My Goodwill Story – Yahaira 

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re sharing the story of Yahaira, a woman who had a clear goal and did the hard work to achieve it.  

When Yahaira first came to Goodwill Industries of South Texas (Corpus Cristi), she was looking to re-enter the workforce, but she needed digital skills to work in the kind of positions she was interested in. As a native Spanish-speaker, Yahaira also needed assistance translating and updating her résumé from Spanish to English. While she speaks some English, Yahaira appreciated that Goodwill could provide support in her primary language.  

To further support her career goals, Yahaira enrolled in an ESL class to improve her English language skills with assistance from Goodwill. The combination of digital skills training, résumé translation and connection to ESL classes significantly boosted her confidence and her ability to find work. She felt more prepared to present herself professionally and articulate her value to potential employers. 

Looking Forward to the Future 

Not only is Yahaira now looking for a job that fits the kind of work she wants to do, but she is also working on having her curriculum vitae and professional licenses translated and certified to complete her application process with Texas A&M. 

Reflecting on her journey with Goodwill, Yahaira shared, “I sometimes felt like I had no hope of getting back to researching what I love. Now, thanks to the skills instructor and everyone at Goodwill, I feel hopeful.” 

Yahaira’s story is an example of the impact comprehensive support can have on an individual’s confidence and career prospects. We’re so proud of everything she’s accomplished already and what she has planned for the future.