Robert is 62 years old and has spent more than two-thirds of his life in prison. He has six prison numbers, five state and one federal. He watched his children grow up through pictures. He was released from his most recent stint, a 10-year sentence, 10 months ago. He...

In Bobby’s early 20s, he was arrested and incarcerated for 10 years for breaking and entering in his hometown in McCreary County. When he was released, the only things he had to his name were his prison jumpsuit and $72 in commissary money. “I missed out on both my...

Chastity abused drugs for 28 years before seeking help at a long-term treatment center in Somerset. At that time, she was 45 years old. “I never thought I would get out of that life,” she said. “At that age, most people don’t even live.” Chastity was introduced to...

When Leon was incarcerated, he lost everything he owned. He was accepted into a sober living home while he was still an inmate, but a requirement was that he had to provide for himself. That led Leon to participating in our Reintegrating Individuals Successfully Every...

As one of our facilitators, Gina has a passion for helping others reach self-sufficiency – and that goes beyond her day job. Gina has been writing poems since she was 10 years old, and she had her first collection of poems, titled, “When Prayer and Poetry Collide,”...

Since her recovery date of March 9, 2013, Chandra has been passionate about helping others struggling with addiction. In 2018, she was working at a drug rehabilitation center when she realized she wanted something a little more hands-on. That led her to Goodwill,...

Alesha lost her job when the restaurant where she previously worked shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That led her to interview with Goodwill, which she only knew as a reliable thrift store. She was hired at our Campbell Lane location just as the...

Four years ago, Terrell was shot and paralyzed by someone trying to steal his car. As a result, he lacked the independence he once had. After being introduced to Goodwill, Terrell applied for the Cars to Work program. He was matched with a car and had hand controls...

At Goodwill, we’re in the business of changing lives. And one way we accomplish that is through the many programs and services offered at our Louisville Resource Center. LeRoy Morgan, a participant of the Soft Skills Academy, GoodStart, Advancing Cities, expungement...

With a violent felony on her record, Samantha thought she would never find employment. “I would see why people wouldn’t hire me without talking to me,” she said. But as a requirement for drug court, Samantha had to have a job and work 40 hours per week. She applied to...

Mike grew up a product of divorce and addiction. Before he was 24 years old, both of his parents and his two brothers had passed away. An addict himself, Mike lost his only other support system when his wife filed for divorce after 25 years of him relapsing. The...

Austin had nothing but a prison jumpsuit, shoes and his family’s good graces when he was released from prison on Feb. 28, 2020. Ready to change, he went back where he grew up in Fletcher County, but no one was willing to give him a second chance. He tried moving to...

Jennifer said she gets emotional when she thinks about where she was just a couple years ago. As a result of her addiction, she was sleeping behind dumpsters on the streets of Louisville. After a stint in prison, Jennifer said she couldn’t find or keep employment even...

Cindy happened to be at one of our stores while someone was talking about the Goodwill Cars to Work Program, which offers auto loans to individuals who wouldn’t normally qualify. After hearing about it, it didn’t take her long to set an appointment with her soon-to-be...

At Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, we are proud to celebrate our Latinx and Hispanic American employees during National Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond. Alejandra, a member of our New Circle team, moved to the United States from Mexico 19 years ago. She joined our...

Patricia enrolled in our Senior Community Service & Employment Program (SCSEP) and was assigned to train as a retail sales clerk at Thrift Shop Our Place. She completed her professional resume, practiced mock interviewing and began building a professional...

Wesley spent 28 months in prison and wasn’t sure where to turn for employment after he was released. While at the Men’s Addiction and Recovery Center in Bowling Green, Wesley graduated from our Reintegrating Individuals Successfully Every Day (RISE) Program, which...

Morgan was a mother of two by the time she had graduated high school. Through the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP), she was introduced to Goodwill. Morgan advanced all the way to store manager at our Berea location. She said her main motivation was her...

Mehgan was in nursing school until she entered a relationship with a heroin user. At that time, she had two children. Her next four children were born in active addiction. “Being pregnant doesn’t make you not a drug addict,” Mehgan tearfully admitted. She described...

By the time Ashley was 11 years old, she was already drinking alcohol and using marijuana. At 17, she discovered she was pregnant. “My child’s father and I had to grow up extremely fast. His dad passed away and my mom was in prison,” Ashley explained. Ashley welcomed...