to empower themselves and to provide for their families. I love being a part of that mission. Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids placed over 900 participants in jobs last year.  It’s tremendously rewarding to be the Career Center instructor and help unemployed people find work.

With help from the AmeriCorps education fund, I was able to defer my loans and I’ll be using it in the future to pay for part of my master’s degree in sociology. I’ve been able to gain valuable experience that I would not have otherwise had.  I love getting up in the morning and coming into work.