My Story: Clarence Smith
March 3, 2010 | By Jenni Baker | 
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I spent four years in the state penitentiary in Pennsylvania. I never looked at it as a liability or a handicap. I saw it as a privilege and an opportunity for me to excel. I went on a lot of interviews, and doors were closed in my face because of my record. I didn’t have the opportunity to work in some jobs where I felt I could be an asset to the company, because they wouldn’t hire me.
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 7th 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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What a great story. Congratulations to Clarence for everything that he has done, taking challenges and turning them into opportunities. Very inspiring.
There IS such a thing as rehabilitation
There IS such a thing as redemption
There IS such a thing as restoration
A dark past doesn’t define people if their fruit is a reflection of a bright future
Congrats to Jamar for his diligence, faith in the reality of more, and dependence on the Creator that loves him!
Thanks to Goodwill for seeing beyond the past, looking at his present, and into a hopeful future!
May God Bless you with all you set out to do..
This is a Great story. I also know that all people aren’t bad because they’ve committed a crime. These employers don’t understand the situation they were in or the reason they committed the crime that gave them a felony.
Having you in my class is and was a pleasure. Keep up the good work I know that you will make it in the future.
Mr. Smith you are so correct when you writer that “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”. I know that, I have also been clean and sober for 16 years now and has my bachlors and working on my Master’s and have been to prison also.
I think that we all make mistakes sometime but if you can learn from them and pass it on to someone else so that they don’t make the same mistake, that’s another life you have saved. My childhood girlfriend always say, ” take what you can and leave what you cannot use”.
So I say to you is keep helping those children who are fighting thier addictions and god will keep rewarding you. It works when you work it.
I think that i can relate to you in so many ways Mr. Smith. The only thing is that i am a female. And a High School Student. I was wondering if you have ever had students shadow you. I believe that i can learn a lot from you. Sort of like a mentor. Please get back to me with your suggestion. Thank you.
Clarence, Congratulations on your graduation. I wish you much success in your future endeavors. I believe that God will take his best people and send them through the storm so that they can be a living testimony to HIM. Remember that Diamonds are only formed under massive pressure. I think that you are a diamond in the making.
God Bless You.
God Bless you all & congratulations on all of your accomplishments:)
Thank you for your story. It makes Goodwill’s mission come alive. We wish you continued success.
so proud of lilman.
I need help myself does anyone know where I can get help in Lakeland, FL????
HEY CLARENCE I JUST WANTED TO SAY I’VE ALSO BEEN TO PRISON. IM ONLY 22 BUT YOUR STORY INSPIRES ME AND IM PROUD OF YOU FOR NOT LETTING ANYBODY KEEP YOU DOWN.I HAVE A PART TIME JOB AND IM LOOKING FOR A FULL TIME POSITION SOMEWHERE BUT I KEEP GETTING DOORS SLAMMED IN MY FACE CUZ OF MY RECORD.I JUS WANTED TO SAY KEEP DOING WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND IM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU.
Luis — you can find contact information for your local Goodwill headquarters, Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, on their web site: http://www.goodwill-suncoast.org/. They can let you know what programs and services are available in your area.
Hi, Clarence, i am so happy you got a second chance, and that you are doing great, For your Family and most of all for God. I have two boys in college, my younger one, i always remind him what you do now will stay with you for the rest of your life. I know i am a mother of five, i am married. doors have been shut on me so many times, i can relate to you. I have never been in trouble except for once, I have a record for child neglect on my record for somthing i did not do. 17 yrs ago that has affected me from gettin a career that i really enjoy doing. working with people and children. i have been tryin so hard to get that second chance to take care of my family, i have youger children as well, that needs finances as well. if you know some one that can help me get my career on track, please help. thank you so much. I want to have a sucess story just like yours.
Great Job impressed to see a story on the goodwill home page i just wish all goodwill’s were the same from state to state . I live in washington state with my Husband and son . My spouse has been Unemployed for over a yr and has a criminal background he has applied @ goodwill 3 diffrent times they tell him that they are on a hiring freeze or there not hiring. Than to come find out that when you call them to ask if they are hiring they say yes . Or you just heard someone is new to the company. I shop @ goodwill every weekend and have donated alot of stuff.. I Know my husband is a hard worker…. But if never given a chance, they will never know. He just wants to support his family. He needs a sucess story as well…So he can feel like a man.
Hi Ann —
The best way to keep on top of local Goodwill job opportunities is to contact your Goodwill headquarters directly. You can find the headquarters responsible for your area by using our locator at http://locator.goodwill.org.
The headquarters can also point you and your husband to Goodwill programs and services specifically designed to help people with criminal backgrounds re-enter the workforce.
Jenni Baker
Communications Specialist
Goodwill Industries International
Clarence,
reading this has really inspired me I have been going thru a similar situation that you went thru. I did time in a prison a few years ago and I have moved out of state to better my life out but have been unsuccessful in finding a job. I was beginning to become discourage because many doors were being shut in my face due to my criminal background but I enrolled back in college and will be graduating next year with my bachelor’s degree. Thank you for your advice on contacting Goodwill on employment assistance I truly do appreciate your advice and I will be contacting them in the morning.
Congrats on finishing school you have a come a long way and have accomplished so much. Good luck in the future with everything as well!!
Clarence,
Your story is truly remarkable and you are an inspiration to the mission of all partnering organizations affiliated with Goodwill Industries nation wide. I wish you the best, and continued success in your journey of redemption.
God Bless.
may god strengthing you each and everyday.faith is the key of believing.
Clarence,
Reading your story is just the way I’m feeling! I had been arrested a year ago yesterday (Jan. 25, 2010) for conspiracy to burglary, unfortunately I was with the wrong person at the wrong time. I had never had been in this situation before, anyways, I recently had an interview this last Friday at a place of business where I had previously work for back in 2004. After filling out the application and ready for the interview, Management straight out told me before starting with the interview that theres no use in even going through with the interview because Corporate would not consider me as an employee, my conviction was even dropped to a misdemeanor from a felony because of me not having a previous record. You know, but after reading your success story, I truely believe that there is hope in finding a job and succeeding in Life!!
Hello all, I thank yo all for reading my story and I am just over joyed at how many people can really relate to me. I thank Goodwill for giving me an opportunity and also finding my story to be an encouragement to all. I want everyone to know if you are in a situation as I was or am, to know that you can make it, don’t quit, and never give up. God will bless and he will come through. I am a living witness to that. If you want to know anything futher you can reach me at SMITY83 at hotmail
I just wanna say thank you young man because it is so easy to sit back and do nothing but after listening to your story I am getting off the couch right now and I am going out in this world and claim my life back because I am too going through the challenge of trying to get society to accept me I gave up for a minute and resulted to street life which has caused me to have to deal with the system again but I promise GOD and my family who has not giving up on me that I refuse to give up on myself ever again so now its time to get started THANKS AGAIN FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT
Thank GOD for your opportunity and the example you are to so many others.. I read that GOODWILL helped ex offenders with employment.. But here in South Carolina, that is not the case. It is so oppressing here in the South for anyone that has a run in with the law. DOes not matter if is 25 years ago and they are 55. So glad to know someone is making steps in the right direction.
Clarence I am one of those people that think once you get in trouble and get put in jail that is where you belong but through out the years I see that that is not the case there are those that are put in jail because of circumstance and after they were put in jail they grew up and tried there best and like your self have had doors slammed in there face even though they learned from there mistakes. I say this because I have a son who grew up in a caring family as far as I was concerned I did the best I could and even though I did he still got it to trouble and is now trying to get his life turned around he is 23 yrs he we back to school learned mechanics and is trying to get his life turned around. He we to get his drivers liscense went to his drug course so he could get his liscense and even though that was completed they still told him he had to wait 6 months it has been a long hard road and I have learned one thing just because you were in jail doesnt make you a bad person and this world needs to be a little more forgiving Im not saying to everyone that is in jail, because there are bad people there that need to be there but for young people that made a mistake and trying to right the wrong I commend them