GOODWILL Success Stories
Christina broke down barriers with help from Goodwill
An abusive relationship led Christina down a dark path of addiction and incarceration. After four years in prison, she tried to convince her son he was better off without her. She said that was her rock bottom. She checked herself into rehab and “turned to God.” Not...
Mallory found her worth with help from Goodwill
When Mallory was released from prison two years ago, she said her family “wanted nothing to do” with her, so she wasn’t sure where to turn to start rebuilding her life. A friend who worked at Goodwill’s Paducah store reached out to tell her they were hiring. Just...
Amber has the gift of transportation with help from Goodwill
Without reliable transportation, Amber couldn’t search for a better job to better support her family. But that changed on Wednesday, October 2 when she was gifted a vehicle through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides Program and the Goodwill Cars to Work...
Tammy hasn’t looked back since becoming sober, joining Goodwill
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...
Goodwill’s SCSEP improved Rhonda’s quality of life
This week, we at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky observes National Employ Older Workers Week, a time to acknowledge the vital role of older workers in the workforce. At Goodwill, we serve individuals 55 years old or older through our Senior Community Service...
Goodwill “lit a fire under” Paula, helped her reach self-sufficiency
In 2019, Paula became unhoused in her hometown of Bowling Green. During that time, she stayed with friends but could never get back on her feet due to multiple illnesses and disabilities. “I didn’t have enough money saved up on my own,” she said. “I was so sick that I...
Levi is rebuilding his life with help from the Paducah Opportunity Center
On November 11, 2023, Levi was assigned to a halfway house in Paducah. Following his assignment, he started searching for career-readiness opportunities so he could prepare himself for his release on November 11, 2025. That’s when he learned about the programs and...
LC is proud to work for Goodwill Commercial Services
Meet a member of our commercial services team, LC, who may or may not be known as “the greatest janitor in the world.” “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to work for Goodwill. The dream began while thrift shopping with my mom,” LC said. “After I got out of prison, my...
Rosa gets a Hand Up for Housing from Goodwill
Earlier this year, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council awarded Goodwill $400,000 to facilitate a new housing program called Hand Up for Housing. Through the program, Goodwill helps eligible clients obtain stable housing, pays their first month’s rent and...
Pikeville resident Jennifer gets the support she needs from Goodwill
Jennifer – a mother of three – was deep into addiction, living at a hotel, when she was charged with a misdemeanor. “The judge gave me a chance to do treatment, and I was really grateful, even though I didn’t want to go,” Jennifer said. “I went to a sober living home,...
AJ found his dream job with help from Goodwill
After losing his job in his hometown of West Memphis, Arkansas, AJ moved to Radcliff in 2017 to live with his brother and find temporary employment so he could buy his daughter a Christmas present. His ultimate goal was to obtain his Commercial Driver's License...
Goodwill “adopted” Sarah, changed her life “forever”
Due to an abusive relationship, Sarah relocated from Florida to Kentucky when she was 35 weeks pregnant but had trouble obtaining meaningful employment. “No one wanted to hire me, either because of my record or my belly,” she said. “I was a single mom with two babies,...
Despite a disadvantaged background, Goodwill helped Sarah grow
Sarah was residing in a sober living home near our Ring Road store in Elizabethtown when she became interested in working for Goodwill. “I saw a Goodwill advertisement and thought, ‘What a good place to work,’” Sarah explained. “I could see myself standing behind...
Tevin went from homeless to assistant manager with Goodwill’s help
Tevin was homeless when he learned about Goodwill. Tevin accepted one day of work as part of Goodwill’s Another Way program. Program leaders use Goodwill transportation to canvass highly trafficked areas of the city, such as homeless shelters, highways, byways and...
Older Americans Month: Ardith’s SCSEP story
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in...
Older Americans Month: Teena’s SCSEP story
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in...
Older Americans Month: Donna’s SCSEP story
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in...
Married couple Tommy and Jennifer Simcoe found their second chance at Goodwill
April is Second Chance Month, and marrie couple Jennifer and Tommy Simcoe both found their second chances at Goodwill. Tommy started as a material handler at our Hikes Point store and is now the Louisville E-commerce manager. After beginning her career as a cashier...
Goodwill is Nielen’s first job in the U.S.
Nielen immigrated to the United States from the Philippines 17 years ago. Nielen’s niece told her about a job opening at Goodwill, and she has worked at our Millpond store in Lexington ever since. “They interviewed me the same day I applied,” Nielen explained. “I had...
Bridgette is the first to utilize Work & Learn to earn her diploma from The Excel Center
Bridgette was working at the Northfield store as a material handler when she enrolled in our Work & Learn program. Through the program, Bridgette was able to work 20 hours per week at the store and use her remaining 20 hours to take classes at The Excel Center,...