Behind every success story is a rocky first start, a courageous leap of faith, or a radical change of direction. Learn how real Goodwill participants overcame difficult circumstances — including job loss, lack of education, language barriers, disabilities, and homelessness — to launch fulfilling careers.
“I feel like over the years, I’ve donated so much stuff to Goodwill, and you don’t really know what happens after that. You don’t know the full impact of what doing that can do for somebody else. And now we are on the other side of it. So, we’ve seen the full circle process of what it can do for us.”
“I had no money, but I knew that I had to study or go to school. I found Goodwill, and it was free. It was the perfect first step.”
“This is what I want to do as a career. The Goodwill program is definitely the reason that I started exploring this. I didn’t have to worry about paying for school or going into debt.”
“I just can’t say enough about how great this program is, what a great job it’s doing, and what an awesome impact it is making for the community and for Charlotte and the surrounding areas.”
“I always sing praises about the BankWork$ program because I feel like without that, I wouldn’t have been as prepared to be here in this position, and I wouldn’t have been exposed to as many bankers.”
“My Career Navigator was helpful throughout my entire process. She helped me with my resume and sent me numerous jobs. She sent me vouchers to make sure I had clothing for job interviews, and helped me get into the entryway program, which provided resources for when I was homeless.”
“People who are accepted into this program are determined, focused and ready for that next step in life. I went from no offers prior to Goodwill, to three companies wanting me. I was so grateful for that.”
“Being able to get certifications that mean something in the industry and can get me a foot in the door, all for free, while also getting someone who’s going to walk me through it every step of the way – it was awesome.”
“I’m meeting all the different customers, and I’m really loving my team and growing with them.”
“[This program] removes financial stress and gives people a chance to grow and improve their skills without worrying about money. This is a real opportunity to rebuild careers and move forward. It’s not just about learning—it’s about opening doors to better opportunities and creating a brighter future.”
