My Story: Mel Yawn
February 1, 2010 | By Jenni Baker | 
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I was born with spina bifida and throughout my life, I’ve had 24 major surgeries. Before coming to Goodwill Industries® of North Louisiana, I sat at home doing nothing but staying on the Internet, and I became addicted. I was depressed and leading a lonely life. I was on the verge of moving back home with my parents due to low finances and no job.
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.
Listen to Mel Yawn tell his story in this week’s My Story Podcast.
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Mel is an amazing person and its great to be able to share his story with others as well…I have heard amazing things about Goodwill Industries and I am so happy that Mel is blessed with a wonderful job, because so many people in this world are not, but if there is one person who deserves happiness its definately Mel Yawn !! Congrats Mel once again on shining that beautiful light within you !! so proud of you
We wanted to donate our car but there were so many organizations to pick from. My friend told me about Goodwill and how it accepts car donations regardless of the condition of the car. We investigated what Goodwill did with the car and how the money would be invested in the ‘placement program’. We were unsure of what the placement program entailed. However, after reading about Mel’s story we decided to donate our car to Goodwill. Given how high the unemployment rates are in the U.S. we wanted to contribute back to this country by providing everyone with employment opportunities. We hope the car will provide the needed aid for Goodwill!
How can I become an Auction Lister like Mel? I am disabled and am homebound and depressed, as is my daughter. How can we do this? I am 56 and she is 22. We are both on SSI. Thank You for any information.
Hi Karen –
You can contact your local Goodwill headquarters to see if they have any job training programs or other services that can help you and your daughter. You can find your nearest headquarters by visiting http://locator.goodwill.org/ and entering your zip code.
You can also see if a Goodwill in your area is hiring by searching for opportunities through our Indeed tool: http://www.goodwill.org/goodwill-for-you/jobs-and-careers/find-a-job/
Im a worker at La Quinta Goowill and we try our best to put everything together and help the people with disabillity and vocational challenges, and were more than happy to also help the community. So please stop by any Goodwill and see the great TREASURES we got for YOU.
Iam ineed of a job Ipray each and every day that some will cal me to work Ihave work all my life now Iam out of a jog wondering were my next meal or how i am going to pay my rent. I really need a job. Iam triy so hard but I KNOW GOD will make ends meet . I LIKE READING EACH ONE OF YOUR STORY THAT you had to tell. I would like to say thank God for each one of you.can you help me
Hi Carolyn –
To find out how your local Goodwill might be able to help you, you should contact your nearest Goodwill headquarters. You can find your nearest headquarters by visiting http://locator.goodwill.org/ and entering your zip code.
You can also see what job opportunities might be available in your area through our Indeed tool: http://www.goodwill.org/goodwill-for-you/jobs-and-careers/find-a-job/
You should be very proud of yourself to take the right step and the movation
to seek the employment you now have with Goodwill.By going to a job on a regular basic is a very good sense of structure for yourself,which is so inportant.
Hi there,
I am very touched by the stories I’ve read here on this site. I am employed myself as well as I own my own business. My company has an opportunity to teach individuals to become independent as well. Life skills as it relates to health & finances.
This is amazing. Keep it up !
I am Mel Yawn’s aunt. Mel is the most amazing person I know. He is so deserving of this job at GOODWILL. Goodwill has also helped Mel so much. He loves GOD, his church, his family,his friends and his special girl Tina. He Is just an inspiring person to everyone who knows him. We love you Mel. Love Aunt Cindy
I am so happy for you Mel.I am from Africa,when I married to an americain and come to the US I decide to be a stay home mom.We been married 12 years.My kids are in school and I am separate to my husband it’s been a year.I decide to look for a job but it is so difficulte withiout experience.I been applaying for so many job for a year now.Goodwill is the first response I got telling me I got interview Monday.Make me feel good nowing at least somebody there willing to give me a chance.I hope I will get the Job but even not I feel really good they contected me today.
Way to go Mel! Keep up the Good work!! GodBless!!!
I began my day a little down ,the rain pouring outside didn’t help but reading mel’s story and the awesome and inspiring stories on this site has lifted my spirits..god bless each and every one of you….keep up the wonderful work goodwill industies.
Mel has a wonderful story, and I am sure many others has a wonderful story also. I am an avid GoodWill Shopper, and will continue shopping there because of wonderful stories like Mels. I keep a list of GoodWills printed out and in my truck, so whatever trip I take, I can swing by all GoodWill stores on my way. I was totally thrilled with my find today at the Buckhannon, WV GoodWill store. I found a set of living room tables made from what looks like old wine barrels. Beautiful and fit right in to my little rustic cabin home. Thank You Good WIll, for all you do for others and for the great bargins I receive.
After my father passed away, I was in charge of his personal belongings. I had 16 large boxes of clothes to donate and Goodwill would not accept them when I tried to drop them off at a donation center because they told me they only accepted “new” or “like new” items. The clothes were used but still in good shape and more the acceptable for someone who would need clothes. We are talking about maybe 75 pairs of pants, jeans, slacks, all kinds, 100′s of shirts, polo, T’s, everything, tons of clothes, enough to fill a longbed truck, and all I wanted to do was give it to people who could use it and Goodwill turned me away. One call to Salvation Army and I had 2 men and a truck at my door within 24 hours to pick it up, I didnt even have to leave my house. All I have to say is if you want to donate something, donate it to people who appreciate it, beggars can not be choosers.
Way to go, Mel!
I am so grateful for people like Mel, and the people who keep this organization running. I am a college student; I’m finishing a huge courseload (let’s just say I’m graduating more than a year early) and haven’t had money to buy new outfits for presentations, conferences, or social gatherings. I have been so thankful for Goodwill for helping me to afford new (and stylish!) clothing even when I only have a few dollars a week.
I HAVE THESE AMAZING STORIES OF HELP AND HOPE. I WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR A JOB WITH GOODWILL AT THE DIBERVILLE,MS.RETAIL STORE. PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL AT: ***-***-**** AND LEAVE MESSEGE . THANK-YOU. MY ADDRESS IS: ****************************************.
Hi Steven,
Each Goodwill is run independently in order to best serve it’s community. Use our locator at locator.goodwill.org to find your local Goodwill’s website and contact information to inquire about local employment opportunities.
Cheers,
TJ Gioconda
Goodwill Industries International