At Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Second Chance Month serves as a powerful reminder of the barriers faced by individuals impacted by the justice system—and the incredible opportunities that second chances can provide. Each April, we recognize the challenges of reentry and reaffirm our commitment to fostering equitable opportunities for success, like we did for Mark.
Before Mark began working at Goodwill in 2016, he was looking for a chance to start a career, but his road to stability was far from easy.
“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.”
The overwhelming majority of incarcerated individuals face similar obstacles upon their return to society. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 650,000 people are released from federal and state prisons annually, confronting significant challenges to employment, housing, education and community reintegration.
Mark owned a cleaning company, but inconsistent income led him to Goodwill for help with his job search. What started as a visit for resume assistance quickly turned into a career journey.
“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.”
For Mark, Goodwill provided much-needed stability after years of setbacks.
“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.”
Goodwill actively seeks to advance policy solutions that support justice-impacted individuals. Through fair-chance hiring practices, community-based support, and partnerships with organizations focused on holistic reentry programs proven to reduce recidivism, strengthen families, and create safer communities, we strive to provide people like Mark with a pathway toward success.
“Each year we partner with area reentry experts to determine best practices,” said Chip Bryan, Director of Talent Acquisition for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont. “As a result, we are able to offer more second chances to justice-involved individuals, helping them get a new lease on life and prevent recidivism, thus continuing to strengthen our community.”
Goodwill’s mission is to build pathways that help individuals pursue the lives they want to achieve. As a proud second-chance employer, we remain steadfast in creating equitable access to career opportunities for all.
Mark’s journey through Goodwill exemplifies this mission—and he takes pride in sharing his story with others.
“[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 rounding up at the register 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, Mark has formed meaningful connections that have inspired him along the way.
“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.”
Mark’s story is a testament to the transformative power of second chances. As we celebrate Second Chances Month, we honor his perseverance and the important work being done to support justice-impacted individuals across our community.
