Read Maryann's Amazing Story:

Mission Moment

Maryann grew up in a large, close-knit Italian family in New Jersey. As the youngest of five siblings, she was feisty and tough. Maryann had three brothers and one sister, who was also her best friend.

Maryann and her sister shared a love of shopping, TV shows and music. Although Maryann’s family owned a butcher shop in New York City, they supported her dreams of becoming a teacher and did not pressure her into working in the family business. Maryann earned her Bachelor’s degree in education and starting working as a 5th grade teacher in the South Bronx.

She and her sister started using drugs recreationally; however, they didn’t really talk to each other like they used to and they hid the extent of their drug use from one another. Eventually, Maryann’s sister was forced to participate in a drug treatment program. She continued using drugs and was ordered into more treatment programs but they weren’t able to help her. In February of 2017, Maryann’s sister lost her battle with addiction and died from an overdose. Maryann and her family were devastated and began to focus their attention on Maryann, fearing she would suffer the same fate.

By this time, Maryann had lost her job as an educator and she realized her drug use was way beyond being recreational. Maryann said she knew that there was no drug rehabilitation program that could help someone who did not want to be helped. She knew her sister had been forced into treatment and had never reached the point of being ready to quit. But Maryann was ready – she did not want to die and cause her family any more pain! Maryann agreed to move to Florida to participate in a residential treatment program, which focused on mind, body and spirit.

While in the program, Maryann met many women who had been struggling with addiction for years and learned that, statistically, the odds of her beating her addiction were not in her favor. Maryann was determined to succeed, motivated by her fear of death.

One day, someone from Goodwill Manasota came to teach a class about work-readiness and Maryann met a career development facilitator named Antonia. Antonia talked to her group about how to establish healthy boundaries and resolve conflicts, look for a job, and market your skillset to employers. Antonia was impressed with Maryann’s attitude and talked to her about working at Goodwill. She assured Maryann that Goodwill would not hold her past against her and she could still have a successful career, despite her past.

Maryann jumped at the opportunity and was quickly promoted from cashier, to lead cashier, to assistant store manager. With her background as a teacher, Maryann thrives at motivating her co-workers and keeping them working toward their goals. She was recently promoted again and is now in charge of managing an entire store. Her team members can’t get anything past Maryann: she’s been there and done that! Her quick, New York wit, mixed with her compassion, empathy and emotional intelligence, make her a pleasure to work for and with.

Maryann still loves watching her shows on TV, shopping, and listening to good music. She jogs and keeps her mind, body and spirit happy. She knows that if she continues to “show up” for life and work hard, good things will happen. Maryann is always ready to give others an opportunity to make a fresh start and often hires people others will not. She is proud to be giving back and “changing lives through the power of work.”  .  

Changing lives through the power of work!