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“Every morning I read the letter I wrote my daughter when she died. It’s what keeps me going.”

Watch Johnny’s Story Here.

When Annabel was 5 1/2 months old, she became sick, so Johnny and his wife took her to the doctor. They got some medicine and went home, but she worsened through the night. The next morning, they returned to the hospital and received devastating news — she had pneumonia.

Annabel passed away that afternoon.

“Losing her, I just felt unaccomplished, like I failed in so many aspects as a father. I should have been able to protect my daughter.”

Soon after her death, Johnny lost his position in the military. He and his wife divorced. He was incarcerated and, for a period of time, homeless. Johnny sought help from veterans programs over the years, but with little success — there were so many veterans out there, it was easy to get lost in the shuffle. And, he still carried the guilt of his daughter’s death.

At Goodwill, he met specialists who understood his past. He participated in an employment program that provided the guidance and structure he needed. “Now that I’m at Goodwill, I have a support system.”

Goodwill’s Veteran Employment Program offers skills assessments, one-on-one career counseling, employment preparation courses, educational and technical skills classes, and work tools, as well as access to a host of other partner services. 

When you Donate to Goodwill, you are helping veterans prepare for and secure meaningful and sustainable employment. $50 provides someone in Goodwill’s Veteran Employment Program with resume preparation, interview workshops and on-the-job training. 

Thank you. Your donation helps Transform Lives through the Power of Work.