In 2012, after losing his job at a local pizza joint that closed down, Joseph was introduced to Goodwill through Life Skills, an agency designed to connect people with disabilities to the resources they need. In Joseph’s case, that was employment. For the last two...

While other children were playing at age 11, Erica was selling drugs. “I come from a long line of convicted felons,” she explained. “I was molested at a young age, and I started doing drugs to cover up the pain. In my family, you weren’t allowed to show emotions; it...

In need of a second chance due to her background, Kelsey came to Goodwill looking for a fresh start. She was hired as a production clerk at our Georgetown location and has since been certified as a hanger.   She was matched with a free Goodwill career coach, Ashley,...

Brandon, a father of two, was working in fast food for three years when he came across a material handler position at our 2nd Chance Outlet in Louisville. “I needed a change of life. I was caretaking for my grandmother full time,” he explained. “My wife and I were...

After exiting jail, Tony was in rehabilitation at St. Anne’s in Louisville, where he heard a presentation about Goodwill. Then, prior to being released, he attended a career night at our Opportunity Center on Broadway in Louisville. “That’s how I found out there was...

When Dub lost nearly everyone and everything he had and was left with only an apartment to live in, he wasn’t sure what to do to start building his life back up again. Dub’s need for affordable household items led him to the Goodwill 2nd Chance Outlet in Louisville....

Boone was born into poverty and as a result became homeless. He was able to find places to stay with different relatives, but he couldn’t find an opportunity to escape that cycle – until he was introduced to Goodwill nine months ago. “Every direction I tried on my...

May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. At Goodwill, we celebrate Older Americans Month by sharing stories from our Senior Community Service & Employment Program (SCSEP), a program...

Kenny struggled on and off with addiction for 27 years before experiencing rock bottom, which came in the form of overdosing in a dumpster. He relocated to Kentucky for treatment, but was without a home, job, vehicle or support system, his addiction having destroyed...

Today, April 6, Angela is celebrating six months of sobriety after struggling with addiction for 30 years. As we recognize National Second Chance Month in April, we wanted to share her story and join in her celebration: Last year, Angela was arrested and spent 17 days...

When Claire was 19 years old, she made a mistake that put a blemish on her criminal background. While applying for a job last year, she was denied because of that record. Without the means to hire an attorney to have her record expunged, Claire didn’t have many...

Heather didn’t have a good childhood. Growing up in Covington, Kentucky, she was faced with family issues that eventually led her down a dark path. “That led me to using drugs and hanging out with the wrong people," she said. "I kept hanging out with the wrong people...

Originally from Louisiana, Akeim and his family were forced to move to Texas after Hurricane Katrina ripped through their community in 2005. Not long after, Akeim fell for a girl who lived in Kentucky. After experiencing multiple family issues, he wanted to find a way...

When Jaguar and his wife got divorced, he lost a lot more than just his significant other. He was out more than $100,000 and was forced to sleep in his car for two years. The most important loss, however, may have been Jaguar’s business contacts. He was a successful...

Nakia “physically felt the chains falling off” when she was approved to have her record cleared through Goodwill’s expungement services. Nakia became pregnant with her first child at age 15. She welcomed a baby girl who suffered medical issues for three years before...

After an 18-month prison sentence for a drug-related conviction, Nikki – a single mother of four – worked diligently to become a certified peer support specialist and training facilitator. In February 2022, accepted a job as program director for Supportive Roads...

When Alishia had her firstborn child, a son, he experienced medical complications. That forced her to take time off from work. Eventually, she made the decision to go back to school. Before going back to school, Alishia went through the KentuckianaWorks Power of Work...

Five years ago, Angie moved from Florida to Kentucky with her family. When it was time for her to look for a job, she wasn’t sure where to start. Angie wanted to find a job as soon as possible. Her search led her to Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, where she was hired...

Corey was looking for self-support resources earlier this year when he learned about Goodwill’s Louisville Opportunity Center at 909 East Broadway. When he arrived at the Center, he found so much more than he expected. “I came to Goodwill because I wanted to get $300...

Victoria began using drugs when she was 16 and was in active addiction for 22 years. When she realized she needed to change, she didn’t know how. A Letcher County native, Victoria’s journey led her to long-term treatment in Somerset. Despite a relapse, she completed...