Success Stories

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

Jennifer knows a thing or two about overcoming addiction. More than once, she has recognized it in herself and used that as motivation to make a change. Now 10 months sober, it’s Horizon Goodwill she credits with giving her the opportunity to get her life back on track.

“I’ve struggled with addiction on and off all my life. I’ve pretty much got myself finally free from that, I believe,” she said in a recent interview. “I rebuilt my life. At one point I didn’t have an apartment, job, or a car and I have gained all that back from myself.”

The Cumberland native didn’t have the easiest of childhoods, her mother suffered from schizophrenia. Despite the difficulties at home, however, she graduated from high school, marrying in her senior year.

“Somehow, I managed to do that. I don’t know how, but I did,” she explains. “I got married in high school. That was pretty much another downhill for 20 years.”

While others pursued their post-high school dreams, Jennifer’s goal was to take care of her family.

“I became pregnant a year and a half after the marriage. We just started the family, and I pretty much was home with the kids while he worked,” she said.

Drugs became a form of self-medication.

“In my 30s, there was cocaine and prescription drugs. I’ve been free from that for 13 years,” she explains, saying it was ending up in jail that was the final straw. “That was just jail — it was the county, but it was long enough.”

It was that same self-awareness that led her to seek treatment for alcohol addiction. That meant stops at the Massie Unit, an addictions treatment facility for adults, and the Allegany House, which helps individuals re-adjust to society without dependence on substances.

Through all her struggles with addiction, she has had the self-realization to change the path she was on.

“When it came to the alcohol last year, I just knew I was a wreck and I had to go get it under control. I put myself in the Massie Unit, then I went to the Allegheny House for further treatment,” she said.

It was that decision to seek treatment that ultimately introduced her to Horizon Goodwill.

“I met a couple of goodwill employees while I was there. They became my case managers and helped me through,” she said.

Jennifer worked a training period at the La Vale Goodwill location. The work helped her get back on her feet, including giving her the ability to move into her own place.

“It was a fantastic experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity, it got me back into the workforce,” she said, something she couldn’t find elsewhere. “Because honestly, through all of that, I had charges, so I couldn’t get nobody to hire me whatsoever because of that open case. Finding employment was really hard for me.”

Those charges were later dismissed and thrown out, she explained, but “that didn’t take away from a year I couldn’t get a job because of it.”

Her training at Goodwill gave her a foundation to build on. Now she is an inspector at Berry Global, a local plastics fabrication firm. Plus, she can spend time focusing on her four adult children.

“Boy, girl, boy, girl. I have two generations of kids. My first two are in the 30s and the second two are 21 and 18 now,” she said.

And now, there is a grandson, too.

“Right now, what I am looking forward to, is taking my children to the beach this summer. That’s my biggest goal other than getting my transportation back. Just continuing to get back the things I lost,” she said.

All are goals that may not have been possible If she hadn’t the strength to recognize the pattern of addiction and sought the treatment that introduced her to her case managers at Horizon Goodwill.

“I’m just thankful and grateful for Horizon Goodwill for giving me the opportunity to start proving myself again,” she said.

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

After breaking away from an abusive relationship, Mary, a single mother of two, had a home, a car, and a well-paying job that helped her put a little money aside for her family.

Then came COVID-19. Suddenly, it was impossible to be both Mom and keep her full-time job — she had to be home with her children.  

“The bottom dropped out. I had a great job and had to give that up. Unfortunately, I was denied unemployment. With schools closing, childcare was closed as well. So, finding someone to watch the kids up and go to work was a huge issue,” she explains. “Going in and telling them I can only work the hours my kids are in school, to be able to find something like that was a needle in the haystack, to say least. Everybody wants nights and weekends.” 

To add to her difficulties, her car broke down, and because she rented privately, she was not protected when her landlord asked her to move out so that a family member could move in. 

“I took what money I had saved up and stayed in a motel for $500 a week for three months,” she said. 

When the money ran out, and she was forced to go into a shelter for two months, and when that didn’t work out, the family slept in the car for a month. 

Finally, she was able to get placed into a home and get the kids in school. That was when the school social worker suggested she contact the Martinsburg Initiative, which brought her to the attention of Horizon Goodwill.  

“Full disclosure – when I got told about it and I went for my interview, I thought they were going to have you work in the store. I had been told that some of the circumstances for going through the program were people that don’t have job experience or have gotten into some trouble and now they’re getting back on their feet,” she said. “I was like, I’m none of those things. But I’ve been disadvantaged in a whole other level, so I’m not gonna take it offensively and just go ahead with the program and see what benefits it could help me with.” 

In fact, her experience was far from what she expected. Her caseworker asked her about her experience and situation to better match her up with opportunities that fit her needs. She chose Blue Ridge Community and Technical College because of the flexibility it gave her regarding her kids. Within six weeks Blue Ridge took her on full time. 

“Christmas break I get all eleven days off like my kids, so it works out great,” she said. “When I came in through Horizon Goodwill, they were willing to work with my hours and my times — that really helped. Now that I am on full time, I was able to get the kids into childcare, and getting my full-time hours. I got benefits from day one.” 

Getting a full-time job and being able to pay for daycare was just what she needed to get her back on her feet. Most important, her caseworker was able to provide her with the ride to and from work during her first week when her car wasn’t running, otherwise, she would have never been able to start. 

“The bosses are great and everybody’s really nice — and it’s not hard labor. I’m not stressed out. Everybody’s friendly,” she adds. “This year has been very hard. But I was able to buy the kids presents and I’ve got gas in my car. I’ve been able to pay for the things broken in my car and pay off different bills. The good thing about when you hit the bottom is you can only go up.” 

After six months at Blue Ridge, she will be eligible for free tuition. She has plans to take advantage of that benefit to advance her education and her career. 

Mary thinks it is important to share what she called “a real success story.” 

“If you don’t share your story, then other people won’t be able to help themselves in their situations,” she explains. “When you hear about somebody else, then it gives you a little bit of hope that if things can turn around for them, then maybe things can work out for me.”  

 

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

James was always a hard worker, that work ethic was drilled into him in his youth. But issues with homelessness and drugs often held him back. Horizon Goodwill has brought much-needed stability to his life and is helping him plot a path to retirement.

“My father died when I was 10. But before he died, even as a teenager, I learned a lot from him,” the Baltimore native explains. “He was a working man. I remember that life was about to get better for all of us. But then he died.”

James then went to live with relatives. “They were aunts, good women. I learned a lot from them, too, especially as far as work ethic. I grew up in a good household, but like a lot of young guns, I strayed away.”

James left school in 11th grade, and after a stint in the National Guard, joined the workforce. While he enjoyed the work and it kept him busy, trouble was also brewing.

“My aunt had introduced me to a man. He was young, he had three children and a wife, and I was around 23. We were just starting out,” James says of the opportunity. “Most of my work came from him because I was a part of him growing his family business. It just took off. He carried me along for the ride, and I was constantly working, but then I started using drugs, and that’s all she wrote.”

Yet, despite the drug use, he didn’t abandon James.

“I started messing up, but he kept me working. I became homeless and I started going to drug rehabilitation, but all along he stayed there with me, even though I had a drug problem,” James said. “He tried to get me to start my own business, but I wasn’t there, you know? I spent a lot of years being homeless. I had multiple skills and did physical work. I used to love doing it. But all along, I still had a drug problem, too. I just didn’t get right.”

Still, he didn’t give up on James, and through his connections at the Wells House in Hagerstown, James twice found himself on the path to recovery.

He found staying on that path to be difficult, but then something changed.

“Two times, I came out and went back home, did alright, then messed up and was back on the street. I guess the last time, that time was the time because I’ve been okay for 12 years,” James explained.

That was when another friend, a woman who used to work for Goodwill, suggested he might find a good fit.

“I was hired at the warehouse. From there I started working for the janitorial crew. I’ve been with Goodwill ever since,” he said. “I love what I’m doing. It gets hectic sometimes, but I’m in a good spot. I have stability now, which I didn’t have before.”

“I guess they liked my initiative and how I worked. Whatever they asked me to do, I would do it,” he continued. “So, a supervisor position came up, and they made me supervisor, and I’ve been a supervisor ever since.”

James sees his life as a long journey, and he has learned something every step of the way. That helps him appreciate the opportunity Horizon Goodwill has provided. He enjoys the work and now, with a 401k, he sees a time when he can stop, enjoy his retirement and catch up with old friends.

“I’m 62. I’ve been working basically all my life, and I’m looking forward to four years when I can stop working because I’m feeling my age,” he said. “I like working, don’t get me wrong, but comes a time when you just want to sit back for the rest of your life that you have on this earth. Just enjoy life.”

 

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

For someone with special needs, it is all too easy to get lost in the public school system, but with the assistance of some local organizations and Goodwill, 18-year-old Matthew Walters has found his future wide open in his new position at Horizon Goodwill’s Lavale, MD location.

Just a short time ago, that future seemed much bleaker.

“Anger, and all that, they got my older brother in trouble and got me in trouble,” Matthew explained. But it also ushered in some much-needed change in his life.

“That was my sixth-grade year,” he continued. “I went to a school called the Jefferson, and they helped me control it.”

The Jefferson School at Finan, where he earned his high school diploma, is operated by the Towson-based nonprofit Sheppard Pratt Health System. The Jefferson School at Finan is a school for emotionally troubled children. Sheppard Pratt operates 33 psychiatric programs for children, adolescents, and adults in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

From elementary to high school, Matthew said he attended 13 different schools. The average enrollment at The Jefferson School is approximately 33 students, according to the Cumberland Times-News. Thus, allowing students like Matthew to receive the attention they need. There he had access to a doctor, and a therapist to see when he needed one.

After choosing not to return to his old school, The Jefferson School,  helped him gain access to The Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services, or DORS is an agency of the Maryland State Department of Education offering programs and services to promote employment, economic self-sufficiency, and independence to people with disabilities. It includes both a public vocational rehabilitation program and Disability Determination Services. Through that program, he received his high school diploma.

Living at home, Matthew worked a series of odd jobs around his neighborhood and worked for a time with his father as a roofer. Ultimately, thanks to an uncle who worked at a Goodwill warehouse, Matthew reached out for an opportunity.

“I started out scanning books there. Then they had me go into sorting through stuff they sent out to the stores,” he explains. “Or they had me going through clothes, to make sure they are good to send out.”

Matthew knew he was learning valuable skills, but in his short time there he was learning specific skills that he could use at the Cumberland store. His first week of employment has seen him in processing but chipping in as needed.

“I’m processing, but if they have short staff out here to put things out, they have me do it,” he said, adding he enjoys the work.

The work has Matthew feeling stronger and capable of finding a good job and a life-long career. And he’s already got a car.

“I do, but I don’t get my license and all that. I got the car, but I can’t drive it yet.”

In February, he plans to get his learning permit.

He may only have one week on the job, but he’s made a big impression.

“He’s done a great job, we’re very proud of him,” said Horizon Goodwill Industries Job Coach Lori Joy, “Ever since day one, every time I went back to check on him. He’s good. I talked to him, he listens, he’s great.”

 

by Christopher Six, Media Marketing Assistant

Much of Shawnee’s life has been a struggle. Lifelong difficulties with reading and writing have made it difficult to find and hold on to a job. But working as a cashier at Horizon Goodwill’s Shepherdstown location has truly been an exercise in removing barriers to create opportunity.

Originally from Fairfax County, in school Shawnee found herself in special classes she describes as akin to a sixth-grade level.

“My biggest problem is reading and writing. I can read better than I can write,” she explains.

“I can’t really write nothing because I don’t know how to spell — it’s a disability,” she continues. “I always had problems in school, (but they) didn’t address it back then. They had me in classes, but I don’t think they had the IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) back when I went to school.”

Regardless, Shawnee really didn’t want to participate, because she felt there were students in those classes who were in more difficult situations than she was.

“I was that age, you know, I didn’t want to be in there. So I skipped a lot, and then, when I turned 18, I quit like an idiot,” she laments. “I have dreams every once in a while that I go back to school. And I’m like, so old in my dreams, I always end up quitting.”

Life after school led to a succession of jobs, but her reading and writing difficulties often held her back. At one point, she recalls applying for disability, only to find her application denied as her condition did not qualify.

“It’s very hard for me to fill out paperwork and explain my learning disability,” she explains.

A recent move to West Virginia found her in a familiar situation — struggling to find work.

“I had a lot of things going on. I lost my license and lost my place to live,” she said. “Someone let me and my daughter live with them since Corona was going on.”

Ultimately, she received help via the West Virginia Jobs and Hope program, training that eventually brought her to the Horizon Goodwill Shepherdstown location, where she was hired in January as a cashier.

It’s a job that she likes, and she strives to be a dependable employee despite challenges at home, including family and health issues. Shawnee has a 32-year-old son and a soon-to-be 16-year-old daughter.

She takes particular satisfaction in her customer service skills, noting she receives compliments on how she interacts with shoppers. A lifetime of experience has prepared her well, and it’s work that plays to her strengths.

“I don’t have a lot of issues here because we don’t do a lot of reading except when we have our meetings,” she said.

And Shawnee takes pride in the store’s reputation.

“We hear every single day this is the nicest store around,” she said. “We always get complimented on our store, because we work hard in this store to make it look nice.”

After a year-and-a-half living with someone else, Shawnee now lives in Inwood, about a 30-minute drive from Shepherdstown. With a housing voucher in hand, she also has the option to get out of her lease when something becomes available. While two dogs and the crunch in the housing market have made that challenging, she tends not to look too far ahead.

“I don’t have any goals. Every time I make goals, they go down the drain, so I go day-by-day,” she said.

Still, Shawnee is aware of the opportunities that have come her way, particularly in the last nine months. While at first, she shied away from talking about Horizon Goodwill’s round-up program for fear she would get tongue-tied, she’s an advocate now.

“I ask just about everybody who comes to my register,” she explained. “If they ask, ‘well, what is it for?’ I tell them it’s to help the local job program — I went through it back in January and look at me now!”