Rai’s heart was broken in 1997 when his beloved wife, Ann, died of cancer.  They had plans, savings put aside for their retirement and wanted to grow old together.  For Rai, Ann’s death, “Threw me for a loop.  I was lost.”

It was a long spiral down for Rai.  Once a Merchant Marine, a bar owner and skilled at making blue prints for a business in San Francisco, Rai sank into despair when he was widowed.  He wasn’t able to keep a job and did day labor when he was desperate for money.  He lived on the streets and in shelters.  “I didn’t care anymore,” says Rai.

Rai had moved to Huntsville, Ala. and said he got in with the wrong crowd.  Marijuana and alcohol proved to be more than he wanted to handle.  A frank discussion with a friend convinced him that if he wanted to recover he needed to move to a new city for a new start.  Rai’s friend gave him a bus ticket to Nashville and he landed at the mission. He also landed at Goodwill.

After three days of classes in our Career Solutions program, Rai was offered the job of janitor at our Madison store.  “I worked hard.  My hours increased and I helped at the trailer at the old Rivergate store.”  When the new store in Rivergate opened, Rai was already on staff as a DEC attendant, where he remains today.

“I’ve saved money and I now have my own place.  I’m gearing up to buy a computer next and then a car.”  For Rai, Goodwill is likely going to be his last job.  “I’m in my mid 60s.  I’m good at what I do and I know my job well.  Goodwill gives me a reason to get up every morning.  It has given me purpose. This is where I’ll retire from.” To see Rai's commercial, click here.

Read more stories at http://whatyougiveme.com

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