Today we will be shinning a spotlight on a very special individual that works on a contract we hold with the US Army on their base at Fort Detrick. Gary Lewis has been working on this base for over 9 ½ years as part of our janitorial team. With over 100 buildings and over 1,000,000 square feet of space to clean daily, these individuals have a lot of ground to cover! As you can imagine, teamwork and ownership is critical. The dedication and pride in the work this team performs is encapsulated in Gary.
Like all individuals that come to Horizon Goodwill for services, Gary had barriers to employment. When faced with a learning disability, the value of what you can offer potential employers is questioned. After struggling to retain competitive employment, Gary sought services through the ARC of Frederick County. Through our partnership with this organization, the ARC referred Gary to Horizon Goodwill to receive training for work in the custodial field.
After receiving training, Gary was placed on a job where he has flourished. Starting out there were struggles, but working closely with his supervisors, Gary was able to become a valued team member that can be counted on for doing a great job. Gary stated, “I enjoy helping people out and I make people feel comfortable. Anytime we need something done, I volunteer to do it”. Not only is Gary a great team player that produces high quality work, but he also has a smile that is infectious and is part of why he is so well liked and respected by the team. The project manager Shirley commented that, “Gary is a real pleasure to have working with our crews, he has a smile for everyone and will make you smile if you need one”.
Horizon Goodwill does so much to help so many. And there are so many more people out there for us to help! Sometimes it just takes that first step before you are able realize your full potential. This is why we are here. This is what Horizon Goodwill is all about. Removing barriers, creating opportunities.
Thanks for reading! Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments regarding the blog or what our Business Services division can do for you! bmarks@goodwill-hgi.org