My Story: Andi Petley

Andi Petley never thought of herself as an "overcomer." After battling a drug addition that lost her custody of her children, she knew a change had to be made. Hear how Andi overcame her fears and took back her life with support from Goodwill®.

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Goodwill® Simulated Community to Help People with Disabilities Build Life Skills

Beginning in May, Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs will launch a first-of-its-kind life skills program for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities called Possibilities, which will provide them opportunities to build the skills they need to succeed in everyday life in an engaging, hands-on environment.

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People with Brain Injuries Get Back to Work in Goodwill® Program

Herbert Garvin was working as a baggage handler at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport in 2005 when he experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm. After brain surgery and hospital rehabilitation, Garvin was unable to care for himself and moved back home with his parents. Motivated to provide for his family and daughter, Herbert came to Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire’s ADVANCE Acquired Brain Injury program. The program, an award-winning day program, provides assistance to people who experience a brain injury or other neurological disability.

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My Story: Sam Olmo

As a high school student, Sam participated in a work experience program with Goodwill that taught him valuable job skills. He continued to work with Goodwill after graduation, and his great work ethic earned him the position of team leader. An employee specialist at his local agency saw how hardworking Sam was and helped him advance in his career by connecting him with a position as a mail clerk at Medco. Sam says he now enjoys being able to provide for himself and his mother, and is proud of his newfound independence. Read on to hear Sam tell his story.

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My Story: Jesse McGirl

I have been with Arizona Goodwill for about five years. I have been in six different foster care homes. I was moved from my real parents when I was about nine years old because my parents weren’t real nice to me because I had a disability. I had ADHD, and it was hard for them to take care of me because I was hyper and not controlled at that time. When I was older and in high school, I had better people and better teachers. I did a project program when I first started at Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona called GoodWorks. It involved three weeks of training at the baler station, greeter station and hanging station, and custodian training – I hated cleaning bathrooms!

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Washington Man Builds Better Life with Goodwill's Help

Goodwill Industries International recently named Michael Bulling its 2011 Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year for his determination to gain skills training and secure a job working as a custodian for Capital Building Maintenance, which services the Seattle-Tacoma International (SEATAC) Airport.

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