Before coming to Goodwill, Darrell was in a drug court program where he had to attend mandatory drug screens and sure that he was on time for all of his appointments. Ninety days into the program, a counselor told him about Goodwill and the services that could help him get back on his feet. He joined the Goodwill's Access to Recovery program, which provided him with free counseling services and other work supports like bus tokens. Thanks to his own resolve and the support of Goodwill, Darrell has been sober for more than three years, and holds a paying job that allows him to provide for his family.
Tag: People with Criminal Backgrounds
Goodwill®-Affiliated Judge Named Finalist in 'People' Magazine Contest
In 2009, after watching a string of teenagers who committed criminal activities come through his courtroom, St. Louis, MO, Juvenile Court Judge Jimmie Edwards took action. Along with MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries and St. Louis Public Schools, he founded the Innovative Concept Academy, a school dedicated to addressing the needs of students at risk of delinquency. Edwards has been selected by the editors of People magazine as a finalist for the publication’s 2011 People Readers’ Choice Hero campaign based on his work with the academy. The winner of the campaign, determined by public vote, will receive $10,000 to use for his or her charitable cause.
READ MORE from Goodwill®-Affiliated Judge Named Finalist in 'People' Magazine Contest
Goodwill®-Affiliated Judge Named Finalist in ‘People’ Magazine Contest
In 2009, after watching a string of teenagers who committed criminal activities come through his courtroom, St. Louis, MO, Juvenile Court Judge Jimmie Edwards took action. Along with MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries and St. Louis Public Schools, he founded the Innovative Concept Academy, a school dedicated to addressing the needs of students at risk of delinquency. Edwards has been selected by the editors of People magazine as a finalist for the publication’s 2011 People Readers’ Choice Hero campaign based on his work with the academy. The winner of the campaign, determined by public vote, will receive $10,000 to use for his or her charitable cause.
READ MORE from Goodwill®-Affiliated Judge Named Finalist in ‘People’ Magazine Contest
Back to Work: 100 Job Seekers, Volunteers Share Their Goodwill® Success Stories
Sherry GordonWhen you’re facing challenges finding a job, talking to people who’ve been in your shoes and found success can give you the encouragement you need to keep your head up during the tough times. In late 2009, we launched Goodwill’s “My Story” series, giving job seekers coming to our page the chance to hear and read the first-person stories of people who have improved their lives through the Goodwill job training, career placement and volunteer programs your donations help support. Almost two years later, we are honored to share our 100th story on the site.
READ MORE from Back to Work: 100 Job Seekers, Volunteers Share Their Goodwill® Success Stories
Goodwill Urges Congress to Preserve Funding Supporting Job Seekers, Pell Grants in Debt Reduction Deal
With less than a week before the U.S. is expected to start defaulting on its loans, Goodwill Industries International (GII) sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives urging it to maintain funding for programs that assist people Goodwill serves, including individuals with disabilities, youth, adults, dislocated workers, older workers, veteran, people with a criminal background and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients.
My Story: Aaron Hughes
I had major back surgery, where I had a disc taken out of my back. They took two bone grafts out of my hip. I was on full disability for about eight years. The doctors had said I would never work again, and I gave up on things, started doing drugs and ended up going to prison. In prison, I worked out every day. I started benching 350. When I got out of prison, I wanted to go back to work and get off disability. I went to rehab, and they sent me to MERS Goodwill to help me find a job that would be suitable. I could have gone back to construction, but how long was it going to take before I injured myself again? All I knew was construction — that was all I did most of my life.
Woman Who Sought Goodwill's Help Now Helps Others in Her Shoes
In 2008, Bernice Jepson approached Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette for help in finding a job. She was 54 and struggling with the emotional repercussions resulting from abuse she experienced as a child. Immediately, the staff at Goodwill Industries® saw something special in Jepson and knew she had the potential to work at Goodwill®. For her commitment to helping people with disabilities and workplace challenges, Jepson has been honored with Goodwill Industries International’s 2011 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff.
READ MORE from Woman Who Sought Goodwill's Help Now Helps Others in Her Shoes
My Story: Robin Wilkins
I was born in Omaha, NE. I really don’t remember too much about my childhood life, but starting around ages 12-17, I found myself out of control. I went through the juvenile justice system, including youth centers and group homes, to help me learn to respect authority. I fell into gangs and violence. I didn’t really like school much, so I had problems there too. As I began to get older, I began to start settling down and trying to figure out what I was going to do with myself. I tried to slow down, go to school and get good grades, and I needed some assistance to motivate me more and keep positive.
Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana Honored with Goodwill® Advocacy Leader Award
Rockville, MD – Goodwill Industries International has named Goodwill Industries® of North Louisiana (Shreveport) as an Advocacy Leader in 2011. The award recognizes a Goodwill® agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s policy and advocacy efforts to further Goodwill’s mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. The agency is also recognized for building strong relationships with federal and state policymakers.
READ MORE from Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana Honored with Goodwill® Advocacy Leader Award
Congress Passes Final Budget Deal
Today, Congress passed a final budget deal to fund the government through the remainder of the fiscal year that ends on September 30, 2011. If signed by the president as expected, the final deal includes an across-the-board cut of 0.2 percent. In addition, several funding sources that local Goodwill® agencies care about will be further reduced.
