User Locations CATEGORY: MY STORY MY STORY: KEVIN RICKSY Posted on November 11, 2021 (November 16, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org From the minister who hired individuals to mend, and repair used goods, to the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to protect the freedom, democracy, rights, and privileges of our great country, these individuals are an integral part to a community’s ability to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Within this group, is Kevin Ricksy. Read More... MY STORY: CARMELA ALLEN Posted on October 1, 2021 by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org In May 2021, Carmela Allen found herself out of work and out of hope after the impact of her alcohol use led to a second touchpoint with jail and the loss of her Social Security Disability benefits. She didn’t have enough money to pay the bills and lacked the self-esteem she needed to find work in a new field. Everything had changed since she left her role as a nurse several years earlier. Read More... MY STORY: DIONDRE OUZTS Posted on September 30, 2021 (September 30, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org Growing up, Diondre Ouzts says he was never motivated or inspired by learning. For him, school was always more about sports and socializing than academics. By the time he made it to high school, his athletic talents were his primary reason for attending. Several setbacks and mistakes caused him to become academically ineligible to play high school football. Feeling defeated and disappointed in his fate, Diondre ultimately decided to drop out of school and never imagined he would obtain his high school diploma. Read More... MY STORY: TONYA ALVAREZ Posted on September 28, 2021 (September 27, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org Whether you are a community member, a caseworker, or a client, all who enter the SC Works Greenville center are greeted by the enthusiastic voice of Ms. Tonya Alvarez. Since January 2021, Alvarez has helped to create a positive and memorable experience for SC Works’ visitors. Beyond connecting guests to appropriate staff, she often finds herself problem solving with clients. Given her previous experience as a law enforcement professional, Alvarez states that, “managing challenging incidents and problem solving with clients, is two of the many job duties [she] enjoys.” Read More... MY STORY: SHARRIE NIX Posted on September 27, 2021 (September 27, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org If you stop by the patient waiting area at Indiana University Methodist Hospital at 4:30 am, you might be greeted by the calming voice of Ms. Sharrie Nix. Since late 2020, Sharrie has been helping patients check-in and prepare for surgery. She also assists with care coordination by connecting family members and doctors following each procedure. Sharrie is no stranger to early mornings or nervous patients given that she has been in the healthcare industry for more than 30 years. Read More... MY STORY: GLORIA COE Posted on August 18, 2021 (September 22, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org One in every five jobless Americans are people over the age of 55. At a time when employers need to build resilience, older workers can play a critical role. Older workers bring experience, reliability and perspective to every workplace setting. Read More... MY STORY: DELLA TURNER Posted on July 1, 2021 by Katherine Michaud Smith In October of 2019, Della Turner found herself out of work. Everything had changed since she last searched for employment, and companies that were hiring required skills that she did not learn in her line of work. She knew it was time to update her skills. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security referred Della Goodwill Industries of Mississippi (Ridgeland) WIN Job Center, where she enrolled in digital skills training. Read More... MY STORY: ELTON FIELDS Posted on June 17, 2021 (August 20, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org Elton spent many years out of work before coming to Goodwill. He often performed heavy manual labor to make ends meet, but the cycle eventually became burdensome, so he sought help from the Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP) at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Roanoke, VA. Read More... MY STORY: KEVIN Posted on May 20, 2021 by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org One such individual is Kevin, who lost his job during the pandemic. At the time, he lacked resources to repair his car and travel to interviews. For several weeks, he had looked for new employment, but he didn’t have the skills necessary to navigate the services for veterans in his area. Read More... MY STORY: CEYLIN BROOKS Posted on May 4, 2021 by Katherine Michaud Smith When Ceylin Brooks decided to leave the Air Force after serving for six years, she moved from the Hurlburt Field Air Force installation in Northwest Florida to Tampa. The transition to civilian life was a little difficult, especially when it came to looking for a job. Read More... MY STORY: MARY STRICKLAND Posted on April 27, 2021 (April 29, 2021) by Katherine Michaud Smith Mary Strickland’s difficulties with mental health began after high school. In 2007, she was a student at the local university working on a bachelor’s degree at the age of 18. Then, one day, she stopped going to class. Suddenly, she was too tired and worn out to even get dressed and drive. In 2010, she Read More... MY STORY: DENEAL TRUEBLOOD-LYNCH Posted on April 21, 2021 (April 28, 2021) by mercedes.castro@goodwill.org Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the power of work. A disability, lack of education, poverty or criminal history should not stand in anyone’s way when seeking employment. But the reality is, many people in our communities face challenges to finding work as a result of their circumstances. Read More... POSTS NAVIGATION 1 2 3 … 27 » FOR MORE INFORMATION, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FAQs Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Accessibility Policy Site Map GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 15810 Indianola Drive Rockville, Md 20855 Help Center GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT REGISTERED IN THE US UNDER EIN: 53-0196517 “Goodwill” is a Registered Trademark of Goodwill Industries International, Inc. © 2009-2021 Goodwill International. All rights reserved