GOODWILL Success Stories
Nyeshia showed her daughter “not to give up on school”
Nyeshia didn’t get the chance to finish high school when she was a teenager because of several distractions in her life, but her dream of getting her high school diploma never died – because she wanted to show her daughter, Na Na, that school is important. After...
Goodwill helped fulfill Tracy’s life
“I have multiple felonies. I thought I would have to work in a factory for the rest of my life. I never thought I could be anything. Not only did Goodwill give me a chance to work there, but they helped me leave.” Tracy was living in a sober living home when she...
Goodwill is a “support system” for Joshua
In Joshua’s past, he ran with the wrong people and “got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” which led to a drug charge and a two-year sentence in a federal penitentiary in Kansas. When he was released, he was sent to a halfway house in Bowling Green, two...
Goodwill helped Joseph find his independence
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...
Goodwill helped Erica “start from scratch”
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...
Kelsey’s “past doesn’t have to define her”
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,...
It’s a family affair for Brandon at the 2nd Chance Outlet
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...
Tony got his second chance at Goodwill in Lexington
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...
Dub found a second home at Goodwill’s 2nd Chance Outlet
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....
Goodwill, Cars to Work provide “hope and inspiration” for Boone
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...
Judy benefits big from SCSEP
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 turned his “pain into purpose” after 27 years of addiction
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...
Angela’s celebrating her sobriety during Second Chance Month
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...
Claire is able to move on with her life with help from Goodwill’s expungement program
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 found a reason to smile at Goodwill
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...
Akeim is following his dream with help from the Young Adult Opportunity Center
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...
Goodwill was Jaguar’s “jumpstart” to a better life
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: “My past is finally resting where it belongs … in the past!”
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...
Nikki uses the suffering from her past to inspire others at Goodwill
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...
Alishia launched her career with help from Goodwill, Power of Work
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...