Name has been changed at the request of the employee to maintain anonymity.
A few years ago, Vivian’s life looked very different. She was struggling with an addiction and had lost her children. She felt stuck in a dark place and didn’t know how to move forward, so she decided to go to treatment. “The best thing I ever did was go into treatment,” she said. And for a year and a half, she worked hard to get sober and start over.
When she finished treatment, Catholic Charities helped her with an apartment. But she needed a job as well. So, one of the treatment staff members, who had worked at Goodwill before, encouraged her to apply for a job. Vivian had never had a job in her life due to some disabilities that made it difficult to get hired, so the thought of trying again was scary. But she decided to do it anyways.
That was three years ago. In July, Vivian celebrated her three-year work anniversary, and just recently, her fourth year sober. Working at Goodwill has taught her to do things she never thought she could, like counting money and running a register. Learning hasn’t always been easy for her, but she’s proud of how far she’s come.
“I was never shown how to be independent or have a job,” Vivian says. “But Goodwill keeps me good, and I enjoy coming to work every day. Without this job, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” She says her favorite part of work is her coworkers. They feel like family to her. When days are hard, she knows she can lean on them.
Vivian knows she isn’t where she wants to be yet, but she’s getting there. For now, she’s focused on showing her kids that anything is possible. She wants them to know that they can be independent too, and they can do hard things to reach their goals. Her story is one of courage, hard work, and hope. She’s still growing, still learning, and still proving to herself, and her children, that change is always possible.