When Cameron Moore learned how American bison instinctively react to a storm — by running toward it — something clicked. 

Cameron’s Workforce Development Coach at Goodwill, Jessica Millender, showed him a video about how bison — also known as buffalo — turn toward inclement weather to reduce their exposure and discomfort. Her goal was to help him see how, by avoiding confrontations with family, friends and co-workers, Cameron had unintentionally prolonged his struggles. 

“Cameron’s magnetic personality is his superpower. People want to be around him,” Jessica explains. “But he needed to understand how to harness and protect it so he could move forward in life, rather than having people pull at him. From that point on, I saw a change in him.” 

The 30-year-old’s life had begun with promise. Born in Nashville and raised in Franklin, Cameron was bright and outgoing, musically and athletically gifted. He had loving, supportive parents. After graduating from Independence High School, he went to college in California on a football scholarship. 

But poor decisions — including the people he surrounded himself with and marijuana and alcohol use — led to the end of his college journey and football career. He returned to Middle Tennessee hoping to get back on track. But continued substance abuse resulted in multiple incarcerations — including a 37-day stint in the jail overseen by his father, a high-ranking sheriff’s department official. 

“You can imagine how that looked — I ended up in my dad’s jail, in protective custody, alone in a cell 23 hours a day,” Cameron says. 

In 2023, Cameron, who by then had three children and a stepchild, was jailed again on a felony drug charge. When released, he had no job, no vehicle and no income. He was staying with his girlfriend, unable to contribute to rent or pay child support. 

“That was my low point,” he said. “As a man, you want to take care of everything. I never want to feel like that again.” 

He struggled to find work because of his criminal record but eventually secured a position as a restaurant waiter. Still, he needed more. 

His girlfriend, who had previously received help from Goodwill’s Connecting Forward program — which provides education and resources for struggling families — implored him to visit the Goodwill Career Solutions Center in Spring Hill.  

Cameron reluctantly contacted Goodwill. That’s when he met Jessica, who helped him make a fresh start. 

Over three months, Cameron met with Jessica twice a week. She helped him prepare a resume, improve his time management skills, open a savings account and create a budget. She also helped him enroll in a UX Design course and the Persevere Program — a statewide initiative that equips justice-involved individuals with technology education and life skills training.  

Additionally, Jessica connected Cameron with a therapist and guided him in focusing on four priorities: self-development, employability skills, interpersonal relationships and business. 

“She made me remember who I was and how I was raised to be,” Cameron recalls. “Jess brought me out of darkness. I owe her everything.” 

With support from Goodwill and Jessica, Cameron’s life began to stabilize and then blossom. He found a job in construction and earned a promotion. He continued working part-time at the restaurant and was promoted there. He studied project management in the Persevere Program. 

He joined a friend and mentor in a Spring Hill business: Royal Event & Social — an event venue, soul food kitchen and recording studio. 

He reignited his passion for music as a drummer and vocalist. He and his band are preparing to release their first country single in July, when he’ll celebrate his 31st birthday and another major achievement — five months of sobriety.  

Cameron says his income has tripled since he first walked into Goodwill. Perhaps best of all, he has learned to set boundaries, and his relationships with his parents, children and extended family have improved tremendously. 

“Everybody’s welcomed me back in,” he says. “My dad is super proud — watching me evolve as a man. That means everything.” 

How Goodwill is Changing Lives through Career Solutions Services

Learn more about the Connecting Forward program at Goodwill