Before Jill came to Goodwill, she felt stuck. She said that life felt “boring and meaningless.” She felt like she was missing out on having fun. She wanted her life to feel more exciting and purposeful. Jill wanted more for herself.
When she started working at Goodwill through the Extended Employment Program, Jill focused on one big goal: “Keeping a job for more than six months.” She worked hard, showed up every day, and slowly built the confidence she had been missing.
Over time, Jill began to feel proud of what she could do.
She shared, “Now I am proud of myself. 18 years at Goodwill.” That pride came from her growth, strength, and commitment.
Jill has different tasks at work that keep her busy, and her work makes a real difference. When she isn’t performing retail tasks, she helps keep the restrooms and floors clean, a job that many people rely on but may overlook. One of the people who works with her said she is “one of the many unsung heroes in the workplace.”
When Jill was asked what she was thankful to Goodwill for, she said, “They made me feel appreciated.” But more importantly, Jill learned to appreciate herself. And that is her true victory.