Goodwill’s mission is to change lives and communities through the power of work. The story of Tom is an example of how our mission is demonstrated in the work we do every day.
Tom learned about Goodwill’s Employability Skills classes while living at a local homeless shelter for men. He attended every class, in spite of numerous challenges, and received his certificate of completion.
Following completion, Tom came back to Goodwill to use a computer and other resources for job searching. A bicycle was his only source of transportation. Tom was serious about his job hunt, knowing that his stay in the homeless shelter was time-limited; he needed money to find housing and meet his other needs.
Goodwill staff in the Career Center were impressed with Tom’s diligence and effort, and rallied behind him. They encourage his efforts and made calls on his behalf. Their joint efforts paid off, with Tom landing a job in maintenance that he truly enjoys. Tom has been successfully employed for nearly six months and is proud of his accomplishments. He now shares a two bedroom apartment with a friend and owns a used car, which he uses for both work and pleasure. When asked how he feels about Goodwill, Tom says “They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Goodwill’s support made the difference for me.
We say it's people like Tom who inspire us. That inspiration makes us love to come to work each day.