Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

AJ wanted to pursue his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), but he wasn’t sure where to start. After a stint in prison, that journey became even harder. But after accepting a truck driver position at Goodwill, he realized his goal was in reach. He took part in our Work & Learn program, which allows employees to pursue educational opportunities while earning a paycheck. Now, after just over a year at Goodwill, AJ has earned his CDL and accepted his "dream" job. “Without Goodwill, none of this would be possible,” he said. “There was no way I could have paid for CDL school on my own. This has been my dream for the longest. … I just needed someone to believe in me. And that’s where Jordan and Goodwill came in.” Read AJ’s story here: https://shorturl.at/9Q1E8

Last week, 13 team leaders and assistant managers graduated from our Goodwill Retail Employee Advancement Training (GREAT) program. At Goodwill, we believe strongly in investing in our own employees and developing them both personally and professionally. Since its inception in 2018, the GREAT program has graduated 156 Goodwillers, of which 108 have been promoted!

Last week, we hosted a special graduation for our Power of Work program! The Power of Work team, under the leadership of Director of Community-Based Services Kimberly Boyd-Lane, GCDF, GCDFI, CEBP, has demonstrated excellence in operations since its inception in 2007. The program has enrolled more than 15,000 participants and has achieved 5,187 job placements. This outstanding accomplishment has given the Cabinet of Health and Family Services, the Department of Community Based Services and the Division of Family Support the confidence to award the Kentucky Work Program TANF and SNAP contract to Goodwill without an intermediary beginning today, July 1.

Today, we hosted a Public Relations Society of America - Bluegrass Chapter program at our West Louisville Opportunity Center! Panelists included CEO of Dare to Care Food Bank Vincent James Sr., Chief Administration Officer for Norton West Louisville Hospital Corenza Townsend and Director of Public Relations & Communications for Goodwill Barnard Baker. Attendees heard insights from our panelists about the exciting growth occurring in West Louisville and toured the new Campus!

After being incarcerated for complicity of robbery, Dillon knew he needed to make a change. He battled with substance use on and off for six years but participated in programming at the Men’s Healing Place. He came to the Goodwill South Louisville Opportunity Center searching for a second chance and a better life. He utilized several of our free programs to enhance his skillset before being hired at our 2nd Chance Outlet as a material handler in 2023. During his employment, he gained his forklift certification, participated in the Good Smiles program and purchased a vehicle. With the help of his career coach, Dane’Sha Thompson, Dillon decided to pursue a career in the welding industry. He participated in Goodwill’s Work & Learn program, where he was paid to attend night classes twice per week at The Knight School of Welding. Dillon received a certification in MIG Welding on February 22, 2024.   Dillon is proud to announce that he has accepted a welding job making $20 per hour with benefits that will assist him in continuing his journey for a better life. He wants to give thanks to the South Louisville Opportunity Center staff, his Senior Store Manager Lesley King and God. Dillon is a passionate employee and we are proud of his achievements!

We want to congratulate Stephanie, a production clerk at our Richmond story, for purchasing a vehicle through our Cars to Work program! Stephanie worked with her Goodwill career coach, Ashley, to gain financial literacy skills and create a budget, which allowed her to eliminate her transportation barrier. Congrats, Stephanie!

Today, we're recognizing Juneteenth at Goodwill! It commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, marking a pivotal moment in our nation's history. It's a day to honor freedom and reflect on our ongoing journey towards equality. Earlier this week, 4-H students and chaperones visited our Lexington Opportunity Center to create Juneteenth decorations and prepare snack bags for our food-insecure clients.

Chief Financial Officer Mark Hohmann is one of 52 professionals to be named to the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2024, which was announced yesterday by Leadership Kentucky, Inc. Participants in the program gather to gain insight on the Commonwealth of Kentucky, its challenges and opportunities. Class members meet with many of Kentucky’s current leaders and explore the state’s unique communities and resources. Congratulations, Mark!

Due to an abusive relationship, Sarah relocated from Florida to Kentucky when she was 35 weeks pregnant but had trouble obtaining meaningful employment. “No one wanted to hire me, either because of my record or my belly,” she said. “I was a single mom with two babies, going to college full-time. My parents were my support system, but I wanted to stop relying on them.” Sarah then met Jessica, a Goodwill career coach who referred her to the Opportunity Center in Somerset. Sarah worked on her resume, began the process of having her record expunged, obtained Goodwill vouchers to purchase clothing and secured employment at the conjoined store as a production clerk. Sarah was eventually named Safety Captain, a role she held for two years. Utilizing Goodwill’s tuition reimbursement program, Sarah obtained her bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University in business administration and was promoted to training facilitator for Goodwill. She is currently pursuing her PhD in education. “When I was accepted for this job, I thought it was too good to be true. My criminal record wasn’t even expunged yet,” Sarah said, “This role is important to me, because I love teaching and I want to make a difference. I love offering hope to others.” For Sarah, her job as training facilitator is more than a paycheck, it’s her purpose. “Goodwill gave me the confidence to exit a dangerous relationship. I didn’t have any skills or confidence. I had never been alone,” Sarah said. “I never thought I was going to get a second chance, because I had damaged my life so much. I didn’t think I was deserving. I thought I was cursed with bad luck forever, even after getting clean and sober and college degrees. I felt like I was a puppy at that pound, discarded. But Goodwill adopted me. They are my family now. Goodwill changed my life forever.”

We are pleased to host the Kentucky Association of Manufactures at our West Louisville Opportunity Center on June 26 for a fair chance hiring event. Leaders from our reentry team will teach best practices for employers to consider when connecting with job seekers, including those who have background challenges.