Jeremy’s journey with Goodwill Kentucky began while he was still incarcerated at Blackburn Correctional Complex. He attended a workshop led by the Goodwill Aspire program, which ultimately changed the course of his life.
“I didn’t know much about Goodwill,” Jeremy said. “But they told me about the Aspire program and how it was for people with justice-involved backgrounds. I got sold on the idea, and once I was committed, I was fully committed.”
After serving three and a half years, Jeremy was released and began rebuilding his life with support from the Aspire program. He first lived at Dismas House in Louisville before transitioning into Goodwill Housing. Jeremy completed job-readiness training through Goodwill and earned certifications in Google AI Essentials and Customer Service.
After working at the St. Matthews store as a production clerk and material handler, Jeremy became a peer support specialist at Goodwill’s Downtown Opportunity Center, helping individuals with essential needs like obtaining IDs, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and more. Today, Jeremy works as a career coach for Goodwill’s Mission Integration team, guiding more than 40 individuals working to rebuild their lives.
“The support I’ve gotten along the way, from the retail side to the Career Services side, helped me learn everything quickly,” Jeremy said. “It was big jump after big jump, but the transition from retail to Career Services was the one I was waiting for.”
Now four years sober, Jeremy said he is committed to using his journey to guide others.
“I’m so grateful to Goodwill for seeing potential instead of past mistakes,” he said. “I’m finally in a position to help others the way I was helped. Who better to pass that on than someone with personal experience?”
Jeremy credits Goodwill Kentucky and the Aspire program, including Steven, his career coach, Kaycee, his manager, and Leonard, his former director, with helping change his life.
“Goodwill actually coming into the prisons changed my life, no doubt,” he said. “It transformed my life. And I know others whose lives have been changed because of Aspire.”
Now, every day, Jeremy helps others find the same opportunity he once received.
“I am the mission,” he said, “so I believe in it.”