Erika’s Inspiring Journey: From Anxiety to Achievement
For Erika, it was a day she’ll never forget. It all started with a moment of overwhelming anxiety and fear. Struggling with mental illness, Erika found herself at a crossroads when she arrived at the Clubhouse of Lehigh County, a Goodwill program that provides a supportive community for those living with mental health challenges.
At first, Erika's involvement in the Clubhouse wasn't by choice. But this requirement turned into a life-changing opportunity. Here, she rekindled her existing skills, discovered she wasn't alone and embraced a community that uplifted her.
Working on projects like managing the front desk, cooking meals and creating newsletters, the Clubhouse offers its members a sense of purpose and self-worth. Erika fondly recalls time spent at the "Fun Fortress" where she honed her financial skills and formed invaluable friendships.
Through time and with support from Clubhouse counselors, Erika moved forward to secure employment. She polished her resume, practiced interview skills, secured work attire and applied for an opportunity with Sodexo. She was hired in a role delivering meals to patients, and through hard work and dedication advanced to become a senior service manager.
Today, Erika's radiant smile says it all. She is happy, confident and flourishing. For those facing similar challenges, Erika’s journey stands as a testament to the incredible strength within us and the power of supportive communities.
Brody’s Thriving Thanks to Goodwill
Brody's employment journey has been a testament to his determination and the invaluable support of Goodwill. His path began with a job interview at Giant Foods. Accompanied by a Goodwill employment specialist, he received an offer and was assigned to cart duty – a position he was hoping to avoid.
A primary concern that Brody and his parents had about working with carts was safety in the parking lot. Early on, Brody's near-miss with a vehicle prompted his employment specialist to work with him on his non-verbal communication skills and situational awareness.
He learned the importance of consistently making eye contact to help foster a mutual understanding between himself and drivers. This significantly boosted Brody’s confidence and, as time passed, he eventually increased his efficiency from pushing two to three carts to handling up to six at once.
As the weather shifted to colder days, Brody's job satisfaction dwindled. This led Brody and his parents to contemplate quitting. Brody's father contacted HR and, after discussing the situation, was pleasantly surprised that Giant wanted to offer Brody a position in the produce department.
Brody has successfully completed his initial 40 hours of training and formed positive working relationships with his managers and co-workers. He is doing a great job engaging with customers, working independently and – with the help of his employment specialist – prioritizing his tasks.
Brody and his parents are grateful for Goodwill's support and the positive impact it has had on his life.
Goodwill Success Story - Wally
Looking for some career inspiration? Check out this amazing video about Wally Vera's career progression at Goodwill Keystone Area. She started out as a textile sorter and worked her way up to becoming a key holder, assistant manager and now she's a store manager at Berwyn!
Wally credits Goodwill for providing her with the support and resources she needed to grow in her career. Her story is a true testament to the power of hard work, determination and the right support system. Don't miss out on this inspiring video!
Tasha Buoyed by Goodwill’s Support
Tasha's journey to succeed on her own has not been an easy one. For years she struggled with unemployment and depression, which led her to have thoughts of suicide. However, Tasha found a glimmer of hope thanks to Goodwill.
After completing three work assessments in the community, she experienced a back injury during her final assessment. Upon her return, she secured a job with Home Depot but had to decline for not having proper I-9 identification. With the help of her employment specialist, Karena, Tasha eventually landed a part-time busser position at Mad Mex in Willow Grove (Montgomery County).
During her time there, Tasha grew tremendously in her attitudes and abilities. She credits these words from Karena that helped her during difficult times: “Because you taught me to walk slowly, quietly and with purpose, I am doing great and love my job AND my coworkers.”
Unfortunately, the restaurant suddenly closed right before her one-year anniversary. This was devastating to Tasha, yet she is maintaining a positive attitude about her future as she now has her own apartment and graduated from Starting Point – a resource center for those seeking support for mental wellness, personal growth and recovery.
Tasha is working with Karena again to find employment and is grateful to Goodwill for inspiring her to be resilient and determined. “Goodwill helped me get a job and be successful during my time at Mad Mex. Karena has taught me the importance of working hard and staying positive, and she continues to lift me up along my journey.”
For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, contact Sue Soderberg
EMAIL
or call 717.394.0647.
Goodwill Mission Success Story - Yamna
For more information about Goodwill’s programs and services, contact Sue Soderberg
EMAIL
or call 717.394.0647