Goodwill Industries connects more than 2 million people each year with services that help them grow their careers and improve their lives. Among the organization’s many success stories are those of William and Desteny.
William
William came to Goodwill at a time when he was struggling to find a career. An older American, he found that his lack of digital literacy prevented him from ably navigating the job market.
Through Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, William learned how to use a computer and even got his own email address. As William was drawing on his newfound skills to search for a job, Goodwill referred him to a soon-to-open company. William applied and was hired for a full-time position.
William credits the Goodwill staff for helping him to transform his life. He says his local Goodwill is a “godsend” and that each of the staff members with whom he interacted made him feel “wonderful.”
Desteny Malone
Desteny Malone was determined to improve her life and the lives of her daughters, but she faced numerous obstacles. Along with having to manage the responsibilities of motherhood, she lacked a high school diploma and had limited job prospects.
Malone came to Goodwill Kentucky in Louisville looking for help. She found it in the form of the Thrive program, through which she learned communication, time management, and decision-making skills.
Completing the program and developing new skills gave her the confidence to improve herself further. She enrolled in the customer service cohort at Goodwill Kentucky’s Young Adult Opportunity Center, where she earned a human service certification. The credential helped her land a job as a patient coordinator, a position that allowed her help others.
But Malone did not stop there. She completed her GED and since then has begun pursuing a child psychology degree. Today, thanks to the support of Goodwill and her own determination, she has created a better life for herself and her daughters.