Prior to enrolling in the digital skills program at Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (Greenville, SC), Annette Cohen was at a critical juncture in her job search. As she assessed opportunities, she found that the she was either over- or under-qualified for many of the roles she was interested in. For support with her job search, Cohen went to her local Goodwill Job Connection center.
Category: My Story
My Story: Gunner Pemberton
Traditional schooling isn’t always the right option for students. This was true for Gunner Pemberton, who was referred to Goodwill® to obtain his GED.
My Story: Meghan Clark
Originally from Atlanta, Meghan Clark relocated to Charlotte after the birth of her daughter to be closer to family. Meghan loves cooking, and had worked in the restaurant industry for most of her career, but when a friend referred her to the free job training programs at the Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Opportunity Campus (GOC), Meghan embraced the opportunity to make a change.
My Story: Jordon Williams
Jordon Williams has known what he wanted to do since he was a little boy, hearing a calling that most people aren’t lucky enough to hear until they are much older. “All my life, I always loved to build things,” he said.
My Story: Michael
Through rounds of misdiagnosis, years in institutions, and mis-prescribed medications, Michael has continued to inspire those around him with his drive for independence. No longer needing daily supports to monitor his work, Michael was hired by Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut to work independently as a custodial team member on the Goodwill Good & Clean Crew.
My Story: Victoria Kaufman
Victoria is a freshman engineering major with a bright future ahead of her. She’s the daughter of immigrant parents who came to the U.S. as refugees from Russia. Last summer, Victoria enrolled in Goodwill’s Summer Bridge program (Goodwill Industries of Denver), designed to support low income and first-generation college students.
My Story: Daniel Bailey
A Navy veteran, Daniel Bailey walked through the doors of Palmetto Goodwill looking for assistance in getting his life back on track. Mr. Bailey, recently released from prison, just wanted to work and find somewhere to live so he could rebuild his life.
My Story: Nancy Nance
Previously incarcerated, jobless and living in a shelter -- High Point resident Nancy Nance was out of options. A mother with two kids and one grandchild, Nance was haunted by her past mistakes. Motivated by her children to achieve something with her life, Nance entered Triad Goodwill’s Jobs on the Outside program in 2018, and quickly joined their Work Experience Program immediately after that.
My Story: Shannon
Determination is a word that is reoccurring in the description of this young woman. Referred to Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut after High School for assistance in attaining employment.
My Story: Nyla Wills
It was never Nyla Wills’ intention to drop out of high school, but when her mother was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, she had no choice. She left school during her sophomore year to help provide for her family.
My Story: Guadalupe Torres
Guadalupe was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth, and later Mild Intellectual Disability Disorder. After graduating high school, Guadalupe joined the Goodwill S.T.A.R.S. program to learn life skills to achieve her maximum independence.
My Story: Randie Vines
Plenty of people have had to fight their way to independence when they have a disability that prevents them from gaining meaningful employment. But, it takes a special kind of person to have to move forward with both a disability and a barrier. This was the experience of Randie Vines.
