Success Stories

Crystal Willis

Crystal came to Goodwill Industries- Big Bend, Inc.’s Career Training Center in Thomasville, GA in 2009 as a 24 year old with multiple barriers to employment. She was a resident of Goodwill’s Thomasville GIBB Village and received additional assistance from other local agencies that help people with disabilities.  Crystal has Cerebral Palsy; and a driving ambition to support herself. She came to Goodwill’s Career Training Center with the goal of getting a job. Her assets included a supportive family and a determined attitude.

Initially Goodwill assessed Crystal’s abilities and possible career matches by providing her the opportunity to participate in the Transitional Work Experience program.  Her first job task was to sort shoes and prepare them for sale. She learned quickly and took her responsibilities very seriously. Other Goodwill staff members also learned quickly the characteristics of Cerebral Palsy which include, instability in movement and a heightened awareness of and response to sudden sounds. As staff learned of these characteristics they became watchful of their own behavior. Crystal was very resistant to receiving special treatment, despite people’s understandable desire to protect her, and insisted on dealing with her responsibilities and situation herself.

Crystal’s goal was to work in a clerical position. A local assisted living facility allowed Crystal to volunteer to help her gain experience in filing and using the switchboard. She volunteered there for many months and was eventually offered a part time position, which she continues to this day. Crystal’s case with Goodwill’s Career Training Center was closed successfully but she continues to volunteers once a week to assist with clerical tasks and research local job opportunities for Goodwill Career Training Center participants. In addition to this she planned her wedding to P.J., who was also a resident at the G.I.B.B. Thomasville Village, and was happily married October 2011. In December 2011, Crystal achieved another goal of home ownership.

 

Leslie Hudson

Leslie Hudson came to Goodwill Industries- Big Bend, Inc. in February 2011 for a Computer Workshop. Upon completing the workshop she enrolled in the Goodwill Job Placement Program. With the help of a Goodwill store manager and an Employment Specialist, Leslie was hired as a Goodwill clothes processor. Leslie knew she needed some help to get her life back on track. As a single mother of three she wanted a better life for her family. With no access to transportation she had to pay for rides. After a few months on the job, Leslie saw that Goodwill does more than help people find jobs. As part of the Goodwill Earn and Learn Program for employees, she enrolled in computer classes, GED classes, and the Money Sense workshop. During the Money Sense workshop, she had the opportunity to pull her credit report and look for balance mistakes. Leslie found out that she owed money to some creditors, so she called them to discuss a payment plan. She is taking responsibility for her past, and is moving on to her future. Leslie also enrolled into the GED program because she knew a high school diploma would allow her to move up the corporate ladder and apply for other jobs. Leslie started studying in the Valparaiso Computer Lab, and worked on homework at her house. She was very determined and knew that passing the GED test and getting a diploma would change her life forever. Leslie and another GED student found a ride to Marianna and drove 50 miles to take the official two-day GED test in July. Leslie passed the test and scored high enough to earn her high school diploma! “Goodwill is helping me change my life for the better” said Leslie. Leslie inspires her co-workers with her determination and motivation, and her winning smile. She exemplifies the word “success,” and we are glad to have her as part of the Goodwill family.

George Smith

George Smith is a homeless unemployed veteran who arrived in Tallahassee, Florida from Valdosta Georgia. He is a participant in the computer training lab. George is also participating in the Homeless Veterans Rehabilitation Program. He came to the computer training lab after a friend told him how beneficial the program was. George invested his time into learning as much about computers as he could, and so far has completed the computer basics class and has earned proficiency certification in computer basics and Windows XP. George has since used his computer knowledge and confidence to become a local speaker in and around the Tallahassee area concerning issues of homelessness. George is a current member of the Tallahassee Homeless Speakers Bureau. He also went on to speak at the Quarterly Crisis Intervention training for the area’s Law Enforcement Officers.

George is a regular speaker in and around the Tallahassee area, as he continually receives invitations to local churches to recite his self written inspirational poetry. He is currently enrolled at Tallahassee Community College to begin classes in the fall semester of 2011. George will pursue a degree in culinary arts, and plans to apply his computer knowledge to assist him in his studies and one day to own his own restaurant. George has plans to continue using all the services Goodwill Big Bend has to offer, and acknowledges the fact that “without the services and support that I received from the CTC Department, I would not be on the road to achieving all of my goals today.”

You can find George increasing his computer skills at the Tallahassee Career Training Center, so keep an eye out for him. We expect to hear more wonderful things about him in the future!

Angela Bailey

Angela Bailey was raised in a good, loving, Christian home, but she chose to waste many years of her life on drugs and criminal activity.

Angela was a hard core drug addict, heavily addicted to crack cocaine. She was sentenced to prison after being charged with accessory to murder after watching her boyfriend beat to death an elderly man and not report it to the authorities.  She lost her children and her life was at an ultimate low. During her time in prison, Angela got clean and got a job as a clothes processor in the Crawfordville Goodwill store. She worked during the day as part of the work release program with the Wakulla County Jail.  Angela did such a great job, after her release from prison she was promoted to 3^rd key then ultimately assistant manager. Angela has regained custody of her children and regularly speaks with other drug addicts about her journey, recovery, and success.

Jeanette Williams

In August 2010, Jeanette Williams came to Goodwill’s Career Training Center in Thomasville, GA with little paid work history. She had experience as a homemaker and a strong desire to become independent and self-supporting.

Her love of people, both old and young, combined with a willingness to help, provided a good foundation for her to build a career. Jeanette was referred to childcare and eldercare facilities. Goodwill CTC’s orientation stresses networking as a way to greatly improve prospects of getting hired, by using the help of other people to find and get a job. Ms. Williams used this to good effect in her church; she was proud to get her first position as a part-time caregiver for a community member.

A subsequent part-time job as a caregiver in a church nursery was followed by another part-time position with a company that contracts with individuals to provide in-home care. In addition to juggling schedules for three part-time jobs, she decided to move her career forward by taking classes and obtaining certification as a Nurse’s Assistant. She completed this in April 2011 and received her certificate. Now she is taking classes to get her LPN certification and will use this to further her career.

Merrill Jones

Merill came to Goodwill on October 22, 2009 the first week the Bradfordville store was open. She had ridden a bike from her mother’s home in Killearn Lakes. She sat Mary Ann and Melanie down, asked for a job and told them she was ready to turn her life around. “I have two boys and I am on probation,” said Merrill. ” I am going to prove to you and my mother I can do this.”

Merrill had been incarcerated for twenty-one months and had just been released to live with her mother. Together they were able to get her boys back within the year. Today, she has full custody of them and is still living with her mother.

She is a Shoe and Accessories Processor but is cross-trained in E & M and Wares. She celebrated her year anniversary in October 2010 and was recognized as the Employee Success Story for the Board of Directors meeting.