05 Jan James’s Story

For 38 years, James worked in the funeral home business. He was there for people in their hour of need, consoling their sorrows.

But when James lost his job in 2011, it appeared that no one would be there for him. He applied for jobs at numerous funeral homes without success.

“Due to my age, it seemed like no one had an opening,” he said. “So, for five months I was at home, not knowing what I would do.”

A friend told James’ wife about Goodwill Career Solutions, and she suggested he give it a shot.

At the Rivergate center, he was introduced to computers. He also received training in retail and help updating his resume. Then, he went home to wait.

“I waited about four weeks, and then one day at 1:10 p.m. my phone rang,” James recalled. His Goodwill career counselor asked James if he was ready to go to work.

“I told her I sure was,” he said.

James started as a clothes tagger in one of Goodwill’s downtown Nashville warehouses. Supervisors quickly recognized his potential, and now James is an assistant supervisor, responsible for a team that places more than 12,000 garments on hangers each day.

James said his co-workers are like family.

“Now, I’m working with people that are happy,” he said. “It’s like a big family.”

Watch James’s Story: