Horizon Goodwill Industries
“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’ve been working basically all my life, and I’m feeling my age. I like working, but comes a time when you just want to sit back for the rest of your life that you have on this earth.” (More)
After some time spent away, or on a ‘vacation’, as David likes to call it, he found himself lost, not knowing what his next steps would be; he did not know how he would survive. When he was released
from the detention center, David, with only the clothes on his back and no place to sleep that night, went to Gatekeepers. Gatekeepers is a reentry program based in downtown Hagerstown. David also stopped by Horizon Goodwill Industries (HGI) for our hot breakfast program. In his conversation with staff, David shared that he did not know where he would sleep that night, and the staff helped place David in a hotel from day one.
“Because of Goodwill, I didn’t have to be on the streets.”
David took a few days to adjust to his new reality and then got to work establishing the skills that he would need to reenter the workforce. David enrolled in the Heavy Metal Playground’s Heavy Equipment Operator Certification Program. During the 4-week course, David was able to work heavy machinery developing the skills needed to work in this field.
“I learned a different skill that can lead me to other opportunities, it made me feel important, like I was going back to school, Paul and Mark at Heavy Metal Playground are good, patient people, I am not going to waste this opportunity”
The partnership between HGI and the Heavy Metal Playground creates the opportunity for those with a barrier to employment to access the Heavy Equipment Certification Program at no cost to them. This is supported by Washington Businesses and Community Members.
Please consider making a donation to support this initiative using this link.
Not just a success story but one of inspiration. We are proud of Marvin, one of our Get Onboard! Job Training graduates, who was dedicated to moving his life forward!
I have had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Horizon Goodwill Industries. In my tenure I have worked as a colleague, and at times done third-party-quality-assurance checks to ensure program compliance. Through all of my interactions with Brandon Marks, Lori Livingston and Cindy Weaver I have seen, firsthand, how truly committed HGI is to its mission as well as its day-to-day duties of ensuring customers are 100% satisfied with the level of service they have received. I can say, without hesitation that I have nothing but the utmost faith in Horizon’s ability to perform its work above and beyond customer expectations. On the rare occasion that work did not live up to my expectations, HGI fixed issues, timely and most importantly, always with a smile on their faces and never made excuses. Finally, and I think most importantly, it is clear that Horizon Goodwill truly values its people. I am aware that Horizon Goodwill Industries offers competitive wages and benefits in an industry that is generally known for being tight fisted. Through my work I have learned what exceptional work Horizon does from top to bottom. I fondly look forward to seeing what exciting things Horizon will do next!
Tierra is now employed full-time with Goodwill in our Production and Processing department. “When you have a job it keeps you occupied, you don’t think about trouble. You have something to wake up to. I didn’t think I would ever get my record expunged. With Goodwill and LEAP, I know now you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Berry Plastics has enjoyed a long standing partnership with Horizon Goodwill Industries. Finding a labor force to meet our fluctuating production needs in our market is an ongoing challenge. The team at Horizon Goodwill has produced a turnkey staffing solution that we have relied on and have continued to grow over the past several years. The process is easy, the administrative support is very professional, and we feel we are truly in a win-win partnership. We are able to meet our production needs and they are able to fulfill their mission of putting people to work. I would gladly recommend Horizon Goodwill as a staffing solution.