Pamela, a lifelong track-and-field athlete, joined the Army's World Class Athlete Program after missing the Olympic team by two spots. Following her time in the military, she faced more than a year of unemployment and struggled to find a match between her military skills and civilian positions. After connecting with Goodwill, she was hired as an employment specialist and later promoted to program manager, where she now helps other veterans get back on their feet.
Tag: Women
My Story: Rosa Barbarito
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Rosa was entrusted with top secret information and served her country for three years. After becoming pregnant, she left the military and embarked on a retail career. She found her way to Goodwill, where she's worked for the last four years. "Seeing people's lives change is what makes me happy," she says.
Health Care Industry Training Enables Path to Self Sufficiency in California
Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (Long Beach) is now in the seventh year of its Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide training program. Between 2008 and 2012, nearly 900 people have been trained through this program, an 11-week program combining classroom instruction with hands on clinical training. These students in cohorts of 10-20 people receive the clinical training by Long Beach School for Adults instructors with weekly tests. They then attend an employer’s breakfast — set up “speed dating” style — that allows them to meet one-on-one with employers looking to hire.
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In Atlanta, Goodwill® Helps Women Gain Employment in Traditionally Male-Dominated Fields
Goodwill of North Georgia (Atlanta) runs two programs that train women in non-traditional jobs such as highway construction and carpentry: Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations and Georgia Women in Highway Construction. Participants receive assistance in paying dues, obtaining transportation, obtaining apprenticeships, interview experience, resume preparation and more. “They really feel like [the program is] a brand-new start,” said Mandy Trowell, construction training program manager. “They knew they could do this, and they are just as tough as the men. Once they’ve gotten the job and maintained it, they’re able to really support their families for the first time in a lot of cases.”
In WV, Goodwill®-Community College Partnership Helps Participants Build Skills, Advance Education
Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area and Mountwest Community and Technical College's partnership dates back to 2005, when an instructor was teaching a part-time computer class at MCTC and at Goodwill. She realized that the Goodwill participants were doing the same amount and caliber of work as the MCTC students, and believed they should earn the same college credit hours. As the organizations shared their expertise, an original one-course partnership grew to three tracks that now allow students to accumulate 12 credit hours or more at Goodwill.
My Story: Remy Lawrence
Life threw Remy a curve ball and she found herself an unemployed single mother. "I felt like a statistic," she says. With support from Goodwill, she made the job connection she needed to find successful employment working with people with disabilities.
My Story: Joy Henry
Through numerous life and health challenges, Goodwill has been a constant in Joy's life. She says, "I can feel myself smiling, laughing and healing, and I truly feel cared about. This place is my therapy."
My Story: Pearline Haley
Pearline was two and half credits short of receiving her high school diploma when she connected with the Goodwill headquartered in Kalamazoo, MI. Thanks to their Life Guides program, she received the support she needed to be successful and return to school.
My Story: Laura Walling
When Laura landed a job at Goodwill's leadership office out of graduate school, she was excited to be able to advocate on behalf of Goodwill and the people it serves. "I know our democracy works, and I've seen firsthand how the collective voice of supporters can influence policymakers," Laura says. "I am honored to be one of our loudest voices."
My Story: Latonya Thomas
Latonya Thomas separated from the military at the time the economy was melting down, making it hard to find civilian employment. She had lost many of her assets and felt her life had plateaued when she was referred to Goodwill. She's now exploring new careers and working with staff to meet her educational and career goals and is optimistic about her future.
