GOODWILL Success Stories
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...
For Angie, working at Goodwill, helping others “is a feeling you can’t explain”
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...
Doors opened for Corey with help from Goodwill expungement
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...
Goodwill, Cars to Work program were “the game-changer” for Victoria
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...
Alexis got where she wanted to be at E’town Opportunity Center
Alexis had trouble finding a job because of her justice-involved background. While volunteering at Community Action in Elizabethtown, she was referred to Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and its Opportunity Center on Dixie Avenue in Elizabethtown. At the Opportunity...
Kim gained confidence through Goodwill’s SCSEP
Kim relocated to Kentucky from Florida where she last worked as a housekeeper. She faced many barriers that needed to be addressed – specifically emotional challenges that left her nearly paralyzed – before becoming employable. Because of these challenges, she...
Jose demonstrated strong work ethic through SCSEP
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month and on the heels of National Employ Older Workers Week, we want to feature one of our program participants and employees, Jose! In March 2022, Jose was referred to our Senior Community Service & Employment Program...
Tim “can still be somebody” with help from Goodwill job-readiness programming
When Tim was living in an addiction recovery center, he didn’t know where his life was headed. He didn’t have a job or any connections to resources. He considered turning back to alcohol. But once he connected with the Louisville Opportunity Center and the many...
Michelle’s powerful second chance
After serving a five-year prison sentence, Michelle left incarceration to stay at a faith-based transitional home – having only $60 and one pair of shoes to her name. “I knew it was going to be a hard road,” Michelle said. “I am in my mid-50s. It is hard to start over...
Savanna found her motivation, “success” at Goodwill in Louisville
Savanna was sentenced to 20 years in prison before she had the chance to grow up. When she was released, she had to start from square one. While bouncing around treatment facilities, she noticed others benefitting from the services provided at Goodwill. But the...
Donna found a second family in the Paducah Goodwill
Donna was an addict by age 13. A year later, she dropped out of ninth grade. Without a strong support system, she spiraled and ended up with a Class B felony on her record. After Donna was incarcerated, she relapsed while on probation but was given a second chance by...
Tremayne went from prison to published author with help from Goodwill
Tremayne grew up in poverty, and as a result, he was raised by the streets. According to him, he was taught he could do anything by himself. However, after three stints in prison, he realized he needed help becoming a valued member of society again. After an...
Berea Store Manager Amy has made the most of her second chance
In 2011, Amy was convicted of a felony. Because of her record, she found it hard to find and keep a job. She also lost custody of her children. Four years after her conviction, she began working at a Goodwill store in Ohio and learned about the mission behind...
Goodwill’s Another Way program opened doors for Mary
Earlier this year, Mary served nine months in jail for shoplifting. She was married with three children, but when she was released, she was put out on the street by her husband. “I was at my rock bottom,” Mary said. “Been arrested, got out, no home. I had no place to...
Dorlese needed Goodwill – and Goodwill needed her
Dorlese, a Louisville native, has spent much of her life searching for a job that was the best fit for her. She said she felt “lost.” “I never had a problem with authority,” she said. “But if you told me to go right, I wanted to go left.” That was until she found out...
Celebrating Beatrice and Chance, Congo refugees
Six years ago, Beatrice, her husband and five children relocated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kentucky. The family decided to relocate because of violence in their native Africa and to better support one of the children, Chance, who has a disability....
The power of second chances: Jessie’s success story
“I have been involved with drugs and alcohol my whole life,” Jessie said. “As a baby, there was whiskey in my bottle.” Jessie has served installments in prison – totaling 26 years – for drug-related charges before being released on parole. He transitioned to Second...
