Read Tony's Amazing Story:

Mission Moment

Tony came to Goodwill looking for a new job. He had been at his current job for a little over year and felt like he wasn’t getting anywhere. Tony described feeling undervalued and unappreciated. Although he was thankful to have been asked to come back after the shutdown, he still wasn’t getting the full- time hours that he needed, working just two days a week while making barely above minimum wage.

In addition to feeling frustrated at work, Tony had recently become the primary caregiver of his two young children. Tony needed to find a new job that could offer him full-time hours so that he could focus on doing his most important job: being a father.

Tey, from Goodwill’s Community Connection program, helped Tony take a look at Goodwill’s website to see if any of those positions would be a fit. Tony decided to apply for one of the open donor greeter positions Goodwill had available. In addition to the Goodwill position, he also applied for other positions in the community. After an hour of sitting at the computer, Tony didn’t seem satisfied with how his job search was going. He felt discouraged and wasn’t confident that he was going to find the type of employment that would meet his needs. As he was preparing to leave, Tey reminded Tony that she was there and available for him any time he needed assistance. She encouraged Tony to give the HR team at Goodwill a call in a couple days to let them know he was very interested in working for Goodwill. He said that he would.

Tony showed up a week later in high spirits. Tey noted, “It looks like you have good news.” His smile widened, “I took your advice and called human resources. I had an interview and was hired.” Tony seemed quite proud of his accomplishment. The best part, he said, was the look on his boys’ faces when they heard the good news.

Tony got emotional while talking about his boys and how proud of them he was. He recalled the day the judge told him he was granted full custody. “It was the happiest moment of my life. I had been fighting for years to hear her say this and I just want to give them everything I have.”

As Tony finished up his paperwork on the computer, he thanked Tey for the encouraging words and promised he would be the best worker Goodwill has ever seen. Tony is thankful that he found an employer that would pay him well above minimum wage and that really meant “full-time” when they promised “full-time.” He is proud that Goodwill is giving him the opportunity to provide for his children.  


Changing lives through the power of work!