The company Linda had previously worked for went under in 2008. Despite 23 years in customer service, she couldn’t find another job. “It wasn’t a good time to be looking for work,” she said. “No one was hiring.”

When Linda visited the Goodwill Career Solutions center in Rivergate, she had been out of work for three years. “At that time, we were about two months from losing our home,” she said. “I told them I needed a job and I was willing to do anything.”

Three weeks later, Linda got a job tagging clothes in one of Goodwill’s downtown Nashville warehouses. After seven months, she was promoted to assistant supervisor in the warehouse.

“I love helping people and encouraging people, and this job allowed me to do just that.”

Linda’s second promotion and current position allows her to help even more people. As a Goodwill job coach, she travels to different locations and works one-on-one with Goodwill clients who have a disability. “It is such a rewarding job,” she said with a smile. “When they master a task, I get excited, too.”

Linda said working for Goodwill has changed her life. “It has restored my faith and given me courage,” she said. “I can get up every morning with a smile on my face because I have a job that I love.”

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