Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids

“When I was feeling like I wasn’t doing good enough, they pumped me up and told me you can do it. And by golly, I did!”

“the Goodwill Visions program helped changed my life, and I am thankful for the opportunities which came from the program.”

“They were always working with me. I found the housing on my own, but they were checking and asking if I needed anything. It actually gave me the inner strength to keep going.”

“At the end of my temporary position, my bosses sat me down and told me I was a perfect fit for the department. Thanks to Goodwill, I received so much help. It was a long process. I was coming from a distance and there were times my career coach had to pick me up, so I could make it to certain places. They even gave me bus tickets. I can honestly say to this day, Goodwill has been one of the best things that has happened to me.”

“At one point I got really down with everything in my outside life. That’s when my career coach started to fight for me personally. Reaching out in different ways and eventually we connected. I was motivated again. I was reminded that there is more to life than giving up and that’s what I had been doing, just giving up.”

““Achieve was great. It was just what I needed having a set schedule””

“Two weeks of Achieve classes gave me insight into what I needed to do differently to become employed. Creating my resume, cover letter, as well as completing the class exercises helped me learn employment skills, how to reduce my anxiety, how to deal with conflict, and now I am able to do job searches using the internet.”

“Being at work is my best medicine. It keeps me positive, which helps lower my depression and anxiety.”

“I love this job; it’s the best job I have ever had, and I see myself being here for a long, long time.”

““My supervisor gave me this opportunity. I like working for Goodwill, I’ve made a lot of good friends.””

““Andrea would go to the store whenever I needed her or to check on me. She came up with a plan A and a plan B to help me be successful,””

““Andrea was a great job shadow coach, she helped me with everything I wanted. She provided great skills for me to be successful,””

“I tell other people about Goodwill. The Achieve program was beneficial, it was good that I could go through the program first; it prepared me for working. I appreciate what everyone has done for me. The staff were all very polite, motivational and encouraging. I liked everybody and everything we went through was very informative and helpful, and it was a good start to getting me out of bed and getting on a schedule.”

“It was clear that Brad was committed to work by the effort he put in at Goodwill’s Achieve program. Our relationship with Goodwill gives us the opportunity to hire quality people that we might not otherwise meet.”

““so thankful to the staff at Goodwill for providing support, encouragement and resources””

““would provide such a great employment opportunity.””

“I knew this was the real deal. I only focused on getting my certification. There were times I didn’t eat before this to save up for a security deposit- I lived on Tootsie Rolls and water. I just had to focus on my certification. Compared to my past, my life has done a whole 180. I have my own place now. I have a job, I have health insurance, I have food in my fridge. I know I’m going somewhere in life.”

“I hopped from factory to factory and slept all over Grand Rapids until I found something worth my while, which was Goodwill’s IT program.”

“There is nothing to lose by going through the GoodSTART program. It is fast and provides better career opportunities with higher pay. Who wouldn’t do it.”