Bernice, a production associate at one of Goodwill’s downtown Nashville warehouses, exhibits many traits that make her a valuable employee. She learns quickly. Her attendance and attitude are outstanding. Her supervisor says she is a pleasure   to work with.

But for 25 years, those traits lay dormant. During that quarter century, Bernice never held a conventional job. She was addicted to drugs, and attempts to sell drugs got her in trouble with the law.

Bernice eventually went through rehabilitation for her addiction, but her outlook on life remained grim.

“I really didn’t think I could get a job, by me getting two felonies,” she said.

But in 2010, after two years of sobriety, Bernice

entered into job placement services with the Goodwill Career Solutions center at Rivergate. “Goodwill gave me the chance to be a responsible citizen and a purpose to do things that I thought I could not do,” she recalled. “It changed my life.”

Bernice began making up for lost time. She  mastered several different roles in different departments. Her primary duty now is grading clothing, but she frequently works in other departments as well. She enjoys the variety.

Her personal life has stabilized as well. She has remained sober for six years.

“I can see where I’m going, and (I’m) doing personal things for me and my grandbabies,” she said. “(Goodwill) gave me integrity. … I’m normal, like normal people that work and do things. It has   helped me so much.”

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