Success Story: Carlos

Before Carlos Osuna Garay found Goodwill, he had a number of barriers that were standing in his way for success.

But since he became employed in Goodwill's Retail department, Osuna Garay is overcoming all obstacles and has a bright outlook on the future.

Osuna Garay, who is now a Customer Service Manager at the Alma School store #135, always set high goals for himself but before he joined Goodwill in March 2006, he had not yet obtained a high school diploma.

Prior to becoming a Goodwill employee, Osuna Garay said he ran a landscaping business but he was forced to dissolve the company because of heavy competition. He applied for a job at the Val Vista store because he needed to make some money. Osuna Garay was hired almost immediately and worked mainly as an electrical pricer at a number of Goodwill stores in the East Valley.

Angela Barriga, a GED Learning Center Educator in Chandler, said that Osuna Garay knew in order to get to the next level in his life, he would have earn his GED.

Goodwill supports youth and their family members in attaining their academic goals by offering academic support services including a full-service GED program. Academic services are open to the public and are offered at the following locations:

• 417 N. 16th St., Phoenix (GED Program)
• 930 N. Alma School Road, Chandler (Learning Center)
• 6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria (Learning Center)

Osuna Garay enrolled at our Chandler Learning Center on January 26, 2009 and took the official GED examination on Saturday, February 21, 2009.

Osuna Garay said that Barriga was a tremendous help in his efforts to acquire his GED.

"Angela was very supportive and flexible with my work schedule," said Osuna Garay. "She encouraged me to study, I took two pre-tests and I got my GED within a month."

Barriga said it was quite easy to work with Osuna Garay.

"Carlos was determined and had a great deal of drive to reach his planned goal," explained Barriga. "As a GED Educator I'm here to serve every participant that comes through our doors. Having resourceful educational tools, patience, profound diligence, respect, care and a great deal of encouragement is what I present to all students that I encounter.

"Carlos is a participant (student) that every educator wishes to have. He's a gentleman of great integrity and knew how to face his challenge with a positive mental toughness. He knew where he wanted to go and without his goal set, he would not have been able to experience the freedom of a new beginning."

Osuna Garay said he enjoys his job as a Customer Service Manager because he is "a people person."

"I like to greet and help our customers and I have fun interacting with my co-workers," stated Osuna Garay.

Production Manager Ted Slater could not say enough good things when asked about Osuna Garay.

"Carlos provides excellent customer service and he is really into what Goodwill stands for," said Slater. "He's willing to do what we ask at all times."

Ultimately, Osuna Garay wants to earn an associates degree in theology so he can counsel and inspire others to "achieve better" in their lives.

Osuna Garay advises people to never settle for less.

"See yourself further than your eyes meet!"