While the Fourth of July marks America’s Independence Day, everyday people in the U.S. are working toward their own definition of independence. That was the case for Tyler after he experienced involvement with the justice system.
Tyler first heard about the services offered by Goodwill Industries of West Michigan (Muskegon) through his parole officer. He had his sights set on building a stable and independent future for himself but wasn’t quite sure how to get there.
When speaking with the Goodwill® team, he shared that he wanted to gain skills in material handling. His Goodwill career coach helped him take the first step by enrolling him in a specialized cohort program funded by the Goodwill retail stores. With determination and focus, Tyler completed the training and was soon hired by Goodwill Industries of West Michigan’s janitorial team.
Goodwill loved having him as part of the team but knew Tyler had ambitions beyond what Goodwill had available. With support from the Goodwill career center, he secured a new role at the Delta Hotel, where he now works in both restaurant service and hotel maintenance. He was able to secure this role thanks to the specialized cohort program he completed, and his time spent working at Goodwill. This new job has brought him closer to his goal of long-term stability and self-reliance.
What Does Goodwill Do? It Supports People Like Tyler.
While most people are familiar with Goodwill’s thrift stores, they might not be aware of the nonprofit services that these stores fund. Goodwill didn’t do the work for Tyler — but the Goodwill team was there every step of the way. By offering free access to training, employment opportunities and ongoing support, Goodwill helped Tyler build the confidence and skills he needed to move forward in his life.
As Tyler puts it: “I like the progress I’ve made over the last few months. It’s been full of ups and downs, but I know I can handle it — and if I don’t, I know where to go to get some help.”
Tyler’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when someone is given the tools and support to succeed. We’re proud of his journey to find independence in a way that’s meaningful to him.
Need Support Like Tyler Did?
Use our locator tool to find a Goodwill career center near you and take the first step toward your own journey to independence.
