This past week, our management training program for Team Leads and Assistant Store Managers (GREAT) celebrated the graduation of Cohort XIII.
We want to congratulate all graduates, including Tammy, an Assistant Manager II at our Mount Washington store, who had to “completely start over” 10 years ago.
“I was out in the madness, running around for about three years,” Tammy said. “Then, in 2017, I got locked up in February and they put me in drug court. (Since then) I haven’t looked back.”
While in drug court, she learned about the second chances offered by Goodwill. She was hired as a cashier in November 2017. Since then, she has been promoted to Team Lead at the Shepherdsville store, Assistant Manager and Assistant Manager II at the Hillview store, and now, she serves as an Assistant Manager II at Mount Washington.
Most importantly, she said, she regained custody of her daughter, who is now 14, and has purchased her own home and a vehicle.
“It’s a very amazing feeling to own my own home,” she said, “especially being a single mother and knowing I’ve done it all on my own. I have a lot of pride.”
With help from Career Coach Steve Davis, she’s taken part in several Goodwill programs and services. She has a new smile through Goodwill’s unique dental care program. She’s also had three misdemeanors expunged through Goodwill. She earned her GED through a Goodwill work-study program, and now, she’s a GREAT graduate.
“It has been a whirlwind,” she said. “I’m just so thankful for my support group and everyone who pushed me. They’ve seen more potential in me than I see in myself.”
Tammy said she takes pride in helping her employees the same way she was helped when she started at Goodwill.
“I love it,” she said. “It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to talk to people when they start their journey. I tell them, ‘There is hope.’ Goodwill will give anyone the tools and the resources to succeed and rebuild your life.”