Success

Jason Kerns, 25, is confident that his experiences with Goodwill during the past seven months have set him on a path of success for life.

Kerns, who has lived in Arizona for two years, was having a difficult time finding work before he visited the Goodyear Career Center in June 2009.

"I spent a lot of time looking for work on my own before I came to the Goodwill Career Center," said Kerns.

Lynn Eide, a 61-year-old mother and Phoenix resident, believes that it is never too late for anyone to learn skills that will make them more valuable in the workplace.

Eide, who is a recent graduate of Goodwill's Computer and Customer Service Training (CCST) program, said she was determined to upgrade her knowledge of computers after her job of eight years as an Account Manager at an insurance agency in Mesa was eliminated.

Sally Ockenfels is an excellent example of how Goodwill transforms individuals with barriers into shining stars.

In September 2007, Ockenfels, who is developmentally disabled, enrolled in Goodwill of Central Arizona's Computer and Customer Service Training (CCST) class to advance her skills and improve her chances of finding meaningful employment.

If you sit down and have a conversation with Jabbar Muhammad, you’ll have a hard time believing that he has a shy bone in his body.

Muhammad was 20 years old when he was first referred to Goodwill of Central Arizona by the state’s Department of Developmental Disabilities. He was described as shy and quiet, unsure of himself, yet very polite. However, Muhammad had the desire to learn work skills so he could one day help provide for his family.

Teri Shamblin is proof that it is never too late to learn something new. Moreover, the 56-year-old grandmother from Phoenix is proof that if you’re willing to learn new skills at any age, your life can change for the better.

In 2005, Shamblin was at a self-described low point in her life. She was unemployed, recently divorced and was living at a local domestic violence shelter. Shamblin said staff members at the shelter encouraged her to visit a Goodwill Career Center in order to boost her chances at finding work.

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.

The future is looking bright for John Boyd after Goodwill Staffing Solutions helped him find work as a dryer operator with Sodexo Commercial Linen Exchange in Phoenix.

Goodwill Staffing Solutions, a division of Goodwill of Central Arizona, is a full service staffing firm that provides temporary, temp-to-hire and direct-hire employment to individuals in central Arizona.

Before he was referred to Goodwill Staffing Solutions by a friend in May 2008, Boyd said he bounced around from odd job to odd job. He moved to Phoenix from south central Los Angeles in August 2002 after struggling personally and professionally. He was lucky to find out about Goodwill Staffing Solutions.

Goodwill of Central Arizona understands that a strong educational foundation is essential to a lifetime of self-sufficiency and employment success. For Michael Attson, a recent program participant who used Goodwill’s services to obtain his GED, that foundation has brought the self-confidence and motivation to excel further on his path to economic independence.

Michael was 17 years old when he dropped out of high school due to constant disciplinary issues. After dropping out, Michael found a job in the construction industry, helping lay asphalt for new roads. Inspired by the drafting, design and engineering work that went into building those roads, Michael developed a dream of going to college to focus on a career in drafting and engineering.

Everyday that we come to work we help individuals get on track toward self-sufficiency. We do this in many ways including Goodwill’s Ruth & Hartley Barker Post-Secondary Scholarship which supports educational dreams for Goodwill program participants and ecademie students.

One of our current scholarship recipients, Mary Mulryan, is aspiring to help others through her education.

“My goal is to be able to buy and/or build housing developments for single parents, females and minorities who are interested in completing a four-year degree. This scholarship will help me to pursue my vision as well as my education,” said Mulryan.

For individuals seeking self-sufficiency through the power of work, Goodwill has long been an organization to provide resources and hope. Inspiration for those seeking improvement in their life comes from a variety of sources. For one Valley mother, that inspiration has come from her daughter.

Estrella Lopez was first referred to Goodwill of Central Arizona in 2001 by Home Base Youth Services. After working with a counselor in Goodwill’s Youth Program, Lopez eventually lost touch with Goodwill. During that time, the 18 year old Phoenix resident was lost personally and professionally and couldn’t hold a steady job.

Several years passed and Lopez became very depressed that she was unable to provide for herself with a good job. It wasn’t until 2003 with the birth of her daughter that Lopez made the final decision to commit to a path of self-sufficiency.