Success Stories
Michael
Michael had stopped in Albuquerque on his way to California when he was arrested for sitting in the passenger’s side of his own car in a public parking lot, intoxicated. His car was impounded with all his possessions in it while he served 44 days of a 90-day sentence.
Michael, 56, holds a Ph.D. with honors in civil engineering from Trinity College in Dublin. He has over 25 years experience in the construction and development industry, and he is also an actor with film credits. The charges were dropped; however, the court kept his car and possessions, so Michael hit the streets with no money. It was a difficult time for him but in November 2007, he found his way to Goodwill’s Pathways Program as a referral from Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless. Pathways staff found him a minor speaking role in a movie shooting in New Mexico while the search continued for permanent work.
In January 2008, Michael broke a Pathways record for income when he landed a job as a Project Engineer with a large Native American-owned construction company with a salary of $65,000/year. He began work in February and stayed in a hotel until his first paycheck came through. In the meantime, a heart condition has inspired him to abstain from drinking.
Said Michael recently, “Goodwill is, in my humble opinion, an extension of God’s goodness and compassion. I will be forever grateful for the support I received and look forward to making my own contribution for your wonderful work. God bless you all.”
Tricia
Tricia is a 23-year-old Zuni mother of two. When she came to Goodwill, she was very quiet and reserved. Her primary disability is hearing loss in one ear. She graduated from Zuni High School and completed one semester at UNM’s Gallup Branch. She began participating in Goodwill-Gallup’s Situational Assessment (S/A) program in 2007. S/A is a 90-day course of on-site training for those who have been out of the workforce for a long period of time, or have never worked or have trouble keeping a job. Clients participate in a real work setting where a supported employment team monitors their work skills and abilities, and helps them develop an employment plan.
When Tricia began her S/A program, she had only food preparation skills. The program helped her acquire food stamps and Medicaid. She also learned cashiering, customer service and interpersonal communication. During the last month of S/A, she applied for a cashiering position at Goodwill. Her S/A training had gone exceptionally well, so she qualified as an outstanding candidate and completed the hiring process with flying colors.
Today, after 90 days of successful employment as a full time Goodwill cashier, Tricia will receive a 50 cent raise. She no longer depends on public transportation because she was able to buy a car with her earnings. Tricia has achieved confidence, self-sufficiency and the ability to raise her children with the independence that employment provides. Tricia recently told us, “Thank you, Goodwill, for giving me the opportunity to become a full time employee and to practice the Goodwill mission!”
