When Donald stepped onto the TARC bus fresh out of a halfway house, he wasn’t sure where his life was headed—only that it needed to be different. He approached a stranger and asked a simple question: “Which bus do I need to take?” That question sparked a conversation that would change his life.
“He told me, ‘I have somewhere for you to go,’” Donald said.
That stranger was Andrew Gillette, the director of development at Goodwill Kentucky, and the place he pointed Donald to was the Goodwill West Louisville Opportunity Center. By the time the two encountered each other again, Donald was employed by Goodwill.
“It was incredible to see from my perspective,” Andrew said. “He had the confidence to ask me which bus he needed to be on. He shared his story with me on the ride. … I told him, ‘Right next door—you need to check that place out.’”
In less than a year, Donald has earned three promotions and now serves as a career coach for Goodwill’s transportation assistance programs. He also rebuilt his credit and purchased his own car.
“Blessings, one after another after another,” he said. “I never would have thought I would have the joy I have day-to-day in my sobriety. People say your best day high is nowhere near your worst day sober. I love my sobriety. It’s awesome—the joy I have, the blessings that come my way.”
Five years ago, Donald was sentenced to a federal penitentiary. Now, he has a renewed sense of faith and is helping others the same way he was helped. He said he has Andrew and Goodwillers Chad Vaughn, Northfield senior store manager, Martha Stephenson, vice president of career services, Emery Lee, West Louisville Opportunity Center director, and Anne Peak, West Louisville Opportunity Center manager, to thank.
“I can’t stop smiling,” he said. “It also strengthens me and keeps me moving forward. I’ve always wanted to do that. I told myself when I was locked up, I want to use what I’m going through for good. It was hard, but I’ll never forget that. I’m grateful for those times.”