On May 1, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee’s Goodwill Cares program once again activated its disaster partnership with the Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. A tornado swept through the area on April 28, destroying dozens of homes in Lincoln County. Goodwill set up...
After serving three years in prison, Kenneth went to work for a local company. Thirteen months later, his past came back to haunt him. “The company knew I had a felony, but when new management came in, they ran a background check and let me...
Joel spent 52 years in the household moving and storage business, relocating people worldwide. He was in his seventies when he finally retired, but he soon realized retirement life wasn’t for him. “It lasted about two years, and then I just decided I wanted to...
The Wedding Gala is Goodwill’s largest event of the year. It’s also one of the most exciting. This year was no different. The first bride showed up nearly 13 hours before the sale even began. Not only had brides come early, but some had traveled hundreds...
Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee just kicked off an exciting new program aimed at helping youth and young adults receive the tools they need to succeed. “Youth Building Goodwill” will provide educational, vocational and financial training to 17 to 25-year-olds who are out of school...
A stay-at-home mom, Dorothy had been out of the workforce for over 30 years. “I wanted to stay home and take care of my two children,” she said. “Then, when my children were teenagers, my sister passed away, and her three year old son came...
[caption id="attachment_1008" align="alignright" width="100"] Matthew Bourlakas, President and CEO[/caption] A woman barely escapes the harsh reality of living on the streets, a young man’s dream of playing soccer ends abruptly, and a mother’s son feels the desperation of a life unfulfilled. These are the stories...
Jose had big plans. He wanted to be a doctor, and he was hoping to get a soccer scholarship to Vanderbilt University. But on June 4, 2007, his life was forever changed. Jose was jogging in Mount Pleasant when a driver of an SUV pulled...
For nearly two decades, Shelley lived a secret life. “I was a meth addict for 19 years, and then the inevitable happened,” she said. In 2010, police arrested Shelley for the first time. The judge sentenced her to two years of supervised probation and ordered her...
With the house about to fill up with gifts and decorations, there is no better time to clear out unused or unwanted items while making the holidays brighter for everyone by donating to Goodwill. While you’re cleaning out your closet, make room on your tax...
Shenita is always in a good mood. "I like to make people laugh," she says. Shenita worked at Goodwill years ago when she was in school. Then she worked on many different projects through another local organization that helps adults who have disabilities find work. In...
Lam had a successful career in Vietnam as a machinist, but when he made the move to America in 2001 he couldn't find a job. "I applied at several different places, but no one would hire me because I am disabled and I don't speak English,"...
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Goodwill celebrates this time by honoring the people we employ who have a disability and those we serve who are engaged in the process of finding a job. Since January 2013, we’ve served 173 people with disabilities, and we’ve...
A car accident left Ian with permanent brain damage—damage that made it difficult for him to find work. "No one would take a chance on me," he said. That is, until Goodwill hired Ian as a greeter at the store in Lexington, Tenn. Since then, Ian has proven...
Charles had been an industry supervisor most of his life. After retirement, he decided he needed something else to keep him going. Charles had been looking for work for six months yet, with all of his experience, he couldn't find a job. He stopped by the...
