I went to VR (the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (Fort Myers). They helped me fill out the application and interview and get the job at Goodwill. When I got the job here, I felt really happy.
Category: My Story
My Story – Ryan Barleston
At Goodwill, I learned to come to work on time and work on my reading skills. In 2010, I got a job working at U.S. Security, and now I am doing security work at many locations. I love my job. I am very happy. I am more serious and motivated and a good role model for my four-year-old son.
My Story—Paul Rosenstock
The message I would have for employers is to be open minded. I do understand that there’s a huge stigma attached to people who have been incarcerated. That stigma, a lot of times, is generated by what people know, which is unfortunately what they see on television and what they read in the newspaper. That only portrays a very small part of what people who have been incarcerated are.
My Story: Laura Walling
When Laura landed a job at Goodwill's leadership office out of graduate school, she was excited to be able to advocate on behalf of Goodwill and the people it serves. "I know our democracy works, and I've seen firsthand how the collective voice of supporters can influence policymakers," Laura says. "I am honored to be one of our loudest voices."
My Story—Dwayne Hodges
When I came to the Goodwill, I had just been released from prison. I had just served 9 years of a 12-year sentence, a federal sentence for crack cocaine distribution. I was actually in the United States Marine Corps. I was in the Marine Corps from 1990 to 1994. When I got out of the
My Story—Alyssa Cowin
I work with the Office of the Secretary. I’m starting a new project called Disability Mentoring Day where we have meetings every month. The students who don’t have a job follow me or someone else around in a job. I spoke two months ago about my journey to appointment—what does it take. They have a transitioning conference, and other people were like, “I would like to learn more information about Alyssa.”
My Story—Ralph Lopez
During my sophomore year of high school, I sat down with my career counselor, and she asked me, “What do you want to do?” I told her, “I don’t know.” She asked me, “What do you like to do?” I said, ever since I was little, I liked to put things together and take things apart. She said, “Well, that sounds an awful lot like a mechanic or an engineer.”
My Story—Rawlicia Pryor
I was filling out five or six job applications every day. I tried to do fast food, but fast food wasn’t even calling me back! My social worker referred me to Goodwill, where I entered the Transition to Independence and Employment program. Now my job title is sales associate. It meant a lot to me to actually support my daughter now that I am employed. To give her the things she needs, that means more to me than anything in the world.
My Story: Ashley Cole
After I graduated high school in 2010, I was home for a year with nothing to do. Goodwill® helped me fill out a job application for the daycare center that I’m at now. I want to keep working at this job as long as I can—keeping smiles on the kids’ faces, keeping them learning.
My Story: John Geter
It has been a pretty good situation because I ended up with a job and got to meet a lot of new people and mentoring to other peers at Goodwill®.
My Story—Lupita Flores
Lupita Flores attended Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona (Tucson)'s Ready to Learn program after being unemployed for two years. Her employer of 13 years laid her off when its office closed. The Goodwill trained her for call center work, and she was pleasantly surprised to find that her customer service background made it a perfect fit.
My Story—Pam Velado
I’m Pam Velado. I was living in Dallas, TX, when I lost my job. I was very discouraged when I couldn’t find another job. I moved back home to Tennessee. I enrolled in a medical assisting school through a vocational rehabilitation program. Although I did well in school and obtained my certification, I did not
