Success Stories

“I learned a lot of things. I learned when you come into the work place, you have to come dressed professionally. I learned how to multi-task, definitely, and I learned how to do time management. I learned what you are going to do when it comes to an office space job.”

– Alieu

“Because of this internship, I had a more productive summer. I turned it into a, ‘Let’s go to work and see what I can accomplish, regardless of the circumstances,” Alieu says about his five-month work experience with Goodwill.

“COVID has been pretty crazy, and Goodwill made it easier to get through.”

– Dominic

“Coming to Goodwill was very helpful,” Yonas said. “When I first came here, they were giving me bus passes and were trying to connect me with jobs. I was able to meet people, and I was inspired to go back to school.”

– Yonas

Yonas has always believed in education. He knows it’s central to the life he desires and the best way to impact society. Yonas’ parents instilled in him that belief when he was a child living in Eritrea, Yonas did his homework by candlelight so that he could one day make positive change in the world.

“I really like working with the people. It’s a really supportive environment. I wouldn’t still be volunteering if I didn’t really enjoy it.”

– Margaret Gomez

Margaret Gomez knows volunteering at Goodwill makes a tremendous impact. She knows because she was a Goodwill student herself at Goodwill’s King County Job Training and Education (JTE) Center.

“Goodwill’s mission of educating people, helping people be educated, that is what really attracts me in helping Goodwill”

– Irene

When Irene came to the United States from the Philippines, she found her fiance’s house full of old items he had accumulated. She decided to donate to Goodwill, and that’s when she learned about Goodwill’s free Job Training and Education (JTE) programs.

“I felt so comfortable at Goodwill. They were there to help, and I never really had that before. It’s all about encouraging and lifting people up. I can’t really explain the feeling, but when you feel it, you just engage with it. When I felt that, I knew I was going to finish.”

– Dominique

Dominique, with her 4-year-old son looking on, stood behind a podium and addressed a packed room of fellow Goodwill program graduates during a ceremony last summer at Seattle Goodwill’s Administration Building. Fighting back tears, she delivered an inspirational message of determination and hope.

“It’s a great feeling to plant that seed and see something grow. It’s interesting to think my life has been changed by Goodwill, and now I’m changing lives.”

– Brycen

Brycen was sitting in his high school manufacturing class two years ago when a presenter entered the room and began speaking about some extracurricular program. Brycen wasn’t paying too much attention. He thought he’d heard it all before.

“Goodwill acutally changed me life because finally I understood what I want to do.”

– Raniya

Raniya, who has been volunteering since October of 2016, first came to Seattle Goodwill to take free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at Seattle’s Job Training and Education (JTE) Center. Two months into her classes, she decided to volunteer, helping other English learners improve their speaking skill. At Goodwill, she discovered her passion to help others.

“Here (at Seattle Goodwill) is this forward thinking environment that breeds success, that sets these students up for success, and I am so proud to be a part of that.”

– Diana

Diana has volunteered at Seattle Goodwill for more than a year. She’s participated in job readiness workshops, offering her knowledge and providing fundamental career tips and advice. Diana and the Sip and Ship leadership team secured several raffle donations and volunteered at Goodwill’s 10th Annual Glitter Gala & Fashion Show. Diana’s also participated in Goodwill’s annual Thank-a-Thon where she connected with, and extended thanks to fellow Goodwill partners for their many contributions. ­