Stories

December 7, 2016

Christopher’s Story

Christopher is part of the Supported Employment Program in Goodwill's Crystal Lake store. He alternates from sorting media to scanning books. In the last 6 months, Christopher has processed a total of 1,233 books and is continuously growing that number. He enjoys having a say in quality control and discovering new authors and illustrators while also coming across books that he has read in the past. “I like sorting the books because I am learning the difference between the children’s books , adult novels, and informational books” ~Christopher Great job, Christopher!  All of us at Goodwill are proud of you!
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October 26, 2016

Makiya’s Story

Makiya recently heard about Goodwill's Accelerate Program and was very interested.   She attended an informational session with a clear vision in mind: to pursue her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential. Today, she stands as an example of what determination and passion can achieve. Reflecting on her journey, Makiya shares, "I thought because I was young, I had a lot of time, but after getting my CNA certification, I knew I wanted to see and do more. This is only the beginning." Her words echo the transformative power of seizing opportunities and embracing personal growth. Makiya currently works at a local nursing home, where her dedication to caring for others shines brightly. Makiya's journey with the Goodwill Accelerate team has been nothing short of inspiring. "The Goodwill Accelerate team has taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to," she affirms. "I love helping others. I love to put a smile on my residents' faces." Makiya's commitment to excellence and her genuine compassion are evident in every aspect of her work.  The Goodwill Accelerate team takes great pride in Makiya's accomplishments and looks forward to witnessing her continued growth and success in the future. Congratulations, Makiya, on your remarkable journey and the difference you make in the lives of others. You are truly an inspiration to us all.
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October 26, 2016

Andrea’s Story

Andrea started working on her GED 8 years ago. She tried GED classes a few times but was unsuccessful.  When Andrea decided to enroll in Goodwill's GoodGRADS Program she was ready and determined.  She got through her GED reading test quickly. Her math GED test took a little bit more effort but after hard work and determination, she passed! Now that Andrea has her GED, she plans to obtain her CNA license and eventually open a small business. "The GoodGRADS staff motivates and encourages you through the entire process."  ~Andrea
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October 26, 2016

Michael’s Story

Michael dropped out of high school due to the complexities of online learning during the pandemic.  He enrolled in Goodwill's GoodGRADS Program after hearing that it was the best program to get his degree. After a lot of studying and hard work, Michael earned his State of Illinois High School Diploma. When describing GoodGRADS, Michael says “I would say it’s a group of people who are awesome, kind, and really want to see you succeed.”
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October 20, 2016

Zach’s Story

Zach works at the Goodwill store in McHenry, IL. He's a great worker and always wants to learn new tasks and help his teammates out. One of Zach's main tasks is to sort, tag, and price belts and ties. He also works on the sales floor organizing the belts and ties and making the displays look neat. He is very detailed in his work and enjoys making sure every item he puts on the sales floor is appropriate. Recently, Zach met his employment goals and was moved into the Transition Phase of the program. His Job Coach started going over interview questions with him and worked on his resume. Zach applied to JC Penny and got hired in the men's department working as a Sales Associate! He works 18 hours a week and he enjoys learning new tasks and having extra spending money. Nice job, Zach!
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October 20, 2016

Miracle’s Story

Miracle was a participant in Goodwill's Rockford area Supported Work Program. While in the program, she worked very hard at improving her work skills and focused on job searching. When Miracle was in high school, she completed a food preparation course with hands-on experience at a nursing home, which she really loved. Through Goodwill's Supported Work Program, Miracle applied for different jobs and attended various job interviews, but always had her experience at the nursing home in the back of her mind. In March 2020, Miracle applied, interviewed and was hired at a local retirement home center as a dietary aide. Miracle started her job at the health center during a very challenging time with Covid-19 and quickly learned the required safety precautions of being an essential worker. Currently, she is really enjoying prepping food and drinks for the residents. "It has always been a passion of mine to work in dietary at a nursing home and my dream has come true!" ~Miracle
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