My Goodwill Story – Annalessy

It’s that time of year when we start thinking about the future: what we want to accomplish, who we want to be and where we want to go. For Annalessya, that future is now full of new possibilities.

Annalessya is a young mother to two children, one of whom has a disability and health issues. That made it difficult for Annalessya to advance her career and improve her financial outlook. She tried two times to enroll in the automotive career and technical education program offered by Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. (South Bend, IN), but she had to withdraw due to her youngest’s health issues.

That didn’t stop Annalessya from trying again. She enrolled for a third time and things started to align. She excelled in her classes. Two weeks before graduation, she even had a blowout on the highway that she was able to change herself thanks to her training. This time around, Annalessya was finally able to complete the training.

After graduation, she found a job at a local Jiffy Lube as a technician. More importantly, this new knowledge and career path gave Annalessya a sense of purpose and wisdom that she can pass along to others.

Thrifting for Good

Annalessya’s hard work and tenacity made all the difference on her journey to a better life for her family.

She shared how the generosity of thrifters and goods donors also impacted her, saying, “Goodwill is more than just secondhand clothing and household items. Goodwill is a support system for those who do not have their own; Goodwill is about the families and communities in our area.”

For those looking to accomplish big dreams next year, like Annalessya did, remember that Goodwill is there to support. As she says, “Goodwill is always going to be there for us because we need it and not because of what we can give back. Anyone looking for help or a fresh start to a better future, I would recommend contacting Goodwill just to see what may be out there for you. You never know, you might find your true calling all at Goodwill just like I did.”

Reach out to your local Goodwill career center to find out what’s possible for you.