Goodwill Industries uses money it raises from donations to fund life-changing career resources and training for 1.7 million people each year. Among the organization’s many success stories are those of Mariah and Juan.
Mariah
Mariah came to her local Goodwill chapter, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, looking for help in becoming economically self-sufficient. Through the New Orleans-based chapter, she underwent training that gave her the tools to start building her career.
The services she received from the chapter’s job coaches resonated with her so much that she decided she wanted to become a coach herself. After completing Goodwill’s Career Coach and Navigator Professional Certificate, she was hired by the organization as a career navigator assistant.
Working in this position has helped Mariah achieve her goal of becoming more financially independent. What’s more, she’s able to give back to people who, as she once did, need a hand up in launching their careers.
Juan
In partnership with Google, Goodwill is helping to train a modern-day workforce by offering free certification programs that give job seekers the skills to pursue careers in tech. Among those who have benefited from this program is Juan.
Juan, whose story Goodwill shared as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, came to Goodwill Industries of South Florida after hearing about the programs. The Miami-based chapter helped him learn more about them; from there, he decided which one was right for him. Motivated to launch a career in IT, he enrolled in the Google IT Support Certification program.
Through the program, he developed the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue his dreams. Juan, whose independence and proactive attitude was evident to the members of Goodwill’s staff, is a shining example of what can happen when someone who’s motivated to change their life is given the support to do just that.