At Goodwill, our nonprofit mission is changing lives. But what does that change look like? For many of our clients, it’s not just a single achievement, such as earning a certification or finding a job. Instead, it’s an upward trajectory marked by numerous milestones.

Shaheera Alnatshia, our Achiever of the Year Impact Award winner for 2021, celebrated such a milestone this month. The Murfreesboro mom of four learned she would be hired on permanently by Accenture, a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. 

When Shaheera first came to Goodwill after emigrating from Jordan, she had experienced domestic violence, homelessness and joblessness. She was seeking a better life for herself and her children.

With Goodwill’s help, she earned a Google IT Support Professional Certificate, which led to an apprenticeship at Accenture, where she now has a rewarding career. Shaheera’s new title is Application Development Analyst, and the promotion comes with a substantial raise in salary as well as non-stop learning and development opportunities.

“You cannot imagine how we are feeling right now — me and my kids. We are all so happy,” Shaheera said. “Goodwill changed our lives in so many ways, and we are forever grateful.”