Goodwill Industries International was established more than 120 years ago with the goal of creating job opportunities for people in Boston. In the years since, it has grown into vast network that, with the help of donations, has furnished a range of career-related services to close to 2 million individuals around the world.
Each day, more than 300 people find new jobs with Goodwill’s help. As spotlighted on Goodwill’s website, these success stories include:
Irene Hernandez
Irene Hernandez came to Goodwill looking to develop the professional skills she needed to be a part of the modern workforce. Owing to her responsibilities first as a mother and then as a grandmother, she hadn’t held a job in 15 years. She also lacked confidence in herself and in others, thanks in part to an unhealthy marriage.
Knowing she needed to gain a measure of independence in her life, she enrolled in Goodwill’s Digital Career Accelerator program after seeing a flyer for the program at her library. At the time of her enrollment, a Goodwill career navigator made Ms. Hernandez aware of all the resources and programs available to her, including one that could help her daughter pay for her medication.
Ms. Hernandez has since completed the Basic Digital Skills Training certificate in addition to several courses in Spanish translation. She intends to finish another professional certificate from Goodwill, and she credits the organization with helping her to rebuild both her career and her confidence.
Stan Nesby
Stan Nesby spent nearly four decades as a long-haul truck driver before health issues forced his retirement. Knowing he needed to acquire new skills, he found his way through his local Washington state Goodwill to the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
Through SCSEP, Mr. Nesby developed computer and office skills that allowed him to obtain a full-time position at the Shiloh Men’s Retreat. There, along with his administrative responsibilities, he serves as a counselor of sorts to the male residents, a perfect fit for someone who, like Mr. Nesby, takes pride in helping others.
While unfortunately often overlooked, older Americans can play a vital role in strengthening America’s workforce. Mr. Nesby thanks Goodwill for connecting him with SCESP, and he encourages similarly aged Americans who are struggling to find a job to contact the program.