Love is about growing together, supporting each other and building a future side by side. This Valentine’s Day, we’re highlighting Olena and Bogdan Nikolenko, a couple whose journey through Goodwill’s tuition-free training programs is helping to shape the future of their family and paving the way for their continued success. Their story is a testament to how Goodwill’s programs help people in our community advance their careers, strengthen their families and thrive. Keep reading to learn how Olena and Bogdan are turning their shared ambition into success!
What inspired you to take a tuition-free training program at Goodwill, and which program(s) did you take?
- We arrived in the United States two and a half years ago from Ukraine as green card holders. The first year was not easy, because starting life from scratch is very difficult – a new country, finding a new job, another language, new rules of life – everything is different. We constantly solved new situations that we had not faced before, which was a challenge. In addition, our daughter was only three years old and there was no way to leave her with someone to study in the evenings after work. But we constantly thought about the need to find education in order to get better opportunities for development. A year and a half ago, we brought Olena’s mother from Ukraine because of a very terrible war, and we got the opportunity to study. We paid attention to the construction sphere because Bogdan was working as a frame installer here and Olena got a master’s degree in the construction industry from Ukraine. We started looking for courses in this field and were very surprised to find out that Goodwill, in addition to stores, has such a strong base for training personnel. We both took Construction Basics in Summer 2024. After that, Bogdan took the Electrical training program, and Olena is currently enrolled in the Blueprint Reading & Estimating program.
How has completing your programs impacted your lives and careers, and how has this experience shaped your future as a family?
- Bogdan is currently looking for opportunities in the electrical industry. We really believe that he will be able to find a job as an electrician. Thanks to Goodwill, Olena received excellent opportunities for development, and believed in herself. Olena left her previous job and followed her dream. A month ago, she got a job as a CAD designer at a large international company, and we are extremely happy. This gives our family great opportunities for development and a belief that anything is possible.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in each other since finishing your training?
- We became more confident in our abilities and gained new knowledge that changed our lives for the better.
How did it feel to be able to take these courses at no cost?
- Goodwill helps people get free training, which seems almost impossible nowadays. Anyone who has the desire to develop and learn can gain new skills and start a new life. It’s incredible.
What are your career goals now, and how do you support each other in achieving them?
- We really believe that we can achieve the best results in the construction and manufacturing industry. We will always support and believe in each other, give help with advice and dream about the future. In the next 3-5 years, Olena hopes to become a manager. Bogdan would like to work in industrial electricity and possibly get higher education to become an electrical engineer.
If you could say one thing to the people who donate and shop at Goodwill, what would it be?
- Keep going and never stop. Your contributions change lives.
Anything else you’d like to add?
- We would like to say thank you to everyone who is working at the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center. We absolutely love it! The staff is so friendly and responsive; they are always helpful and supportive.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Olena and Bogdan! We can’t wait to see what all you accomplish.
Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), established in 2011 by Dr. Jacqueline Copeland-Carson of Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network with recognition by the United Nations, is celebrated globally every August to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. Since its founding, millions of people and organizations across the globe have celebrated every August as a month of celebration and renewal of giving to and by African-descent communities.
At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, it’s our mission to build pathways that help people pursue the life they want to achieve. Success isn’t achieved alone, which is why we encourage partnership and collaboration to help our team and the people we serve in achieving their goals. As a nonprofit, we rely on donations and shopping at our retail stores to fund our mission, in addition to corporate and philanthropic donations.
Nick and Regina Wharton, longtime donors of Goodwill, share why giving is important and why they choose to support Goodwill.
Q: Why is it important to give?
Regina: “Giving helps to put you at the center of what community stands for — no one makes it on their own. As my mother would often say, no matter how much you think you have somebody has more. And no matter how little you think you have somebody has less. Keep life in perspective and give what you can to our community to make a difference.”
Nick: “I believe in strategic partnerships based on authentic collaboration with organizations doing extraordinary work in the community.”
Q: Why is it important to give to Goodwill?
Regina: “Simply stated Goodwill does good work! I was honored to serve on the board for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, so I gained a lot of knowledge about Goodwill and the difference the organization makes in our community. It also meant a lot for us to honor my father who worked in the trades as an elevator repair person and business owner. It’s a reminder that we come from a family that has benefited from what Goodwill stands for.”
Nick: “I think it’s so important that those who have give to organizations that are making a difference. A lot of organizations are involved in the movement to change the economic trajectory of the city. Goodwill is among the organizations making an extraordinary impact on jobs in the city.”
Q: How important is it to be leaders as Black philanthropists?
Regina: “To whom much is given, much is required! We have been blessed to be a blessing to others. We give as much as we can, and we have raised responsible adults that also give. Knowing we have been a role model for them matters to us. Give what you can and collectively it makes a difference.”
Q: Where does your sense of community come from?
Nick: “My mother raised three sons in a tough working-class community in Jamaica, Queens, NYC. I benefitted from rich community support systems that nurtured my growth and development. My entire career as a nonprofit executive and in the corporate arena has been providing economic opportunities to those left behind. These experiences have hard wired a desire to see people change their lives in communities that embrace and nurture change.
Q: How can someone’s involvement help others in the community?
Regina: “Involvement is all about building awareness! A lot of times you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes unless you get involved. Once you get involved you will find out the many ways you can make a difference with your time and treasure. I take every opportunity I can to mention the Goodwill Opportunity Campus — where it’s located, the good work that’s happening with programs & services, and what’s behind the retail stores!”
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If you would like to help fund Goodwill’s programs and services that we offer to the community free of charge, consider dropping off your gently used donations at one of our locations or making a financial contribution.
Are you looking for work with purpose in Southeast Charlotte? Would you like to be in the business of creating a brighter future for people in our community? Then Goodwill is the place for you! We’re hosting an upcoming hiring event for both management and frontline positions at our retail store on Sardis Road.
- Wednesday, June 26, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Sardis Road store
- Save time the day-of by starting your application here
HOW OUR STORES SUPPORT OUR MISSION
The money we make from selling donated goods in our retail stores funds job training courses, job search support, family stability services and more – all of which we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year. In fact, you may know someone who is well on their way to a brighter future after accessing our programs and services. Simply put, our retail stores fund our mission.
PAY & BENEFITS

Before Mark started working at Goodwill in 2016, he was looking for a chance to start a career but had some roadblocks in the way.
“I moved from California in 2008. But before that, I had been in prison for 12 years,” Mark shared. “Coming here was a fresh start. But when [companies] saw my record, nobody wanted to give me a fresh start.”
Mark owned a cleaning company, but the income was too inconsistent, so he came to Goodwill looking for some help with his job search.
“I went to Goodwill for resume help, but then I started working in the stores,” he said. “The store manager told me the first day, ‘You should be in management.’ Six months to a year later, she promoted me to Shift Manager and then Assistant Manager.”
As an Assistant Manager, Mark says that every day brings something different to his position.
“I like being flexible. I like the freedom and the opportunity to do a little bit of everything. I like talking and laughing with the customers and seeing people find a gem that they’ve been looking for,” he shared.
Finding a position at Goodwill helped Mark build a life with more stability.
“It helped me mentally and financially, because mentally, I was beaten up. Everybody was telling me no. In the eight years that I’ve been here, I’ve barely missed a day. Goodwill saw my record, and they still gave me a chance. So, I’m going to make good on the chance they took with me,” he emphasized.
In April, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont recognizes Second Chance Month, a time to raise awareness of the challenges facing people with justice-involved backgrounds and to spotlight the important work being done by community-based organizations to empower second chance individuals to achieve career and life success. Mark is a demonstration of our mission, growing from a participant we served to a Goodwill team member.
“[Goodwill] can help you get where you want to be, or at least take that first step,” he stated. “When I’m cashiering and a customer asks what the round up goes to, I get the opportunity to explain to them that I came through the program that you’re donating to. So, it makes an impact.”
Throughout his journey here at Goodwill, Mark has found close friends, many that he considers family, that have also inspired him.
“I’ve met a lot of good people through Goodwill,” he said. “I enjoy the people I work with; we’re like a big family. Most of us have been working together since I started; and some of them [worked here] before me. I was their peer and now I’m their manager, but they respect that, and I appreciate it. Everybody here has been so helpful. It made me believe in the Goodwill experience.”
ABOUT THE DONATION DRIVE
Join Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and WCNC Charlotte for the Goodwill Day of Giving on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Charlotte Premium Outlets! Clean out your closets, declutter your drawers, and drop off the items you no longer want at this special donation drive. Not sure what you can donate? Check out our list of items we can and cannot accept!
HOW YOUR DONATIONS DO GOOD
FOR THE COMMUNITY:
We’ll sell the donations we receive from this special drive in our retail stores and online shops, and use the proceeds to fund job training programs, job search support services, family stability services and more – all of which we offer free of charge to thousands of people in our community each year. Last year, your donations and purchases allowed us to help more than 9,000 people in our community advance their careers and improve their lives.
FOR THE PLANET:
When you donate your unwanted items to Goodwill, you give them a second chance. Goodwill stores play a big part in the circular economy, which is a system that keeps products in circulation for as long as possible. Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items, which lessens the amount of material sent to landfills or incinerators. Millions of donated items are given a second life through your local Goodwill each year.
CAN’T MAKE IT?
If you can’t make it to the Goodwill Day of Giving, don’t worry! Goodwill accepts donations every day at its 36 retail stores and 10+ drop-off locations.
Did you know that donating your electronics and gently used items to Goodwill helps the earth tremendously? Help keep our planet safe and healthy while you declutter and start your spring cleaning this season.
RECYCLE YOUR ELECTRONICS WITH GOODWILL
Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste problem in the world. Did you know that you can donate your used electronics to Goodwill, whether or not they work? Through our partnership with Dell Reconnect, we’ll refurbish your donated electronics to sell at our tech store, the GRID: Powered by Goodwill. If we can’t sell your electronic donations, we’ll recycle them responsibly, ensuring they don’t end up in a landfill. Here are four ways you can recycle your tech this Earth Month:
- Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Concord Safe Disposal Event at 280 Concord Parkway North, Concord
- Saturday, April 13, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Gaston County Shred Event at the Gastonia Farmers Market (410 East Long Avenue, Gastonia)
- Friday, April 19, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Mecklenburg County E-Cycling Event at the Mecklenburg County Hickory Grove Recycling Center (8007 Pence Road, Charlotte)
- You can also donate your electronics at any of our stores and donation centers on any day!
We accept the following items in all conditions and all brands:
- Desktops, laptops, mouses and keyboards
- iPads, Surfaces, tablets & e-readers
- Monitors, printers & scanners
- Flat screen televisions
- Home audio & theater equipment
- Video games & gaming systems
- iPods, MP3 players & accessories
- Cameras, media cards, video equipment & GPS systems
- Mobile phones & accessories
- External & internal hard drives
- Power cords, chargers & cables
- Ink & toner cartridges
- Children’s educational toys
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
In addition to helping the planet, donating your electronics and other items makes a difference by connecting people in our community to resources and job training at no cost. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont uses the revenue generated from the sale of donations throughout its stores and online to provide job placement and training, certifications and credentials for anyone looking to grow their careers. Read about just a few of the thousands of people we’ve helped thanks to your donations here.
The Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program is a five-year, $50 million commitment to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. These Gable Grants directly support community and technical colleges, community-based nonprofit organizations and national nonprofit partners with strong local presence.
The Lowe’s Foundation today announced Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is the recipient of an $800,000 award to support its Construction & Trade Skills training program.
“We are grateful to Lowe’s for the longstanding support for our mission services at Goodwill, especially for our career training programs since our Construction Skills Training Center was built in 2019,” said Chris Jackson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “This grant is an incredible show of support and trust in the work that we do to help people acquire new skills and launch meaningful careers so they can achieve more for themselves, and their families. These funds will allow Goodwill to equip more community members with in-demand construction skills to not only meet the need for qualified talent in Charlotte, but to provide access to careers with great earning potential, health and other benefits so more people in our community can prosper.”
There is an acute skilled trades workforce crisis in the US, with the Associated Builders and Contractors estimating that 501,000 new skilled tradespeople will be needed on top of the normal pace of hiring to meet demand this year alone.
Training programs like the ones offered at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont are proven to help participants find success – in fact, in 2023, more than 100 graduates launched their construction careers, with an average starting wage of $20.98 per hour, with 90 percent of them retaining those positions.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont will use its $800,000 grant to scale its Construction & Trade Skills training program that not only offers industry-recognized credentials and skills, but also stability services, personalized coaching and access to employers to launch successful construction careers.
During a check presentation at the Lowe’s Tech Hub this morning, Jackson said, “This support for our Construction & Trade training program is enabling us to expand the number of classes and cohorts to support more than 600 people with construction training in the next two years in HVAC, electrical, carpentry and construction basics.”
He explained that this grant will also allow the nonprofit to offer access to additional online learning material, and increase virtual and augmented reality training offerings – as they shift to more dynamic and interactive learning models to support people’s unique learning styles.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is one of two nonprofits in Charlotte to receive a Gable Grant, which is part a larger $6 million investment from the Lowe’s Foundation to 10 total nonprofits across the country offering innovative skilled trades programming.
New Outlet Store in Rock Hill
Goodwill is opening its second outlet store in the region this April, and we are looking for new teammates to join us in frontline positions! Second Editions: A Goodwill Outlet Store demonstrates stewardship and sustainability at its highest level, ensuring that donations made to Goodwill do not go to waste. This new outlet store will be located in Rock Hill, SC.
Get Hired on the Spot
Are you or someone you know looking for exciting work with purpose? Come to our upcoming hiring event where you could get an offer on the spot! The hiring event will take place on Tuesday, March 12, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at York Technical Community College in the Baxter Hood Center.
We’ll be hiring for the following positions at this event:
- Donation Material Handler – apply here
- Cashier – apply here
Pay & Benefits
Apply Beforehand
If you’re interested in attending our hiring event, we encourage you to save time by filling out an application beforehand. Note: You can filter the jobs by typing “Rock Hill Second Editions” into the search bar.
We’re Staffing Our New Albemarle Crossing Store
Goodwill is opening a new retail location in Albemarle in February, and we are looking for new teammates to join us in both frontline and management positions.
Get Hired on the Spot
Are you or someone you know looking for exciting work with purpose? Come to one of our upcoming hiring events, where you could get an offer on the spot!
- Thursday, January 11, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Stanly Community College at the Snyder Building Lobby, Parking – Lot F
- Thursday, January 25, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Albemarle Crossing store
We’ll be hiring for the following positions at these events:
- Assistant Store Manager
- Retail Shift Manager
- Apparel Quality Specialist
- Cashier
- Donation Material Handler
- Apparel Hanger
- Book Scanner
- Custodian
Pay & Benefits
- Frontline team members start at $15/hour
- Shift Managers start at $17/hour
- Assistant Store Managers start at $19.55/hour
Apply Beforehand
If you’re interested in attending one of our hiring events, we encourage you to save time by filling out an application beforehand. Note: You can filter the jobs by typing “Albemarle Crossing” into the search bar.
HIRING EVENT FOR NEW CHARLOTTE STORE
Goodwill is opening a new retail store in the Shopton Square shopping center in Charlotte early next year, and we’re hosting a hiring event to fill frontline and management positions! Are you or someone you know looking for exciting work with purpose? Come to our upcoming hiring event where you could get an offer on the spot!
- The hiring event will take place Thursday, December 14, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus in west Charlotte.
- At this event, we’ll be hiring Cashiers, Donation Material Handlers, Apparel Quality Specialists, Apparel Hangers, Retail Shift Managers and an Assistant Store Manager.
WHY WORK AT GOODWILL?
As a Goodwill team member, you not only get to do meaningful work that makes our community better, but you also receive great benefits and competitive pay.
- Frontline team members start at $15/hour
- Shift Managers start at $17/hour
- Assistant Store Manager starts at $19.55/hour
In addition to great benefits (like comprehensive health insurance, vacation and sick pay), team members also receive access to free skills training, free career coaching, opportunities for career advancement and more.
APPLY BEFOREHAND
If you’re interested in attending the hiring event, we encourage you to fill out an application beforehand. Note: You can filter the jobs by typing “Shopton” into the search bar. Once your application has been received, someone from our HR team will reach out to you to provide additional information.