Goodwill Central Texas

“It’s a joy to work with people,” he said. “And I didn’t know that. I enjoy helping people. And every day it’s very rewarding.”

““When I started realizing what Goodwill means to me, it was a happy-sad feeling. I’m just so thankful for everything and it makes my heart so happy, I want to cry. It’s a feeling that you can feel in your heart — and if you can — you know Goodwill is doing something right!””

““Ms. Wendy makes you feel like you want to be in school and that you have reason to be there. She inspires everyone to go back to school every day. If you’re running late to class, she’ll even find you a ride!””

““The Goodwill Excel Center helps everybody excel by making sure they have the resources they need to stay in school.””

““Goodwill opened doors for me. They’ve given me a career, and now I know I can overcome any obstacle. I will achieve my goals.””

““My Case Manager reviewed my transcript and spoke with my [college] advisor…I got support, I was shown how to do things.””

““Goodwill helped me stay on course to achieving my goals, and showed me that I can still accomplish more.””

““People need to know more about Goodwill because they need to know how much it helps. Now I know how life-changing Goodwill is.””

““I just want everyone to know how grateful and how thankful I am that I was able to do this training for free.””

““Once I added that I was pending certification as a phlebotomist on my resume, I was hired!””

““I believe that’s my calling. I’ve been doing that ever since I was a little kid. I used to bandage up my dolls and my teddy bears and take care of them like I was their doctor.””

““Everything I did before didn’t work. Now I believe that I wasn’t supposed to be in those programs; I was supposed to be here,””

““At Goodwill, I felt like I was home as soon as I walked in.””

“They were so caring and encouraging. They made me feel accepted and not judged.”

““Goodwill has been like a family. I now see the best in me, because Goodwill saw the best in me!””

““Before Goodwill, I did not have hope and didn’t know where I would have ended up. But Thanks to Goodwill I now have a positive view of life, a new career, and a lot of hope.””

““The programs that Goodwill offered have changed my life and given me a new career.””

““Barely a year ago, we came here with nothing—no hopes, lots of challenges—and I wasn’t strong enough to go it alone. Goodwill was there to help me succeed, no matter what…with no judgment. They got me where I am today. My kids are doing well, and I am doing great,””

““I’m not stopping. I’m going on for more education. My son, Michael, is 12 years old now. I want him to see that education helps you succeed. It gives you more than a job. It gives you a future that you look forward to every day.””

““They are not just there to educate students, they are there for you no matter what the situation. They really care. They don’t judge you. They are there to help you succeed. Especially Mr. Matt Williams. He has been an inspiration for me. But they all inspire me to go further, to try harder. The hardest part is starting…so why stop now?””

““Goodwill has opened a lot of opportunities for me, Michael remarked. “I will be more financially stable. And with the Linux training, I will be getting into an entry level IT job as a network administrator.””

“I feel so blessed. And it’s because of Goodwill. I love my life and my work – and that shines through in everything I do, every day.”

“No one wanted me. I was losing hope. I was getting desperate.”

“I was at the lowest point in my life. Because of hard work and Goodwill’s help, I have a roof over my head.”

““I took advantage of every option there is. That’s how I’m able to stand here today. I was able to say, ‘hey, I need help.’ It helped give me the security I needed to keep pushing forward.””