My life fell apart when my job suddenly ended and the unexpected death of my mother made everything seem worse. Everything that I had worked so hard to achieve had just slipped away. This was the lowest point in my life and I felt I had nothing to live for.
Category: My Story
My Story: Mark McNie
I came to Goodwill Industries of St. Clair County (Port Huron, MI) in September, 2014 via a situational assessment from Michigan Rehabilitation Services. In 1996 I went into anaphylactic shock after being prescribed an antibiotic I was severely allergic to that put me out of commission for close to three years.
My Story: Christina Banfield
I was introduced to Goodwill Industries of Southern Oregon (Medford) through the Make Parenting a Pleasure class. The classes provided me with opportunities to make my family stronger, especially during some pretty difficult times in our family history. It was an intimate setting and I felt safe and empowered. Then, after having been unsatisfied with my progress in other available job search programs at the Department of Human Services (DHS), I requested to participate in the Goodwill Jobs program.
My Story: Kim Lowes
I initially came to Goodwill Industries of St. Clair County (GWISCC) via a situational assessment from Michigan Rehabilitation Services in 2007. I was a single mother of three children at the time of entry. Prior to arriving at Goodwill I was having an extremely difficult time making ends meet, could not find a job and had no idea where to begin. I felt frustrated and defeated.
My Story: Alan Gottschalk
My story is similar to many Americans today who consider themselves long-term unemployed. I remember watching television and the news anchor spoke about the high employment rates and those who were considered long-term unemployed. They described how hard it was to re-enter employment after experiencing a layoff or a permanent shutdown. I felt like the news anchor was talking about me, which added to my anxiety and depression.
My Story: Racheal Acklin
My name is Racheal Acklin. I have a reading learning disorder, and I suffer from depression. My life has been met with many challenges.
My Story: Jonathan Toledo
I had a lot of challenges growing up. I didn’t really know my dad and we moved around a lot because we had to. By the time I was a teenager, I was in trouble more than I was out of trouble, and things went from bad to worse. Goodwill gave me my first chance, but it
My Story: Richard Nickell
When I was released from prison for crimes I committed in the past, I came to a shelter in Des Moines, IA. I was hoping to find a job and start to rebuild my life. I'm the kind of person who's kind of obstinate and I want to do things my own way. But, when I found Justin at the Goodwill of Central Iowa Career Center, I tried to learn from him.
My Story: Nick Biddlecome
With Goodwill’s help, a man from Indiana lands a full-time job at a local plant. He is now saving to buy a house that he and his young son can call home.
My Story: Zachary Wilson
When I graduated from high school, I wanted to work to earn money. I didn’t want to go to college. I eventually came to Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa (Des Moines) to receive support in getting a job. I wanted someone to check up on me and see if I had any problems.
My Story: Archie Gibbs
My life journey is as long as the yellow brick road. I left home at the age of 12 to go to foster care when my mother's boyfriend abused me and my seven brothers and sisters. I lost hearing in my left ear and I am partially deaf in my right ear. Living in and out of foster care taught me a lot and showed me a lot of responsibility.
My Story: Guerline Guerrier
I worked for twenty years in my family’s restaurant in Haiti, where I am born. After the earthquake in 2010, I and my two children were part of the humanitarian sponsorship program instituted by the Canadian government. Upon my arrival, I was warmly welcomed, but I then had to wait for months for my work
