Tatiana Williams had recently left a domestic violence situation and moved to a new apartment with her four young children, including twins. She was unemployed and seeking help finding a job so she could provide stability for her children.

“I knew about Goodwill because I always donated here,” Tatiana said. “But I didn’t know about the training programs.”

While most of Tatiana’s work experience had been in customer service, the Goodwill career advisor encouraged her to consider a range of options that would leverage her skills and experience. In addition to her years of work experience, she had valuable lived experience and deep empathy for others. She decided to enroll in Goodwill’s job training program for careers in human services.

The program — and especially the internship working directly with individuals with developmental disabilities — helped clarify her goals. After completing the program, Tatiana pursued roles supporting people with disabilities.

Today, Tatiana works full time as a career resource specialist at Work Opportunities Unlimited, helping individuals with disabilities find and retain employment. The role has brought financial stability for her family and increased confidence for her.

Marcus Joseph enrolled in Goodwill’s Developmental Services program in Boston a number of years ago. From the start, he worked closely with his case manager and participated in job-readiness classes to build skills and confidence, with the objective of moving into competitive community employment.

Marcus gained hands-on experience through paid work as part of a crew at Goodwill’s retail distribution center. There, he performed a variety of tasks and learned work skills such as following directions, taking responsibility for tasks, coordinating with others, and meeting objectives. “I learned a lot working at Goodwill,” Marcus said.

Over time, as Marcus gained skills, he grew more confident and began to envision working independently in the community. He reached an important milestone when he was hired on a per diem basis as a Dietary Aide at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a Goodwill employer partner. He soon transitioned to a regular five-day-a-week schedule. One of his main responsibilities is delivering meal trays to patients.

Today, Marcus is a valued member of the hospital team. He is known for his positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn. His case manager continues to touch base with him regularly to provide encouragement and help him address any issues that might arise.

William Callahan was introduced to the world of work when he was
in high school and attended the School to Work program for special
needs students at Goodwill’s Pioneer Valley Job Training Center.

After completing high school, he chose to enroll in Goodwill’s
Developmental Services program where he was able to build life skills
that helped him be more independent and then turned to learning the
skills needed for a job.

William now participates in classroom training, group volunteer activities in the community, and paid work as part of a crew in Goodwill’s retail enterprise. These experiences have allowed him to learn workplace routines, gain experience taking responsibility for tasks, and engage as a member of a team. He particularly enjoys going with his peers to volunteer at the United Way Pioneer Valley food pantry.

Recently, William took a significant step when he worked with his case manager to secure his first independent, competitive job. He was a janitor at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) that takes place in West Springfield in the fall. With his case manager’s encouragement, he was able to arrange a schedule that allowed him to travel to and from the site independently using
public transportation.

Today, William is proud of how far he has come and is focused on getting competitive, year round employment.

Joseph Walters, a young adult living with his parents in Lynn, is a participant in Goodwill’s Developmental Services program at the North Shore Job Training Center in Beverly. The program is helping him prepare for the world of work.

Joseph started by learning important life skills like appropriate ways to interact with others, money management, and time management. Then he moved on to learning the skills needed to be a successful and dependable employee. Now Joseph is participating in paid, on-the-job training as part of a Goodwill mobile work crew at Tropical Products in Salem, where he labels and organizes products. He is working toward obtaining independent work in the community.

Earning a paycheck has made a difference in Joseph’s day-to-day life. He takes pride in managing his money and being able to purchase the things he needs. “The staff at Goodwill has really helped me. They have trained me to be a good worker and taught me how to budget and be more independent,” he said.

Karol Aponte, a mother of three living in Roxbury, was at a crossroads in her life. She was struggling with the financial strain of supporting her family on transitional assistance, which was affecting her mental health. Determined to create a better future for her family, she discovered HELP, Goodwill’s Human Services Employment Ladder Program, through the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance.

Karol had experience as a personal care attendant and working in human services appealed to her passion for helping people. It is also a field with
plentiful jobs, good wages and benefits, and advancement opportunities. She graduated from the HELP program and is now working as a residential counselor at Vinfen, providing care and companionship to seniors with disabilities.

The job has brought her greater financial independence and the ability to support her three children in ways that were previously out of reach. “My children are happier now,” she said. “We don’t have to worry as much about how much we can spend or whether bills will be paid on time.”

Jonathan Vaval, a resident of Mattapan, was ready for a career change. He wanted a position that would allow him to work more closely with young people and make a lasting impact. That’s when he turned to Goodwill Boston Career Center for guidance.

“At Goodwill Boston Career Center, they genuinely cared about helping me find the right path,” Jonathan shared. The Goodwill staff helped Jonathan refine his resume, hone his interview technique, understand the labor market, and identify employers of interest. One of the jobs he identified was a crew supervisor position at Roca, an organization supporting at-risk youth. Jonathan submitted his application, went through the interview process, and got the job.

Now Jonathan is mentoring young men, teaching them job skills, accountability, and leadership. “Goodwill Boston Career Center supported me every step of the way,” he said. “Thanks to their guidance, I’ve found a career where I can truly make an impact.”

Rosa Moulan came to Goodwill’s Developmental Services program in Springfield right after high school and reached a milestone last year when she started to work in a regular position as an associate at the Goodwill store in Chicopee.

At Goodwill’s Pioneer Valley Job Training Center, Rosa, a Springfield resident, participated in classroom and community-based training and then gained on-the-job training experience working at Goodwill’s distribution center and on mobile work crews.

Rosa was excited when she was hired for her first competitive position in the Goodwill store, working in housewares and donations. Initially, transportation was a challenge, but with Goodwill’s help, Rosa secured reliable door-to-door transportation, allowing her to commute independently.

Through Goodwill, Rosa was able to access the training and support she needed to grow personally and professionally and to move successfully into the workforce. This has given her greater independence. She commented, “It feels good to get a check. Goodwill is my first real job.”

Renel Fils-Aime left Haiti due to the violence and instability and arrived in Boston in 2024 under temporary protected status. Renel chose Boston for its reputation as a city of opportunity and growth and is living in Dorchester.

Renel was committed to working and secured work authorization as soon as possible. He connected with Goodwill Boston Career Center and enrolled in the First Step Program, which offers training in essential work readiness skills, including job search strategies, professional behavior, and workplace dependability. With the support of the career center, Renel secured his first job in the United States as a security officer with Unconquerable Security Solutions.

Renel’s job has given him a sense of hope for the future. His family remains in Haiti and he regularly sends back money. “This opportunity has changed my life,” Renel said. “I feel proud to support myself and work toward a better future for my family.”

John LaBombard is proud that he was a Six Flags team member for two summers, and that he was promoted at the amusement park in recognition of his outstanding performance.

John is a participant at Goodwill’s Springfield Employment Supports Program, which prepares individuals with disabilities for the world of work. He participates in paid on-the-job training in the retail distribution center and is searching for jobs in the community with the assistance of the Goodwill staff.

Now that John has the valuable Six Flags summer work experience under his belt, he has set his sights on a bigger goal – competitive, year-round employment.

“I like that Goodwill helped me because they are an amazing team,” John said. “My ultimate goal is to work permanently and for a long time.”

When Linda Burston lost her job of almost 20 years, she was devastated. The Dorchester resident was all but certain she would not be able to find work because she was nearing 70. “I was depressed. Overwhelmed. I had anxiety,” she said. “How was I going to pay my bills?”

Linda came to Goodwill Boston Career Center, the one-stop career center Goodwill operates. She met with a career advisor and they worked together to find a training program that would allow Linda to develop computer skills, including Word and Excel, in order to be prepared for administrative jobs in today’s workforce.

At one point during the training, Linda went into a “deep depression” and was ready to quit, but the Goodwill staff encouraged her to keep going. “They believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Linda completed her training and secured a position at Pine Street Inn as a Behavioral Health Support Coordinator. Now 70, Linda loves helping others and helping them get the services they need.

“My life is just beginning,” said Linda. “If it weren’t for Goodwill I wouldn’t be where I am today.”  

Natalia Dotel came to the United States from the Dominican Republic for a better life for herself and her two children. 

The Dorchester resident enrolled in Goodwill’s Human Services Employment Ladder Program (HELP) in part because she had seen how others had helped with her autistic son. She wanted to be in a field where she was giving back.  

In addition to learning about the skills needed to work in human services, Natalia updated her resume, improved her job interview skills, and learned job search techniques in the HELP program.

Now, working as the Small Business Development Coordinator for Uphams Corner and Egleston Square Main Streets, Natalia approaches her job with the skills she learned at Goodwill.

“I can do my job because I know where I need to go for resources to help people in the community,” Natalia said. “The HELP program helped me achieve my goals.”

Jacy Galindrez has dreams and Goodwill is working with him to achieve them.

Jacy enrolled in Goodwill’s Employment Supports Program in Springfield where he lives. The program prepares people supported by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services for work.

Through the program, Jacy participated in on-the-job training in several positions in Goodwill’s retail enterprise in order to learn about the world of work and develop basic work-readiness skills. Then, with the help of his case manager, Jacy started applying for jobs in the community.

Jacy was excited when he landed a position working at the Big Y grocery store in West Springfield. He started as a porter, but after seven months he had already been promoted to Service Clerk. And he loves it.

“I like trying to make the customers happy,” Jacy said. “That’s the best part of my job.”

His recent success and renewed sense of confidence has Jacy thinking about the future. “I’m thinking about going back to school,” he said.

Kevin Bynoe is hopeful and looking forward to the future. He has a growing family and a good job as a cement truck driver for InTerra Innovation. It wasn’t always this way.

In and out of trouble with law enforcement since he was 15, Kevin had been incarcerated for 12 years when he came to Goodwill. He had limited job skills.

Working with the staff at Goodwill’s career center, Kevin secured a spot in a training program for a commercial driver’s license. It took him several tries to pass the exam, but he persisted and got a job at InTerra where he earns a family sustaining income. He recently became a father.

“When I came to Goodwill I was hopeful. I had an open mind and you opened the door for me,” Kevin said. “If I can turn my situation around, anybody can do it. I honestly feel like there’s nothing I can’t do.”