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In the City of Charlotte, a partnership between Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and Charlotte Water is creating careers in construction and strengthening the city’s workforce.

At Goodwill, participants can take tuition-free training programs in construction and trade training, including Construction Basics, HVAC, Electrical, Commercial Carpentry and more. While completing the training, participants have access to wraparound services, including working with a Career Navigator, who helps them update their resume and conduct mock interviews, along with learning essential skills that prepare them to enter the workforce. 

“At Goodwill, we prepare our students not only with technical skills but with a holistic approach – addressing career readiness, life skills, and the confidence needed to thrive on the job,” said Marvin Kelley, Director of Construction and Trade Skills Training at Goodwill.  

Another strong benefit is Goodwill’s Employer Engagement Team, who connects qualified Goodwill graduates with employers searching for their next hire.  

“I build relationships with both parties to ensure the right fit and offer services like job leads, referrals, hiring events, and employer-led training,” said Matt Robson, Employer Engagement Specialist for Goodwill’s Construction & Trade Skills Training Program. “We emphasize essential skills like initiative, communication, and conflict resolution – qualities employers consistently seek.”

One of the strongest partnerships for Goodwill’s Construction and Trade Training program is with the City of Charlotte; in particular, Charlotte Water.   

Over the past two years, eight Goodwill participants have been placed at Charlotte Water through this partnership, with five entering through the apprenticeship track. The average starting wage for these roles is $22.13. 

Through a Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program, Charlotte Water offers a 12-month paid experience that provides participants real-world experience in the water industry. Each apprentice is paired with a mentor and earns their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Tanker endorsement, a vital credential for advancing in field operations. 

Participants, several of whom come through Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training Center, are working, growing their skills, and preparing for long-term careers in the water industry. 

Armonte Massey went through the apprenticeship program and is now a Utility Technician I at Charlotte Water. Massey has directly benefited from the partnership.  

“I always wanted to work for the city, because my brother does,” he shared. “I was filling out applications, but I never got hired because I didn’t have the experience. [After completing the courses at Goodwill,] I went to a hiring event. I told them I was a Goodwill participant, and I guess that made me stand out.”

“At Charlotte Water, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned how to use more tools; I have my CDL and now I’m the dump truck driver. I have different certifications, and I’m eventually going to go to school to get more.”  

Shakira Townsend is another Goodwill graduate who has built a career with Charlotte Water. She has been working there since 2022 and is a Utility Technician II.

“To be able to take these classes and go into the community with the necessary skills – that has truly changed my life,” she said. “I am very happy where I am now. I go to work happy, and I learn something new every day.”

Goodwill’s Construction Skills Training Center plays a critical role in preparing participants for the next step in their careers.

“Over the past two years, our collaboration with the Goodwill Construction Skills Training Center has consistently produced participants who are well prepared, studious, and highly engaged in the learning process by the time they join Charlotte Water. Their foundational experience through Goodwill allows them to transition seamlessly into our apprenticeship environment and excel in their training,” said Paula Holmes, Workforce Development Lead at Charlotte Water.

As Charlotte continues to grow, so does the need for skilled professionals in essential services like water infrastructure. This partnership between Goodwill and Charlotte Water is not only meeting that need; it’s an act of investing in the future of the city and its people. 

“Our partnership with the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Water demonstrates what’s possible when education, opportunity, and community come together. Seeing our graduates in Charlotte Water’s apprenticeship program is a powerful reminder that when we invest in people, we build stronger careers and a stronger city,” said Marvin Kelley. 

If you’re an employer looking for talent that’s trained, motivated, and equipped with essential skills, partner with Goodwill to connect with candidates who are ready to make an impact from day one. Contact our Employer Engagement Team to learn more.

At Goodwill, we believe that investing in people is the key to organizational success. That’s why we developed Essential Edge – a fully customizable professional development program designed to meet the real-world needs of today’s workforce. Whether your goals include reducing turnover, boosting employee engagement, or strengthening communication, Essential Edge offers flexible training options tailored to your team’s objectives and budget.

From Essential Skills training and leadership mini-conferences to the DiSC communication tool, interview workshops, computer essentials, and customer service training, organizations can mix and match modules to build a program that works for them.

One of our standout partnerships is with Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). Together, we launched a Supervisor Workshop – a targeted program combining Essential Skills, Everything DiSC, and Coaching to support CATS’ leadership development goals.

“We were thrilled to bring together 23 supervisors and managers from across all divisions of CATS to focus on building key leadership and professional skills through three impactful micro-learning sessions,” said C. Nicki Galloway, Director of Organization & Workforce Development at CATS.

“As part of the experience, our supervisors completed their personal DiSC assessment and took a deep dive into understanding themselves and how to better connect, communicate, and collaborate with others.”

CATS’ enthusiasm for the program has been inspiring. As Galloway shared:

“We’re proud to invest in the growth of our leaders and continue strengthening the people who keep CATS moving people forward every day – and we are happy to promote and share our excitement and opportunities we’ve had because of our partnership!”

We’re proud to collaborate with organizations like CATS that are committed to empowering their teams. Let us help your business unlock its potential through Essential Edge.

Ready to elevate your workforce? Learn more about Essential Edge and how we can tailor a program for your team.

When Sabrina Edwards walked into Goodwill’s annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale, she wasn’t just searching for a gown – she was stepping into a moment of healing, celebration and community. This year marked the first-ever partnership between Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and My Breast Friend’s Wedding, who supports The Go Jen Go Foundation, dedicated to providing critical financial assistance to local individuals and families who are battling breast cancer. Together, the organizations created a space where beauty meets purpose, and where survivors like Sabrina Edwards could find more than just a dress at an affordable price, but she could find joy, dignity and connection. 

In this Q&A, Sabrina shares her journey of survivorship, the emotional moment she found her perfect gown at Goodwill’s annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale, and the deep impact of two organizations coming together to uplift women when it matters most.

Q: Tell us about your experience finding your gown at Goodwill’s annual Bridal Pop-Up Sale.
A: It was wonderful. Honestly, I felt like a queen the moment I walked through the door. Even before that – when I called, someone answered on the second ring and told me to come in. They welcomed me, took pictures and made me feel like family. I felt so special. I could’ve cried, but I held it together. It was just beautiful. 

Q: What made you choose the gown you’ll wear to the My Breast Friend’s Wedding gala?
A: I love the floral design – it’s different. Most people go for lace, but I’m an out-of-the-box person, and this dress called my name. It fit like a glove, no alterations needed. It’s elegant, it’s me, and it covers my scars.

Q: You mentioned the gown helps you feel confident. Can you share more about that?
A: My scars are part of my victory, but I don’t always like how they look. This dress covers them, and that makes me feel beautiful. It helps me remember what life felt like before cancer. You can’t see where my port was. It’s healing in a way. 

Q: You’re a survivor. Where are you in your journey now?
A: I’m in my fifth year. I just had my oncology appointment and have five more months of medication. I did six rounds of chemo, 33 radiation treatments, two surgeries – and I’ll finish my medicine this October. It’s been a journey. 

Q: How has Go Jen Go supported you through that journey?
A: They’ve been amazing. During COVID, they brought gifts for me, my son and my husband – even when contact wasn’t allowed. They sent money for a few months and gave me things like chapstick and lotion, which really matter when you’re going through treatment. They’ve always made me feel special. I’ll support anything they do. 

Q: And what does it mean to you that Goodwill partnered with My Breast Friend’s Wedding this year?
A: It means everything. Goodwill is a nonprofit that helps people in the community, and now they’re helping women like me feel beautiful and supported. Years ago, before breast cancer, I had Graves’ disease and was trying to find a job. Goodwill helped me build a resume – and I still use it today. They’ve always been a staple in my life. 

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: I just feel grateful. I feel adored. That’s the word – adored. Not everyone in my life has been supportive, but these organizations have. And that means the world to me. 

Sabrina’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when compassion and community come together. The 2026 Bridal Pop-Up Sale will continue that tradition on Saturday, March 7 at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Blvd. Whether you’re searching for a wedding gown, formal dress or accessories, this event promises to be a good time for a great cause. 

CELEBRATING OUR PARTNERS

At Goodwill, we believe that lasting change begins with a holistic approach. Stability in a career is deeply connected to stability in other areas of life – finances, health, housing and more. That’s why the Goodwill Opportunity Campus is home to a network of carefully selected partners who help address the full spectrum of needs our participants may face. But these partners aren’t just tenants – they’re collaborators. We work side by side, aligning our missions and overlapping our services to create a truly integrated support system. Through regular meetings and shared initiatives, we continuously explore ways to better serve our community together. This intentional, mission-driven model ensures that every individual who walks through our doors has access to the resources they need to prosper and thrive.

Charlotte Community Health Clinic

Charlotte Community Health Clinic provides accessible, affordable healthcare to adults and children, including primary care, behavioral health, and wellness education. With support from community partners and volunteers, the clinic bridges the gap for those without other means of medical or dental care, improving overall health outcomes in our community.

The Center for Community Transitions

The Center for Community Transitions helps individuals with criminal records rebuild their lives through employment services, behavioral health support, and family reunification programs. Their three initiatives—LifeWorks!, the Center for Women, and Behavioral Health—offer pathways to stability and reduce barriers to successful reentry.

Common Wealth Charlotte

Common Wealth Charlotte empowers economically vulnerable individuals through trauma-informed financial education, one-on-one counseling, and access to safe financial products. Their model includes free banking services and 0% interest loans, helping clients build financial capability and achieve lasting economic mobility.

Skyla Credit Union

Skyla Credit Union’s Financial Wellness Center at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus offers personalized financial counseling focused on budgeting, saving, and credit management. While not a full-service branch, it provides essential toolsGU —including an on-site ATM—to help members navigate financial challenges and work toward stability.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

It truly takes a village to support individuals on their journey to stability and success. At the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, our partners work together to create a community of care that meets people where they are and helps them move forward.

Stay tuned to our social media channels throughout October as we spotlight these partnerships and the impact they’re making: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

If you’re interested in exploring a partnership with us, email us at partnerships@goodwillsp.org.

At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, we believe that success isn’t achieved alone. One of our core values is to Build a Village – because when we work together, we go further. That’s why partnerships are at the heart of how we fulfill our mission of building pathways that help people pursue the life they want to achieve.

One of our most exciting recent collaborations has been with DroneDeploy, a company whose mission is to make the skies open and accessible for everyone. Trusted by users across a wide range of industries, DroneDeploy is transforming how businesses collect, manage and interpret drone data. Their user-friendly platform enables companies of all sizes to improve workflows through scalable image processing, data storage and real-time shareable drone maps and 3D models.

The company partnered with Goodwill to support our Construction & Trade Skills training program by providing access to their software. This partnership allowed us to launch a Drone Pilot training program – equipping participants with in-demand skills and preparing them for careers in the growing drone industry.

Dr. Taurean Walker, the instructor who led Goodwill’s Drone Pilot training program, saw firsthand how the integration of DroneDeploy’s technology elevated the learning experience for students.

“Coupled with classroom instruction, the students were able to experience how DroneDeploy’s software can be a useful tool for industrial application,” Dr. Walker shared. “DroneDeploy offers a simplistic platform where students are able to learn first-hand how to use one of the quintessential mapping programs on the market.”

While the Drone Pilot program is no longer active at Goodwill, its impact continues to be felt through the success stories of participants like Charles, who gained valuable skills and career momentum through this opportunity. After being furloughed from his job, Charles decided to invest in himself. He started his own production company and purchased a drone, but quickly realized he needed the proper licensing to take on commercial clients. That’s where Goodwill came in.

“The program is very beneficial because it’s not only about flying the drone and passing the class, but about all the career paths you can take with it,” Charles shared. “We got the privilege to meet people in the industry and learn what they were doing with drones and what they were looking for when it comes to employees.”

Thanks to the training and the tools provided through our partnership with DroneDeploy, Charles is now on a path to long-term success in a field he’s passionate about. This is what happens when missions align. When organizations come together to build a village, real lives are changed.

Special thanks to the DroneDeploy for believing in the vision that all people deserve to see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper!

The locally owned business, Food Geeks, now operates a new restaurant inside the nonprofit’s Goodwill Opportunity Campus.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is happy to announce that local restauranteur Food Geeks has opened a new restaurant venture inside the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, located at 5301 Wilkinson Boulevard in Charlotte.  

The restaurant, Good Food by Food Geeks, is a locally owned, family-run business offering “comfort food the Brooklyn way,” inspired by owner Terrence Burns’ upbringing in New York City. Good Food offers made-to-order, quality comfort food, in addition to grab-and-go offerings, quick snacks and treats, a coffee bar, and hot buffet lunch specials. Standout meu items include the Saratoga Salmon BLT Sandwich and Salad, Smothered Chicken and Grits, Smash Burgers, Smoked Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and Sweet Potato Chicken and Waffles.

Both Good Food and Goodwill share values of connecting and supporting community – with the Good Food team looking forward to not only offering delicious food, but also community events such as meet-ups, lunch and learns, open mic nights and more.  

“I’m excited for the new move and partnership with Goodwill,” says Terrence Burns, owner of Food Geeks. “It gives the Food Geeks brand a space to shine and provide some of the best comfort food this region has experienced, and most of all execute our vision of creating a space for food, family and fellowship.” 

“We were intentional about selecting a vibrant locally owned business in our community to operate in the restaurant space in this fantastic location,” said Jose Luis, Chief Operating Officer for Goodwill industries of the Southern Piedmont. “Food Geeks is a well-respected organization in the Charlotte community that aligns with the mission and values of Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont. The Goodwill Opportunity Campus was created as a place where people could see possibilities, seize opportunities, and prosper. With Good Food on campus, we are excited for Food Geeks to inspire possibilities and create opportunities for members of the community to come together in fellowship over some delicious offerings.”  

The restaurant space, which formerly housed Community Table Bistro, was established in 2016 to address the food desert along the Wilkinson Boulevard corridor, and to support the vision for the Goodwill Opportunity Campus. The state-of-the-art facility in west Charlotte provides the area’s most comprehensive collection of resources and opportunities for individuals seeking to advance their careers and improve their lives. The Goodwill Opportunity Campus houses Goodwill career services and training programs, as well as other nonprofit partners to support community members on their pathways to prosperity.  

The Goodwill Opportunity Campus offers several event, conference and meeting spaces available to rent, now with catering offerings provided by Good Food. 

This is the third locally owned restaurant or food business Goodwill has introduced in its facilities in recent years. The nonprofit added locally owned café’s, Salty Bean and Big Red’s, inside their concept stores in Rockingham and Shelby in 2022.   

Goodwill is hosting a donation drive in partnership with the Charlotte Knights! Stop by and donate your gently-used clothing, electronics, household items and more.

DETAILS

ENTER TO WIN PRIZES

When you donate your gently-used items, not only will you be giving back to your community – you’ll also be entered to win an XBOX One or a 50-inch flat screen TV!

THANK YOU, VETERANS!

In honor of Veterans Day, any veterans, military members or their dependents who donate will receive a coupon for 25% off donated goods at any Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont retail store, excluding its outlet store, Second Editions. Donors must show their veteran/military/dependent ID at the donation drive to receive the coupon.

YOUR DONATIONS MAKE AN IMPACT!

You can feel good about donating to Goodwill because your gently-used items will do good for our community! The revenue we generate from selling items in our stores funds career 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, including our own team members.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is partnering with CareerWork$® and The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to train and upskill people in the Charlotte region for careers in banking.

The Charlotte region is home to more than 91,000 financial services jobs, and it is the second-largest banking center in the nation. With no other workforce development programs dedicated to the finance industry in the greater Charlotte region, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont is expanding its training division to offer the BankWork$® program so that people have equitable access to career development opportunities.

“We envision a community where equitable access to career opportunities is available for all,” said Chris Jackson, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “We recognize that skilled training is an essential part of helping to build our growing city, and having these skills can lead to in-demand, high-potential careers. We’ve come together with CAEL and CareerWork$ to make the path to these careers possible in one of our community’s top industries.”

CareerWork$ partners with experienced workforce development and nonprofit organizations, like Goodwill, around the country to operate their programs. On a national level, the BankWork$ program has a 73% placement rate.

“CareerWork$ is thrilled to partner with Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont to bring BankWork$ to the Charlotte region. Through this partnership, we hope to help many in the community launch careers with excellent growth potential in the financial services industry,” said Ranko Fukuda, interim executive director.

BankWork$ is an eight-week intensive workforce services program that will give people the skills, access, and coaching needed to succeed and grow in banking careers—from understanding the financial services workplace to bank regulations, bank products, cash handling, and processing customer transactions. Graduates are prepared for roles such as: Associate Banker, Branch Banker, Client Services Representative, Lead Teller, Member Service Consultant, Personal Banker, Relationship Banker, Teller, and Call Center Representative.

Additionally, the program will engage prospective employers in the community during the duration of the program to provide industry insight and integrated recruitment opportunities.

“We look at the local business needs and participant opportunities to prosper when developing training programs for our nonprofit,“ said Raquel Lynch, chief program officer for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “In addition to providing BankWork$ to the Charlotte community, participants enrolled in this program will also have access to family stability services, a Career Navigator and Employer Engagement Specialist for assistance with interpersonal skills, mock interviews, resume preparation, and help landing the job.”

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont uses the revenue generated from the sale of donations throughout our retail stores and online, philanthropic donors, and grants to provide employment, job placement, job training, and certifications and credentials for anyone looking to improve their skills and grow their careers. The BankWork$ program is also offered free of charge but will provide participants with a stipend of $15 an hour during their training to support them on their journey toward a new career.

“CAEL is grateful for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s leadership in bringing this much-needed short-term career training program to the Charlotte community through Truist Foundation’s Where It Starts: Build Better Careers initiative,” said Earl Buford, president of CAEL. “We’re excited to see how our partnership with Goodwill and CareerWork$ continues to unfold as we work together to create opportunities for more individuals in the Charlotte area to connect with good jobs in the financial services sector.”

A.J. Bayi wears many hats – mom, wife and Program and Project Management Associate Manager for Accenture, a business management consulting firm in Charlotte, North Carolina. At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, she’s known as a mentor.

Bayi began working with the nonprofit’s participants in fall 2022 through her employer as a mentor to women enrolled in Goodwill’s Advanced IT training development programs.

“It was so rewarding,” Bayi said when explaining the joy she gets from helping others advance in tech. “After you struggle, doing so much, and you figure out ways to not struggle. All I want to do is tell people: “here are the steps.” Do this so that you don’t have to struggle.”

Bayi started her career in cyber testing, but like many moms, once she expanded her family and had her three kids, she took time off to raise them. Little did she know ten years out of the business would make it very challenging to get hired again. “It was very, very hard for me to get back into technology after having a 10-year break. Because every software testing or programming language that I knew was obsolete at that point.”

That’s when Bayi turned to certifications and landed a job as a business analyst. “And even with that, it still took two years to get that full time job and then once I got the full-time job, that’s when I realized, oh, I still have to figure out how to stay relevant and keep this job,” she explained.

Certifications, like the one Bayi acquired and those given to Goodwill University participants, are very beneficial for career advancement. Not only are they more affordable, but in tech, they’re actually more beneficial, “Now that the landscape is changing, we don’t need college as much because the technology is changing so quickly. College can’t even keep up with what the technology is doing. It’s more important that you can teach yourself the technology and upgrade your skills through the certification.”

Her own struggle is the reason why she’s passionate about helping others.

“I will do anything for your program. Absolutely anything. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with my job,” that was Bayi’s response to Goodwill Employment Engagement Specialist Craig Kalhagen, when he asked if she had time to come back and do more with the participants after mentoring the fall cohort. Now she’s working with the nonprofit outside of work.

Goodwill is able to provide job training in IT, construction, customer service, Microsoft and more – free of charge – thanks to donations and shopping at retail stores, as well as funds from individual and corporate donors. While those efforts help to fund the mission, there’s so many other ways that people can support Goodwill’s mission of building pathways that help people pursue the life they want to achieve. Goodwill’s Employer Engagement team heads up the efforts to bring industry experts into the training program to share their industry insight.

“Any time we can incorporate industry professionals into our training program as a guest speaker or co-facilitator it is an incredible opportunity for participants,” Kalhagen said. “They hear about how what their learning is used in the business world including what it takes to be successful. Our team greatly appreciates these partnerships, and it allows employers to get to know our participants better and create a talent pipeline for their company’s open positions.”

Students Bayi mentored received assistance with resume prep, mock interviews and career guidance. Since working with last year’s participants, Bayi has given two webinar training courses to spring 2023 participants, and regularly speaks with participants outside of class; even inviting them to the course she teaches on the weekend through Meetup, which she offers for free to Goodwill participants.

Bayi echoes Kalhagen’s sentiments and encourages local employers to get involved with the nonprofit. “Talking to someone and explaining to someone else what I do, and having them show interest, or even spark their own curiosity to do their own research in it is very rewarding,” Bayi explained. “The companies have the ability to take people and train them into what they want to become. They just have to have that commitment.”

If you or someone you know would like to volunteer your services, while having the opportunity to grow your company’s talent pipeline, please contact Craig Kalhagen by clicking here. If you’re interested in providing assistance to other Goodwill training services, please contact the Employment Engagement team by clicking here.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to prosper and thrive. That’s Goodwill’s vision for our future – a community where equitable access to career opportunities is available for all! But, this cannot be achieved alone.  

We’re proud to share our 2022 Community Report, highlighting the collaboration that made it possible for more than 7,700 people to advance their careers and improve their lives in partnership with Goodwill last year. 

Within this report, you will meet numerous people sharing their personal stories of overcoming obstacles, uncovering their passions, and achieving more for themselves and their families – all because of their talent and determination, and a little support. You will also learn more about the unique programs and services Goodwill offers that helped them on their journey – all available at no cost, thanks to the generous material and philanthropic donors in our community. 

At Goodwill, we want people to be able to create generational prosperity, and to wake up each day with a sense of hope and purpose. We hope you join us in envisioning what our community can be if we choose to invest in career opportunities for all. 

Just imagine the good we can do, together!