Before Alicia found the support she needed, she was searching for a job that felt right. She tried a couple of part‑time positions, but none of them seemed to fit who she was or what she hoped for. She wanted a place where she could learn, grow, and feel comfortable being herself.
When she finally found the right environment, something started to change for her. As she settled in, she felt safe enough to learn at her own pace and develop new skills. That place was at Goodwill through Extended Employment Services.
With each day, she built friendships and found something she had been missing: purpose. She looked forward to showing up, helping others, and making a difference. Alicia shared, “I felt safe here to be myself and learn at my own pace.”
One special thing about Alicia is her natural talent for untangling things. Whether it’s wind chimes, shoelaces, or bundles of hangers, she steps in and takes over with patience and focus. She is able to see order in a mess, and she enjoys bringing things back to the way they should be.
As time went on, Alicia grew even more confident. She said, “My confidence soared and I came out of my shell. Now I pretty much know all the tasks and what needs to be done. I take pride in my work and know that I do a good job.”
Her growth did not go unnoticed. Her job coach is inspired by Alicia and shared, “She went from being shy and not having much enthusiasm about her job to mastering all the tasks and knowing what needs to be done daily. She talks to everyone and takes pride in her work, has excellent attendance and is a joy to work with.”
Today, Alicia is thriving. She stepped out of her shell, built real confidence, found community, and discovered strengths she didn’t even know she had. She takes pride in her work, shows up with purpose, and brings a bright, steady energy to everyone around her.