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."
Category: My Story
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
My Story—Sean MacGregor
The job center was a great resource for me. Not only just to get this job. Now I’m comfortable knowing that if anything happens with this job, I know immediately where to go and what to do.
My Story – Robbie Green
I have been given a second chance. I’m trying to correct things and I think God put me here for a reason. I love life now. They told me I would never work, but I’ve been at Goodwill Industries of Forth Worth for almost two years. They told me I wouldn’t drive; I have a van in the parking lot. They told me that I wouldn’t live alone; I have been living alone in an apartment. When I first came to Goodwill, I didn’t know anything about computers. With training and patience from the staff at Goodwill, I learned how to work with hard drives and refurbish computers.
My Story – Cristina Pastor
After getting laid off in Florida, Cristina Pastor moved to Buffalo, NY, to be near family. Goodwill Industries of Western New York helped her find a job with regular daytime hours that gives her plenty of time with her five children.
