Watch Tommy’s story here.

At the age of 13, Tommy Rodriguez began to use drugs and made several other poor choices that led to numerous prison stays. Rodriguez admits that he felt hopeless; he did not care about his life or anyone else’s. He believed prison life was the only life for him and there was no way he could exist on the outside. This sense of hopelessness fueled his destructive behavior which led him back to prison each time he was released.

Rodriguez missed his mother’s golden years and he missed watching his two children grow up because of this revolving door of incarceration,. He also never had a job. Tired of this destructive cycle, he decided it was time for a new life. In 2012, Rodriguez qualified for and enrolled in Goodwill Southern California’s StarWORKS, a court approved job readiness program that serves ex-offenders.

Initially Rodriguez was hesitant to participate in the StarWORKS program, stating, “I’d try this out and if it didn’t work I’d just go back to prison,” a life-style that he was accustomed to. Upon hearing this, his counselor encouraged him to try the program and give it his all. Rodriguez returned the next day, and every day after. Through StarWORKS he attended job readiness workshops, professional development trainings, and gained paid work experience.

Rodriguez is now employed as a Technician with the Goodwill Southern California Facilities department where he exceeds the expectations of every assignment given to him. When Rodriguez was hired, he was quiet and soft-spoken but very eager to learn and take on new challenges. His new attitude and outlook on life have led him to become a productive and valued member of the team and everyone appreciates him. His manager says, “He has brought a positive and inspiring presence to the department. Simply put, he rocks!”

In addition to Rodriguez’s commitment to Goodwill Southern California, he is a full time student at the University of Phoenix where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. His long-term goal is to become a counselor. Rodriguez has recently begun to restore his relationship with his children and the rest of his family. He is thankful for the second chance Goodwill has offered him and has a new found desire to connect to his community through employment. He now believes, “this is the life I owe to myself.” Tommy Rodriguez is a powerful example of a life transformed through the power of work and we are very proud to recognize him as our Los Angeles Achiever of the Year and congratulate him on his hard work,  dedication and remarkable success.

Watch Candice’s story here.

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 eighthS 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.

Watch William’s story here.

As an adult, William Cox was diagnosed with a disability. This made it difficult to find sustainable employment and resulted in financial hardship. His counselor at the Inland Regional Center referred Cox to Goodwill Southern California. With no job and no family or friends locally, Cox had very limited social interactions outside of his weekly church visits. His IRC counselor thought Goodwill could provide a great opportunity for him to learn valuable vocational skills in addition to providing some social interaction.

In 2009, Cox joined the Work Activity Program (WAP) and was placed as a Trainee with the Computer Recycling division at the Goodwill Southern California San Bernardino Campus. Although he initially struggled, he was eventually able to master his job duties and began to excel in his position. Not only did Cox shine as a Goodwill trainee, he also blossomed into a social butterfly.

After just three months as a WAP participant, Cox parlayed his experience and social growth into a position as a Retail Trainee in the Goodwill Redlands retail store. His counselors and managers believed his newly acquired social skills would be a great asset to the store and the community. Once shy, Cox evolved into an out-going employee who went out of his way to make co-workers and customers happy.

Not only has Cox grown from his experience at Goodwill, he now mentors others in his own right. He befriended another participant who was very introverted. At home, this participant never came out of his room, not even for dinner; and at work, he rarely spoke to anyone. The two became friends and Cox helped to bring him out of his shell. As the friendship grew, he invited Cox over for dinner, and for the first time ate with a group.

Cox now likes to travel and advocates for Goodwill and its mission to anyone who will listen. Giving his own life as testimony for the positive impact of Goodwill, Cox illustrates how one’s life can be transformed through the power of work and the transformation continues as it is shared with others. Congratulations to William Cox, Goodwill’s 2013 Achiever of the Year.

Congrats to William on being recognized as Goodwill SoCal’s 2013 Achiever of the Year. Learn more about William’s heart-warming and inspiring story working at Goodwill.

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. But we can’t do it without you. Please, donate your gently used clothing, books electronics and home goods today and help transform someone’s tomorrow.

DONE para el Día de la Tierra y reciba un sandwich gratis*

Del 15-29 de Abril de 2013

Jersey Mike’s y Goodwill Southern California se unen para BIEN. Ayude a nuestro planeta donandole a Goodwill un bolso o caja lleno de sus artículos usados o nuevos, incluyendo los deschechos electrónicos. Ayuda a mantener nuestros vertederos de que se llenen. Y cuando traigas tu recibo de donación a Jersey Mike’s obtendrás un sándwich, bolsa de papas y soda gratis con la compra de un sándwich a precio regular.

*Aplican algunas restriciones. Nulo donde esté prohibido. Solamente recibos de donación de Goodwill Southern California entre 15 al 29 de Abril de 2013, puede ser redimido en localidades participantes de Jersey Mike’s para un sándwich, una bolsa de papas y soda gratis con la compra de un sándwich a precio regular. Una oferta por persona y por recibo de donación. Deber ser redimido antes del 30 de Mayo de 2013.

When you give at the register, or donate online,  your donations will go directly to helping U.S. veterans prepare for and secure sustainable employment. Through our Veteran Employment Program, we provide career assistance to veterans, many of whom have served or are returning from overseas.

With your donation of $5 or more, you will receive a Goodwill collectable wristband.*

Or text GOOD to 27722 to make a $10 tax deductible donation and the charge will be billed to your mobile phone account.**

Thank You!

*While supplies last.
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