Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC

"Earlier this year I suddenly found myself facing the looming reality of losing my employment for the first time. I realized fairly quickly that I needed guidance in refreshing my resume, which was roughly a decade out of date. After attempts to do it myself, I knew I needed some real help to make sure I was presenting myself correctly. My mother first pointed me towards Goodwill’s Career Services in a hope that I could find someone to talk to. Through that search, the help of a friend, and the kindness of other Goodwill employees transferring me to people who were better suited to help me, I found my way to Randy (Wooden) at the Professional Center. My phone meeting with Randy was what I had been hoping for in terms of assistance. He was knowledgeable, encouraging, patient, and gave me fantastic guidance on how best to tailor my resume and myself. The help and services I received from Randy and Goodwill’s Professional Center gave me the skills to face the current reality of what job search is like today and bolstered my confidence to put myself out there. This guidance took a daunting task and made it far more manageable, made me more prepared, and took a lot of the fear out of the process. In barely a month after meeting with Randy, I had found and secured a new well-fitting position! I feel that had I not taken advantage of the free services provided by Goodwill I would have been far less prepared in my search for new employment. I am very thankful for the opportunity to benefit from the guidance provided by Randy and the Professional Center and will forever be grateful that we have this help in our community!"

Goodwill is dedicated to supporting North Carolinians on their career journeys and ensuring that good, stable employment is achievable for everyone. So, we were thrilled to receive an invitation to Governor Josh Stein's Workforce Development Reception last month. Also in attendance were many Goodwill partners including community college presidents and staff, NCWorks, our workforce board partners, and more. Governor Stein shared his vision for the state's workforce efforts, and we were excited to learn about the support at the state level for resources that strengthen our local workforce and education systems.   We're hopeful that the future will bring great things for our local workforce!   Pictured: Sherry Carpenter, Chief Organizational Development & Mission Advancement Officer for Goodwill and Governor Josh Stein

It's time to tee up for success! 🏌️ Goodwill's 25th Annual Golf Tournament will take place on Thursday, May 8 at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons. Proceeds from the tournament benefit Goodwill's Outreach Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance and other resources to Goodwill program participants. We are accepting registrations through April 20, for inclusion in the 2025 golf program and May 1 is the final deadline. To learn more and lock in your registration for the tournament, please visit https://lnkd.in/exZNvVCS.

When Shea walked out of Western Correctional Center for Women on July 13, 2024, she wasn't just leaving behind her past; she was stepping into a future full of promise. After facing drug-related charges and larceny that led to her involvement with the courts since 2018, Shea's story has transformed into one of remarkable success. During her incarceration, Shea had enrolled in Project Re-entry, which supports justice-involved individuals pre- and post-release. Re-entry Specialist Sandy Thomas connected Shea with resources to support her once released. Through the Project Re-entry network, Shea secured health care coverage, received dental services from the Give Back a Smile program, and connected with an online support network focused on yoga therapy, each of which contributed significantly to her physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, Shea worked on restoring relationships with her parents and grandmother, providing her with emotional support and a renewed sense of purpose. Shea continues to tackle practical challenges head-on, such as reinstating her driver’s license and returning to school to expand her career prospects. As Shea builds her new life, she demonstrates that with the right support, resources, and unwavering determination, real change is indeed possible.

Looking for a job in skilled trades or distribution? Don’t miss this opportunity! Goodwill and NCWorks are hosting a Trade Skill & Distribution Hiring Event, connecting job seekers with 15+ employers, including: - Ashley Furniture - City of Winston-Salem - Fastenal - Fosters - Garner Foods - Graphic Packaging - Herbalife - Wake Forest University Facilities 📅 Wednesday, April 2 ⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM 📍 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem Come prepared with your resume and be ready to network! 💼✨

If you've been to our Mooresville store on Williamson Road, this should be a familiar face. JoAnn has been a great addition to our team, and our community in Mooresville is taking notice. In the last three months, the Mooresville store has received 28 Google reviews with 20 of them mentioning JoAnn's friendly and welcoming attitude as a highlight of their trip. Reviewers have described JoAnn as "helpful, knowledgeable, and very friendly." She makes a difference with one shopper saying, "JoAnn is definitely the most wonderful person in the world and seeing her here makes the shopping experience that much better!" If you get the chance to shop at the Williamson Road Goodwill in Mooresville, JoAnn and the rest of the team will be sure to make your day!

Did you know your Goodwill shopping and donating helped 3,500 people in northwest North Carolina last month? When you shop and donate to your local Goodwill, 87 cents of every dollar spent in stores directly funds our mission to help people achieve career success and financial stability. Some received skills training courses, and others worked on completing their high school degree, but they all received help thanks to you! We can't wait to see all we accomplish together in the month ahead. 💙

Thank you for supporting our reopening! 💙 It's been nearly two weeks since our Tunnel Road store in Asheville reopened after four months of being closed due to Hurricane Helene. Our hearts were warmed to see over forty people lined up outside in 22 degree weather ready to see what thrifted treasures awaited inside on opening day. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, our store was filled with a two-inch layer of mud, but now it's filled with our lovely community of thrifters. We're so grateful to our community of shoppers and donors for your unwavering support. Whether you shop or donate at our Tunnel Road store together, we're creating a brighter future for our community.⭐ ✨

Nickolas, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, came to Goodwill Veteran Services needing assistance with permanent housing and employment. He had been living in a shelter, but his time there was ending. With the help of Goodwill's Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), Nickolas got a two-week extension to find permanent housing. Nickolas worked diligently with Kim Noel and her team to develop a housing stability plan and stick to his goals. Goodwill connected him with several other resources, including HUD-VASH (Section 8 housing for veterans) and a Veterans Benefits Administration representative. The Veterans Benefits Administration visits Goodwill's Forsyth County Career Center monthly. They assessed Nickolas as 100 percent disabled, granting him full benefits, which allowed him to contribute to his rent. Since then, Nickolas has been able to get stable housing and obtain his driver's license. Nickolas continues to work with Goodwill Veterans Services to maintain his housing and accomplish other goals. Unfortunately, it is very common for veterans to be unaware of or unable to access the benefits that they have earned. Programs like Goodwill Veterans Services, SSVF, NCWorks, Veterans Bridge Home, and many other partner organizations can connect veterans to the Veterans Benefits Administration and other much-needed resources. *Nickolas chose not to share his photo at this time.

Arriving in America as a Haitian immigrant in the late 1970s, Marie faced countless obstacles. As an adult, she prioritized her eight children and worked tirelessly to support their futures. It wasn’t until she saw their successes – graduations, milestones, and accomplishments – that she realized her own potential had been waiting. Marie began to dream of something more for herself. In June 2023, with her youngest child graduating high school, Marie made a bold choice to invest in her own future. She enrolled in the Providence Culinary Training (PCT) Program in Winston-Salem, seeing an opportunity to reclaim the dreams she’d put on hold. Marie embraced her culinary education wholeheartedly. Her classmates, inspired by her drive and positivity, voted her "Most Outstanding" student. And last February, Marie graduated alongside her peers, marking a pivotal milestone in her journey. Not content to stop there, Marie continued with PCT's Barista 08 class, which she completed last March. Soon Marie’s dedication earned her an internship at Sir Winston Wine Loft & Restaurant in downtown Winston-Salem. That opportunity quickly led to a job offer, and Marie has been thriving as a team member ever since. Marie will tell you that she didn’t do it alone. She’s quick to credit the instructors and staff at Providence for their unwavering support, helping her build confidence and stay focused. Marie has redefined her own narrative, proving that it is never too late to rediscover your purpose.