My Goodwill Story – Chris

Every October, we celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It gives us an opportunity to recognize the contributions that people with disabilities, both visible and invisible, make in workplaces and communities across the country.  

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” As such, we want to celebrate one talented individual: Chris.  

Chris worked for the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport through a Goodwill Industries – Big Bend, Inc. (Tallahassee, FL) contract for six years. As a valued member of the team, he played a key role in maintaining high standards of cleanliness and upkeep that helped the Airport operate smoothly and leave a lasting, positive impression on travelers from around the world. 

Chris, who is deaf, brought a unique perspective and strong sense of focus to his work, qualities that enhanced team performance and inspired those around him. Chris’s dedication and work ethic did not go unnoticed. His supervisors consistently praised his reliability, professionalism and positive attitude.  

Exploring New Career Opportunities 

But as the contract with the airport came to an end, Chris found himself at a crossroads. He was ready to move forward, yet unsure of where his path would lead next. That’s when he connected with Trina, the manager of the Goodwill Panama City Career Resource Center, who visited him and other staff members at the Airport to discuss their next steps. Chris expressed interest in remaining with Goodwill®. 

Trina understood that working with a job seeker who is deaf might come with communication challenges. However, Chris was proactive in expressing his needs, goals and expectations, which helped facilitate the communication process and ensured that he had access to the same resources and opportunities as everyone else. He worked with staff to assess his skills, refine his résumé and identify opportunities within Goodwill that aligned with his experience and goals. He took advantage of every resource offered to him. 

His hard work and persistence soon paid off in the best way! There was an opening for a new staff member at the Goodwill retail store in Chipley, FL, which happened to be much closer to home for Chris. The new position allowed Chris to continue applying the same level of excellence he demonstrated at the airport in a more advanced role with greater responsibility and room for growth. 

Success in His New Role 

Today, Christopher is thriving. What could have been a challenging transition became a launchpad for success. Christopher’s story is a testament to what can happen when opportunity meets determination.  

When asked about Chris’s performance in his new role, his manager was overwhelmed with appreciation for his dedication. She stated that he needs no direction, is always on time and is one of her hardest workers. She said there is a language barrier, but that Chris is teaching them American Sign Language. There is one staff member who is learning quicker than everyone else, so she serves as Chris’s main point of contact on the job. When asked if she had any final words to say about Chris, his manager added, “We enjoy working with him and would hate to lose him. We hope we get to keep him for a long time.”  

According to Chris, he has now been with Goodwill Big Bend for a total of nine years and plans to stay for many more!