At the age of 22, Candice Fedrick is no stranger to adversity. The third of eight children, Fedrick began preparing meals and looking after her five younger siblings at a young age, while her single mother worked.
Fedrick’s mother did the best she could to provide for her children, but they still struggled. Fedrick and her family were chronically homeless and often times slept in the car. When they were not homeless, a stable environment was still elusive. Moving every six months or so, they stayed in dozens of apartments and with any extended family member they had. Child Protective Services were called to their home and school several times throughout Fedrick’s childhood and the children were often placed in foster care until their mother could regain custody.
At age 18, Fedrick became pregnant and moved in with her boyfriend at the time. In her eighth month of pregnancy, Fedrick’s boyfriend became very abusive and controlling. She eventually moved out and was temporarily forced to live in her car until she decided to reunite with her mother and siblings. Despite many challenges, now compounded by the difficulties of being a single mother, Fedrick was still able to finish high school and receive her diploma.
After high school, she wanted to go to college, but her family did not have the means. So, she decided to do what most people in her situation do and began to look for a job.
The impact of unemployment was significant. She was struggling financially to care for her family, which created a stressful home environment. Often times, Fredrick did not have money for gas and often needed auto repairs. In 2012, when her mother relocated to Texas, leaving Fredrick to care for her daughter and siblings full time, her financial burden swelled. She would often times go without food so that her sisters and daughter could eat.
Fedrick’s sister informed her that Goodwill was hosting a retail recruitment session at the Destiny Christian Center. There she met Goodwill Program Coordinator, Alaina Bigger. Bigger informed Fedrick about the WIA Youth Program in Victorville and encouraged her to sign up.
Fedrick enrolled in the WIA program on August 2, 2012 and will officially graduate from the program on June 30, 2013. In addition to completing the WIA work readiness workshops and attending several leadership activities, Fedrick has completed the Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide training programs.
She is currently working part time as a Certified Nursing Assistant with Knolls West/Desert Knolls Convalescent Hospital and volunteers with the WIA Youth Program. Fedrick remains focused on providing for her daughter and has set a goal to become a Registered Nurse. She also plans to reunite with her siblings, who have recently relocated to Texas to be with their mother. Fedrick is working towards gaining full time employment so she will no longer need to rely on state aid.
She says, “Goodwill helped me get a start. I know I will always have Alaina’s support and I know that I’m now equipped with the skills I need to find and keep a job.”
Candice Fedrick is a true success story who continues on her path to self-reliance and financial and familial stability. She inspires everyone at Goodwill Southern California to continue to fulfill our mission to transform lives through the power of work. Congratulations Candice Fedrick, our 2013 Graduate of the Year.
Think you can’t find the perfect holiday gifts at Goodwill Southern California? Even for your hardest shoppers? ABC7 stops by GSC with Sasha Itzikman to find the perfect holiday gifts, even some unique treasures.
Shop at Goodwill SoCal today!
This mini documentary spotlights Candice, a 22-year-old who was living in her car when her sister encouraged her to learn more about Goodwill’s job training programs. After participating in one of these she was able to find a job as a nurse’s assistant and support herself and her daughter.
Shay left her home in Washington, DC after her divorce to start a new life for her children. Watch as Shay gains a new life, a new house and new hope for her and her family with help from Goodwill. What does your family mean to you?
Monique had a a passion for baking from early on. Watch how Monique gained the confidence she needed to achieve her dream with help from Goodwill. What dreams do you have?
Kevin found himself on his own from an early age. Watch Kevin as he starts his journey by unlocking his full potential with help from Goodwill. When have you fought for what you wanted?
Driving along San Fernando Road in Glassel Park, one can’t help but pass a long stretch of wasteland by the corner of Fletcher Drive. A home to pigeons and gulls, it seems only the birds are benefiting from so much space.
However, Goodwill Southern California has plans to transform the 135,000 square-foot former Kmart into a community amenity: they’re calling it the Community Enrichment Center (CEC) at Fletcher Square, a one-stop shop for what seems to be everything a community needs to thrive.
“We conducted a needs assessment and determined that our services and programs would benefit the community and surrounding areas,” writes Sasha Itzikman, Goodwill Southern California’s Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations. “The center will provide a space where we can deliver on our mission services, and our four cornerstones — empowering individuals, advancing businesses, enriching communities, and caring for the earth.”
Apart from offering career development, placement services, and technical skills classes, it will also double as a donation hub, a shopping center, a café staffed by Goodwill’s trainees, and an event space for community meetings and government agencies. It will also offer e-waste recycling, shredding, and document imaging services.
Planned with existing community agendas, such as the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan and the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, in mind, the center is looking to fill the needs of the Glassell Park neighborhood and beyond, to Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Cypress Park and Eagle Rock.
Located within half a mile of the Los Angeles River, the community center plans to complement the river’s bicycle and walking path by adding 30,000 square feet of landscaping and more than 100 trees. The non-profit is still working with architects on the final details of the campus.
Set to wrap up in the first quarter of 2014, the new location would not only be home to many Goodwill operations, but it would also open its doors to a handful of community groups willing to co-locate and collaborate in the sprawling space. Ideally, the partners Goodwill is seeking are focused on employment, financial literacy and educational services.
According to the needs assessment study conducted by Goodwill, the neighborhood has a low overall educational attainment. Though 29 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher, 46.10 percent of the population only have high school diplomas or less. The neighborhood’s median income, which range from $34,535 to $61,714, fares well against national poverty guidelines, but falls short when compared to a living wage guideline published by MIT that indicates any household of one adult and two children needs to earn over $56,000 to achieve a living wage. Given this new metric, almost 17 percent of residents experience poverty.
Crime is also a concern. Compared to national averages, the 17-square mile neighborhood observed by Goodwill experiences crime between 65 and 154 percent of the national average.
Goodwill’s community center aims to tip the scale in favor of the neighborhood. The new flagship location would provide between 75 and 100 jobs. It would also provide services at reasonable cost to hundreds each year.
Interested community partners can read more about the Community Enrichment Center here. The deadline for applications for co-location is December 2, 5 p.m.
Goodwill needs your donations to transform lives — not just for a moment. Not just for a day. But for good! We help thousands of individuals with disabilities and disadvantages prepare for and find (or get) good jobs. (more…)
Cozy Winter Fashions at Prices That’ll Warm Your Heart!
16835 Valley Blvd. . Fontana, CA 92335
Open Mon – Sat, 9am – 9pm, Sun, 10am – 9pm
Get ready to let your fashionista spirit run free as you shop our wide selection of deeply discounted, one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, homegoods and more at our new store in Fontana!
On opening weekend enjoy fabulous prizes and offers, including:
- 200 FREE ITEMS hidden throughout the store*
- $10 gift certificate for every $50 spent*
- A chance to win a new FLAT SCREEN TV*
* While supplies last. One free item per person. Offers only valid at the above location. No purchase necessary to enter drawing. Eighteen years or older.
Cozy Winter Fashions at Prices That’ll Warm Your Heart!
1120 A South Hacienda Blvd., Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
Open Mon – Sat, 9am – 9pm, Sun, 10am – 9pm
Get ready to let your fashionista spirit run free as you shop our wide selection of deeply discounted, one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, homegoods and more at our new store in Hacienda Heights!
On opening weekend enjoy fabulous prizes and offers, including:
- 200 FREE ITEMS hidden throughout the store*
- $10 gift certificate for every $50 spent*
- A chance to win a new FLAT SCREEN TV*
* While supplies last. One free item per person. Offers only valid at the above location. No purchase necessary to enter drawing. Eighteen years or older.
