Goodwill Mission Success Stories

After seven years of unemployment and personal struggles, Nate found a new path through Goodwill's Personal and Work Adjustment Training (PWAT) program. Assigned to the Lemoyne store, Nate's exceptional work ethic shone through from day one, despite facing homelessness and other challenges.

Ben, the store manager, quickly noticed Nate's potential. "Nate came to our store eager to learn and ready to prove how hard he was willing to work," Ben recalls. "He not only worked hard but cared about the quality of his work."

Starting on the sales floor, Nate soon progressed to assisting with donations. His dedication impressed Ben: "He showed up for every shift and even took on additional hours to better his situation."

After just four weeks, Nate was offered a full-time Donor Services position, marking a significant turning point in his life. Today, Nate describes his work as therapeutic. "Being around positive people and staying focused keeps my mind occupied," he says. "It's helping me create a better life for myself."

Nate's journey demonstrates the power of perseverance and second chances. Ben adds, "It's hard to think of a better example of 'hard work pays off' than Nate's journey to full-time employment."

Nate's success exemplifies Goodwill's PWAT program mission – providing individuals with support to overcome barriers and achieve sustainable employment. His story serves as an inspiration, showing how programs like PWAT can make a real difference in people's lives, one success at a time.

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 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.

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!