Despite some challenges stemming from a intellectual disability, Josh MrKvicka completed high school and looked forward to the next step…a job! Josh needed help tackling the job search. After trying another agency with no luck, Josh and his family gave Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas (Kansas City, MO) a try. He and Goodwill employment specialist, Jane Siela, went to work. He now works at Freddy’s Restaurant in St. Joseph, MO as a "Lobby Guy".
Tag: External Employees
My Story: Tina Bouatic
At age 14, my parents got divorced. They were both drinking and fighting a lot. I started hanging with the wrong crowd. I started cutting school, cutting classes and began to smoke cigarettes. Eventually, while doing drugs and drinking – I went out, stayed out late. I basically stopped going to school. I got pregnant.
My Story: Nadia Patterson
When Nadia Patterson moved from New York to North Carolina with her children, she had limited job prospects. Goodwill Industries of the Southern PIedmont (Charlotte, NC) helped her get back on track by earning her GED, pursuing secondary education and landing a job in her dream field as a pharmacy technician.
Kingsport, TN Goodwill Helps Participants Succeed Through Re-Entry Program
Goodwill Industries of Tenneva (Kingsport) helps individuals with criminal backgrounds complete the last step, intervention, by addressing their employability concerns with re-entering the workforce through classes at the Day Reporting Center (DRC). The DRC provides education, sobriety and works to reduce criminal intent for probationers and parolees. Graduation from the DRC program in Johnson City, TN is a big deal for the participants of the grant funded program of the Targeted Community Crime Reduction Project (TCCRP). This past January, two participants, Chris Rowe and Jason Nickles, received their certificate of graduation with smiles and enthusiasm for the next chapter of their lives.
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My Story: Nick Biddlecome
With Goodwill’s help, a man from Indiana lands a full-time job at a local plant. He is now saving to buy a house that he and his young son can call home.
My Story – Kylie Corp
During my school years I remember being an easy target because I was picked on a lot by the other kids. It got harder and harder for me to go to school, but I finally finished high school in 2007. I had no future plans and remained home with my family for the next three
My Story: Tanyel Johnson
Tanyel quit her job to attend to the needs of her children, specifically, her son with a disability, while her husband worked. Not working caused her to fall into a depression. She saw a commercial for Goodwill's services and later connected with the agency in Omaha for a six-month customer service training. She landed an internship,which then led to permanent employment that allows her to still attend to her son's needs when needed.
My Story – Cody Pacht
After high school, Cody was excited to start the next phase of his life but didn't know where to begin. He connected with the Colorado Springs' "Pursuits" program, where he gained confidence and built his job skills. At the conclusion of the program, he found a job at a local car dealership. "Now that I look back and see how far I have come and how much I have achieved, I realize that there is nothing out of my reach," he says.
Little Rock Goodwill Assists Residents with Health Care Enrollment
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas (Little Rock) is offering Arkansans who qualify the opportunity to enroll in free or low-cost health insurance plans at select area Goodwill retail stores. The collaboration with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield began on November 11 with Blue Cross and Blue Shield staff visiting 12 Little Rock Goodwill locations on specific days of the week
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My Story: Katlyn Napier
Katlyn expected to find a job right out of high school, but found employers were looking for people with more experience. After connecting with Goodwill, she gained the training and support she needed to land a job and enroll in college.
