Goodwill Celebrates GED Program Graduates

In order to fulfill its Commitment to Put People to Work, Goodwill of Central Arizona realizes the importance of providing academic support services like the full-service General Educational Development (GED) program. The GED program helps disadvantaged youth and adults attain their academic goals which ultimately set the pace for their independence and personal success.

On May 19, Goodwill hosted a ceremony in the Bulpitt Auditorium at Phoenix College, to honor 35 GED program graduates. Guest speaker Travis Hearn implored the honorees to keep striving for success.

“You have achieved something that is very powerful and can’t be taken from you,” said Hearn. “Do not let the boundaries that other people set for you limit you.”

Hearn works with the Phoenix Suns as their Chaplain and in his spare time, he shares his messages with audiences around Arizona as the President and Founder of Travis Hearn, Inc., a speaking company offering services to the Department of Education, junior and senior high schools, colleges, businesses, conferences, camps, and churches.

Yolanda Carrothers, Vice President of Workforce Development of Goodwill of Central Arizona, congratulated the graduates and advised them to set more goals for their lives.

“If today you are not challenged, you miss the opportunities for tomorrow,” Carrothers stated.

Sheila Matthews, who enrolled in the GED program in May 2009 and finished in December, was extremely grateful for the support from Goodwill. She especially credited Monica McClellan, Learning Center Educator, for motivating her.

“Monica made me feel like quitting wasn’t acceptable,” said Matthews. “I thank her for the extra push she gave me.”

Matthews said she will begin studying for an associate degree in business this summer at Glendale Community College.

Goodwill of Central Arizona's academic services are open to the public and are offered at the following locations:

• 930 N. Alma School Road, Chandler (Learning Center)
• 6750 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria (Learning Center)

For more information about the GED program or other Goodwill Workforce Development services, please visit goodwillaz.org/jobs/workforce-programs.