My Story: Chris Mills
December 28, 2009 | By Jenni Baker | 
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Over the past few years, the recession has hit working people hard in Michigan. In Kent County, where Grand Rapids is located, 25 percent of children are receiving food stamps. Unemployment in Grand Rapids is nearly 12 percent, which is three points higher than the national average. I joined Goodwill and AmeriCorps because I believe everyone has the right to provide for themselves and their families. There is dignity in work.
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.
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Thank you for your story Chris! It’s so good to start the day with some inspiration from someone who’s doing something they’re passionate about while adding value and providing support to people in need on a daily basis.
Chris, as a mother of a fully trainable but special needs 23-yr-old daughter, I thank God for people like you whose goal in life is to instill confidence in people. Thank you for choosing to do what you do!
Great job Chris, keep up the good work, you are an inspiration.