My Story: Janie Marsh
September 1, 2009 | 
Subscribe to "My Story" | Subscribe on iTunes
Before coming to Goodwill, I was living in the woods. I had not had a home or a job in years. I was a methamphetamine addict, an alcoholic and a thief. Physically, I was sick; mentally and spiritually, even sicker.
I was convicted of various crimes and sentenced to almost three years in prison. While incarcerated, I entered and completed the Turning Point treatment program. I learned how to face and live life free from drugs, alcohol and crime.
But a major part of living life is having employment. How would I ever find a job? Who would hire me?
Janie Marsh performs landscaping duties. Click the picture above to hear Janie tell her story.
I thank God that Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette offered a six-week course inside the prison for people like me. I learned how to fill out applications, how to look for a job, how to dress appropriately for an interview, how to address my felony record and more.
They directed me to sign up for the Goodwill Job Connection Program in my local area upon my release. They treated me with warmth and respect. I was connected with a landscaping job that I never would have thought I could do or would have even applied for without the Job Connection specialists’ encouragement and help.
I started my job two weeks after walking out of prison. I love my job and have been there almost three years. I am now attending college to become a landscape architect. I have a life and dreams of a future. I have my dignity back.
Listen to Janie tell her story in this week’s My Story Podcast.
Related Links:
Janie Marsh’s 2009 Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year video
Subscribe to the My Story podcast on 
.
Janie, there’s always hope! I have a friend who’s been suffering from some serious life problems (anti-depressents, divorce, bankrupsy, and nagging family members). She’s not on her way to prison, but then again, she’s not really on her way anywhere. It’s nice to know that there are organizations out there to help people though. And I’m so glad to hear that you’ve turned everything around for yourself! Keep up the great work! It’s always nice to know there’s a second chance. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Janie, it sounds like you should also give yourself a lot of credit for your hard work! Good luck to you.
Janie I just wanna say good luck to you and don’t forget that never is too late to a change and you are realy working on that.
God bless you Janie
Janie i just wanna say the it great that you found a job and are turning your life around my husband just got out of jail about a month ago and still has not found a job but i guess that i will tell him to go to Goodwill and get a application my they can get him back on the right track that he was on a long time ago? Good Luck with everything that happens in your life….
Sincerely Your: Mrs. Williams
My = Maybe (in between application and they SORRY
Janie-
God is always finding a way to help people with the struggles in there life. I can tell that you are now on a good path, and Goodwill is there to be with you through all of it. I am only 15 years old, but i have been around many people that have had the same problems as you did, but not all of them had the courage and help that you did. God really blessed you. Good luck to you on the rest of your journey with life!