Meet Fathimah, a participant in Goodwill’s Adult Career Services program!

Fathimah came to Goodwill this past February for assistance in finding employment. Her ultimate goal is to obtain a nursing degree and license and find a job in the medical field.

Once enrolled in our Adult Career Services program, Fathimah got to work! Since February, she has worked tirelessly to create a better future for her and her family. She has obtained her driver’s permit and working towards a license, completed the Computer Basics course through the Goodwill Tech Academy, found a job, and has plans to enroll in Goodwill’s CompTIA ITF+ program and nursing school.

Congratulations and good luck with your future endeavors, Fathimah!

Learn more about Goodwill’s Adult Career Services here.

Meet Milton (right), a participant in Goodwill’s Fatherhood FIRE program!

After successfully completing our Fatherhood FIRE program, Milton was hired as a case manager in our reintegration department at Goodwill. He quickly learned all of his position’s responsibilities and stood out as a skilled case manager within the department.

Recently, Milton was nominated and selected to participate in the National Responsible Fatherhood Alliance’s (NRFA) Responsible Fatherhood program. As one of eight individuals chosen from across the country, Milton traveled to Oklahoma City, OK, and participated in NRFA’s conference.

Through the Responsible Fatherhood year-long program, Milton and other selected candidates will travel to multiple fatherhood conferences, present on various topics, learn how Responsible Fatherhood operates, and visit other similar programs. Goodwill’s reintegration department is extremely proud of Milton’s accomplishments and wish him well on his year of learning!

Learn more about Goodwill’s Fatherhood FIRE program here.

Meet Tammy, a student in Goodwill’s GED program! Tammy began her studies with Goodwill in 2020. In the beginning, she struggled with using her outdated computer and had difficulty applying to programs such as Social Security and Medicaid.

Thanks to Goodwill’s partnership with the United Way Digital Navigator Network program, Tammy was given a new laptop to use for her education. Now, she is looking forward to studying for her GED, taking exams remotely, and improving her digital skills without using outdated technology.

Tammy is very grateful for the laptop and wants to give a special shoutout to the teachers and staff at Goodwill for always taking the time to listen!

Best of luck with the rest of your studies, Tammy!

Learn more about Goodwill’s GED program here.

Meet Michelle, a participant in Goodwill’s EARN program! Michelle enrolled in our EARN program in July 2022 because she needed support finding specialized childcare for her three-year-old son. Aside from finding childcare, Michelle had other family difficulties to manage. With the help of Goodwill’s EARN team, Michelle received support and resources to resolve her struggles while still supporting her family.

Michelle enrolled in Goodwill’s GED program in 2023. So far, she has passed three sections of the test and hopes to complete the fourth soon. While enrolled in GED classes, Michelle participated in a Subsidized Work Experience at the Goodwill Retail Outlet Center to enhance her job skills. This experience gave Michelle the confidence she needed to develop a plan for her future employment. With the support of Goodwill, Michelle was hired by Walmart as a full-time digital shopper!

Goodwill is incredibly proud of Michelle’s determination to expand her education and support her family. Congratulations, Michelle!

Meet Brianna, a graduate of Goodwill’s education program!

Brianna sought Goodwill’s services to finish her education for free. Her teacher, Kim, says that she was an excellent student who participated in class and worked hard outside of class to meet her goals while still working her regular job. Brianna’s advice for incoming students is: “It might be hard, but keep pushing yourself and never give up. It’s all worth it at the end. You can do it!”

Now that she has her High School Equivalency Diploma, Brianna hopes to work in healthcare! Congratulations, Brianna!

Learn more about Goodwill’s education programs here.

Meet Abigail! Abigail immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala and needed to learn English. She came to Goodwill and was thrilled that we offered our classes for free.

With the help of her teacher Sarah, Abigail learned how to speak English more fluently with the goal of being able to obtain a job. She then began working with Genna, an instructor in Goodwill’s Career Services department, who helped her create a resume and assisted her in her job search and application processes.

Thanks to the help of Goodwill and Abigail’s determination, she was able to land a job. She said, “I am very grateful for this opportunity and didn’t have to pay for class. I learned so much! I even know things that my husband, who is American, doesn’t know about English!”

Learn more about Goodwill’s ESL classes here.

Learn more about Goodwill’s Career Services here.

Meet Tina, a retail associate at the North Hills Goodwill store! Tina started in Goodwill’s Supported Employment Program and was officially hired as a Goodwill team member this past December.

During her time in the Supported Employment Program, Tina appreciated the help and guidance from her job coaches. She learned common workplace skills and felt more confident in her work. Going forward, Tina hopes to continue her career at Goodwill and improve her skills.

Additionally, Tina was recently named Employee of the Month at the North Hills Goodwill store! Tina says, I am happy here at Goodwill and I like helping everyone.”

Learn more about Goodwill’s Supported Employment Program here.

Meet Miranda, a participant in the UPMC Project SEARCH program hosted at Passavant Hospital!

When she started the program, Miranda did not have access to a device at home which limited the activities she could complete outside of the program. Through support from Comcast and in connection with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Digital Navigator Network, Goodwill was able to provide Miranda with a new laptop.

A laptop at home will greatly simplify the job search process for Miranda by providing access to essential resources, tools, and opportunities that are crucial for securing meaningful employment. With her new laptop, Miranda feels more confident about her abilities to search for jobs and achieve her goal of competitive employment after high school!

UPMC Project SEARCH is a one-year training program fully immersed in the workplace (UPMC) for high school students with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to work. Learn more here.

Meet Jamal, a GED student at Goodwill! Jamal began classes at Goodwill this October with the goal of expanding his education for better job opportunities. He’s previously worked in flooring and drywall installation but has a dream of training to be a union carpenter, which requires a GED.

Jamal had difficulty applying for jobs using just his cell phone and couldn’t access digital study tools. Goodwill recognized Jamal’s need for a computer and helped him apply for a laptop from Comcast. Jamal is very grateful to be rewarded with a laptop and plans to use it to help study for his GED exams!

Learn more about Goodwill’s GED program here.

Meet Rich, a student in the Goodwill Tech Academy’s A+ CompTIA program!

Rich first came to Goodwill in June 2023 to participate in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ course. After successfully earning the certification, he applied for and was accepted into the CompTIA A+ program. Most recently, Rich passed the first of two exams to earn the A+ credential!

Rich says, “I have found myself more capable of solving problems in my current workplace. I can also troubleshoot problems before they really blow up into larger issues. Having gained the ITF+ and the first part of the A+ has also increased the esteem I have in my workplace.” Congratulations, Rich!

Learn more about the Goodwill Tech Academy to begin your IT career here!

Meet Yvena, a student in our English as a Second Language (ESL) Program!

Yvena immigrated to Pittsburgh from Haiti last March and came to Goodwill seeking ESL classes. Her determination to learn English over the past year has opened up many doors for her, including helping her obtain employment at West Penn Hospital. When asked about her experience at Goodwill, Yvena said, “I like Goodwill because it gives me the ability to learn!”

Recently, Yvena was part of an ESL tutoring group that received laptops to help her further her education and make the Internet more accessible. We’re incredibly proud of Yvena’s dedication to learning English!

Learn more about Goodwill’s ESL program here.

Meet Eric, a student in our English as a Second Language (ESL) Program!

Eric sought Goodwill’s services after immigrating to Pittsburgh from Peru, specifically with his pronunciation and vowels. His goal is to improve his English to help him in his job as a waiter. When we asked Eric about his experience at Goodwill, he said, “Goodwill is a very good place to learn English!”

Recently, Eric was part of an ESL tutoring group that received laptops to help him further his education and make the Internet more accessible. We’re incredibly proud of Eric’s dedication to learning English!

Learn more about Goodwill’s ESL program here.

Meet Colby, a Project SEARCH graduate working in UPMC Passvant’s Environmental Services (EVS) department!

This past November, Colby received the Support Services of the Year Award for his commitment to two of UPMC’s core values, Responsibility and Integrity. When presented with the award, Colby was described as “the heart of the EVS department, and his excitement is infectious. Colby takes pride and responsibility in his role, and the EVS team can always count on him to work hard and complete the assigned task. . .Colby can be seen throughout the facility working on different projects and has proven to be one of the most dependable associates in the EVS department. He leads by example by demonstrating a willingness to assist whenever needed and ensure the job is done correctly.”

In addition to meeting his employment goals, Colby had the goal of obtaining his driver’s license. He recently passed his driver’s test and can now drive himself anywhere he wants. Congratulations, Colby!

UPMC Project SEARCH is a one-year training program fully immersed in the workplace (UPMC) for high school students with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to work. Learn more here.

Meet Kyah! Having a life-long goal of earning her CDL license and becoming a driver, Kyah decided to register for Goodwill’s YouthWorks CDL program in September 2022. After beginning classes this past January, she quickly received practical and hands-on training, as well as stipends and gas cards to assist her with the cost of traveling to classes.

After being enrolled in the CDL program for two months, Kyah successfully passed her CDL exam on the first try! Now that she has her CDL license, Kyah has more opportunities for employment and a higher salary. In fact, she is now employed full-time with Hogan Personnel as a driver!

When we asked Kyah about her experience, she said “Goodwill gave me the stepping stones I needed to further my education and career in commercial truck driving. Thanks to them I now have a full-time job on the road doing what I love!” Congratulations, Kyah!

Know someone who’d like to get their CDL license? Click here to learn more.

Meet Kirk, a former shelter resident at our Northside Common Ministries (NCM) program! Kirk shared his inspiring journey through NCM at the Celebration of Caring event earlier this month.

Having recently been released from prison, Kirk sought shelter at NCM and utilized every resource available to him. This past September, Kirk successfully completed NCM’s program by finding stable housing and employment!

Now no longer a resident, Kirk plans to work at Northside Common Ministries to help others how he was helped. He appreciated the non-judgmental approach to his past and credited Assistant Director Ed Boehme with helping him find all the resources he needed. Congratulations, Kirk, we’re excited to see where you can go from here!

Learn more about NCM here.

Meet Ty! In August of last year, Ty joined Goodwill’s Mental Health Transitional Employment (MHTE) Program in Fayette as a way to take their life in a more positive direction again. They were placed in the toner/cartridges recycling department and flourished in a low-stress work environment. This past September, Ty officially completed their training in the MHTE Program!

During their time in the MHTE Program, Ty maintained a positive attitude and dedicated work ethic. In fact, Ty was so successful that they were hired by Goodwill upon their completion of the program! Ty notes that their Goodwill experience “gives me the helping hand to take care of my family and helps me to grow as a person.”

Goodwill’s Mental Health Transitional Employment Program offers support to individuals whose employment success may be impacted by their mental health. Participants are offered the opportunity to gain foundational work skills to be competitive in the workforce, through Goodwill’s community-based janitorial, retail, and cartridge recycling programs. Learn more here.

Meet Sydney, a recent GED graduate at Goodwill! Sydney enrolled in our in-person classes last June with a clear goal of graduating and securing a fulfilling job. One standout feature that she appreciated was the small class setting, which allowed for individualized focus and attention. Additionally, Sydney expressed her gratitude for her instructors and their role in helping her pass her exams. After months of hard work, Sydney graduated last week and will celebrate in cap and gown on October 5th! Congratulations, Sydney!

Learn more about Goodwill’s GED classes here.

Meet Alexis, a participant in Goodwill’s EARN Program! Alexis has always wanted to be a nurse but struggled to complete her education at the California University of Pennsylvania. Later, Alexis decided to enroll in Pittsburgh Technical College’s (PTC) Practical Nursing Program and reached out to Goodwill for assistance.

As a mother of two, Alexis knew she needed to find balance in her schooling and parenthood to succeed. Goodwill’s EARN Program supported Alexis’s education by providing childcare to her two children, transportation, financial assistance, and more. Despite her busy schedule, Alexis remained focused on her goal and took advantage of the tools offered to her.

Alexis graduated from PTC’s Practical Nursing Program on June 29th, 2023. Goodwill and the EARN team are proud of Alexis’s perseverance and her ability to recognize her POTENTIAL!

Learn more about Goodwill’s EARN program here.

Paula, a participant from the Center For Employment Opportunities, joined Goodwill’s Give Back Program because she needed an outfit for her upcoming job interview at River’s Casino. Goodwill provided Paula with Goodwill gift cards to help her find the perfect outfit! Paula writes, “Goodwill helped me tremendously. I felt more confident going into my interview, knowing I looked the part.”

Goodwill’s Give Back Program provides gift cards to local organizations to give to individuals needing immediate help. Giving people the ability to shop for themselves in a time of need builds confidence to help them succeed in the future. Learn more here.

Meet Kathy, a participant in Goodwill’s EARN Program! Kathy moved to the Pittsburgh area about three years ago as a single mother of six. Despite coming to Goodwill during the pandemic, she was determined to complete the program quickly. After much hard work, Kathy earned her certification as a Peer Specialist, which helped enrich her Associate’s Degree.

Goodwill’s mission resonated with Kathy and her passion for helping youth. Kathy liked being at Goodwill so much that she accepted a full-time position as a Program Specialist with Goodwill’s YouthWorks program this past March!

Kathy shares her gratitude for the EARN team for giving her the motivation and encouragement she needed to obtain employment, leading to a fulfilling career in Human Services. The EARN team is extremely impressed by her incredible determination, talent, and positive energy – all of which have made her a valuable addition to the organization! Congratulations and welcome to the Goodwill team!

Learn more about Goodwill’s EARN program at https://www.goodwillswpa.org/life-changing-services/employment-services/adult-workforce-development/career-services/

Meet Jamar, a participant in Goodwill’s FIRE Fatherhood program! Jamar is the legal guardian of his three younger siblings, and came to Goodwill looking for help gaining full-time employment. Within a month of being in FIRE, he landed a full-time job with benefits!

When we asked Jamar about Goodwill, he said, “Working with the Father’s program was a very humbling experience, it felt like I was talking to one of my friends rather than it being a class. We were able to relate with the stuff that we learned in class and also just get advice from the other fellas. I always looked forward to being in class and you received beneficial items with the Amazon gift card so overall it was a very good experience.”

Goodwill’s FIRE Fatherhood program offers assistance, guidance, and fellowship to fathers in a group setting. Learn more here: https://www.goodwillswpa.org/life-changing-services/housing-and-community-services/community-services/fire-fatherhood/

Meet Carey, a Production Support Specialist at the Goodwill Workforce Development Center in Fayette! Recently Carey was honored as a 2023 UniqueSouce Achievement Award recipient for his hard work and willingness to lend a hand. Carey has struggled with his health and thought he would have to give up working entirely. He came to Goodwill’s Mental Health Transitional Employment program to get help gaining the skills needed for employment. He eagerly began the program training in the manufacturing/recycling department. Throughout each step of the program, Carey exceeded all expectations! After completing the program, he was hired as a Production Support Specialist last June. Congratulations, Carey!

Goodwill Operations Manager Kim Johnson says Carey “…makes a substantial impression on others. I was impressed with him from the moment he contacted Goodwill about the Mental Health Transitional Employment program. He was so eager to receive assistance with conquering his barriers to employment and gaining meaningful work. That eagerness and determination landed him a position in our Goodwill family. We are so happy to have him.”

The Fayette Mental Health Transitional Employment Program assists individuals with a mental health diagnosis gain the skills necessary to obtain competitive employment. Participants are offered the opportunity to gain foundational work skills to be competitive in the workforce, through Goodwill’s community-based janitorial, retail, and cartridge recycling programs. Learn more at https://www.goodwillswpa.org/life-changing-services/disability-services/mental-health-services/fayette-mental-health-transitional-employment-program/

Meet Tommy, a Project SEARCH program graduate working at UPMC! Tommy was recently presented with The Award for Commitment and Excellence in Service (ACES), which honors staff who exemplify UMPC’s five core values: quality & safety, caring & listening, responsibility & integrity, and excellence & innovation.

When nominating Tommy for the ACES Award, Project SEARCH stated, “Tommy has worked in Transport for six years after completing and graduating from the Project SEARCH program. No matter what, Tommy always greets people with a smile and ‘Hi, how are you?’ His friendly personality is known throughout the hospital. Additionally, Tommy’s work ethic is beyond reproach. When he needs to ask a question, he waits politely until a nurse is free to ask a question. If a nurse asks Tommy to remove equipment, Tommy is more than willing to help. There is never a job that Tommy turns away. Besides his work ethic and friendly personality, Tommy brings sunshine to people who are lucky enough to encounter him in the hospital. If you are having a bad day, find Tommy. It’s a guarantee he’ll brighten your day.”

Tommy is also a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan. When presented with the award, he was also given a signed Penguins jersey and a congratulatory letter from player Jeff Carter. Congratulations, Tommy!

UPMC Project SEARCH is a one-year training program fully immersed in the workplace (UPMC) for high school students with disabilities who are transitioning from high school to work. Learn more here: https://www.goodwillswpa.org/life-changing-services/disability-services/transition-services/project-search/ 

Meet Clovia! She came to Goodwill in 2021 to earn her High School Secondary Diploma. Right away, our instructors knew that Clovia would have no trouble earning her HSE! She participated in every class and led class discussions. Soon Clovia began taking her exams, then tragedy struck. Clovia and her family lost their home and their belongings in an apartment fire. Despite this unfortunate circumstance, Clovia forged on. While searching for a new place to live, she remained dedicated to her education and continued to attend class. 

Clovia has advice for anyone interested in High School Equivalency: “It’s never too late to try. Age is just a number. Don’t ever give up on your goals. Perseverance is key. If anybody had a reason to postpone or pause, it was me. There was the fire, my husband, but I knew what I wanted and I stayed true to that. Thanks to Goodwill for this opportunity of a lifetime and for helping us achieve even when we want to give up. I didn’t know this was possible.”

Clovia is currently working for UMPC. She is pursuing Medical Assistant training now that she has her HSE diploma. Goodwill is proud of Clovia for her perseverance and recognizing her own POTENTIAL to succeed! 

Learn more about Goodwill’s education programs at https://www.goodwillswpa.org/education

Meet Skyler! Skyler first came to Goodwill through the YouthWorks Retail Traning Program, which helps prepare and train individuals for a job in retail. Goodwill worked with Skyler to help him become more comfortable working in a store, and he successfully completed the program three months ago!

After completing the Retail Training Program, Skyler was hired as a retail associate at the Lawrenceville Goodwill store! He says he looks forward to earning his own income and hopes to move into his own place someday.

Skyler’s favorite Goodwill Core Value is COMMUNITY because it makes work more enjoyable and manageable. When he isn’t at work, Skylar enjoys studying, reading, and contemplating life. Goodwill helped Skyler recognize his POTENTIAL and gave him the training needed to succeed!

Learn more about Goodwill’s YouthWorks Retail Training Program at https://www.goodwillswpa.org/impact-retail

Meet Marla, a donations processor at the West Mifflin Goodwill store! Last month, Marla participated in the 2023 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games at Seven Springs. In total, she ended up winning two gold medals, both in skiing!

Marla started as a program participant at Goodwill and then was hired as a part-time team member over 15 years ago. Goodwill is proud of Marla’s accomplishments and her ability to reach her full POTENTIAL!