Success Story

Florida Welder and Family Forge a New Life

In 2001, Chris's husband abandoned her and their two sons, leaving in his wake an emotionally scarred and destitute family. It was a watershed moment for Chris - one that would, for good or bad, touch every moment of her life to follow.

All at once a single mother, she was left alone to care for two sons, Cody (age 11) and P.J. (age 9), both of whom had special needs. Previously, Chris had worked a night shift, but quality, affordable childcare was hard to come by - and keeping that job was no longer an option. Lacking an education and job skills, she was not in a position to acquire a job that would pay enough to support her family.

Compounding the situation was her psychological state and that of her sons. Although the abuse endured by Chris, Cody, and P.J. had ceased, the traumatic aftermath bore heavily upon them. She says, “After many years of physical and emotional abuse, we were in desperate need of counseling.”

It was in this diminished state that she turned to Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL, seeking some means of improving the life situation for her family. Clearing one of the biggest obstacles on her path to a better life, Goodwill arranged counseling for both her and her sons. Chris became better able to contend with the difficulties she faced, reconcile those that haunted her past, and focus on challenges before her.

During the orientation for Goodwill's Working Solutions program, she learned that she could get the job training and assistance she needed. Her caseworker helped her arrange for childcare and transportation. With the encouragement of Goodwill staff she began to pursue a non-traditional course of study that would capitalize on her artistic ability.

She enrolled in technical school in November of 2001, with a focus on applied welding technologies. In 2003, she graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. The day she graduated, Chris interviewed with Black & Decker and began working for them the following Monday.

Today, Chris is self-sufficient and independent. The job she earned with Black & Decker has eliminated her dependency on welfare. She occasionally speaks at area high schools and at the technical school from which she graduated, motivating students to continue their education, and urging women to pursue careers in skilled trades.  

Source: Working! Summer 2004