Watch this powerful story of one man’s commitment to overcoming his troubled past and excelling at Goodwill.

Learn more about Candice’s remarkable journey to success as a Youth Participant at Goodwill.

We are thrilled with the staff Goodwill placed at our organization and love what they are doing. We saved time, money and a lot of trouble by partnering with Goodwill and now we know where to turn when we need to fill positions at our company.

–David Bloom Executive Vice President, Martin Outdoor Media, LLC.

When we needed to find the right talent to help run the organization, we turned to the pros at Goodwill. We were very pleased with their service. They took care of everything and the staff they placed for us is terrific! We wanted to do business with Goodwill because it felt good – now we do business with Goodwill because they’re good at what they do.

–Mitch Butz, Assistant General Manager, High Desert Mavericks

Advancement in business includes recognizing the role our business can play in our community and how it can empower other individuals. We value our partnership with Goodwill Southern California for helping us enrich our own communities. We have been amazed at the variety of services offered and the quality of Goodwill employees now working at our facility. We look forward to our shared commitment.

– Lanny Shirk, President, Triumph Structures -Los Angeles, Inc.

Bank of America is proud to partner with Goodwill Southern California’s career development and placement services that, in 2012, helped place close to 8,000 people in jobs in our region.

-Raul A. Anaya, President, Bank of America – Greater Los Angeles

A groovy chair!

Perfect for the comic fanatic!

Adam Bode served in the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class Damage Control aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from 2003 to 2008. He deployed to the Persian Gulf three times and completed one tour to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Bode’s specialties of service were firefighting, emergency response, and chemical/biological/radiological warfare defense.

When he returned home to Lancaster after his discharge, Bode immediately began looking for work. He struggled to find employment using the skill set he had obtained in the Navy and physical problems related to his service prevented him from pursuing a career as a firefighter. He decided to use the GI Bill and advance his education. He completed his AS at Antelope Valley College in 2010 then transferred to CSULA to pursue his undergraduate degree. He was hospitalized several times during that period due to service related medical issues and almost dropped out of school. Fortunately there was a strong veteran community on campus that assisted Bode; he graduates this Friday with a BS in Criminal Justice and minor in Philosophy Pre-Law.

Bode started his employment search in his senior year knowing that the job market was tough and he had more than just himself to worry about as he had recently become engaged. He knew he would have no source of income after school. He applied to over 100 positions and interviewed for two positions that would not have covered his expenses. Bode says, “I was at my wits-end and my fiancé and I were a few weeks away from being homeless.” He then remembered that Goodwill offered career assistance and employment programs. He contacted the Veteran Employment Program offices and, after his initial intake interview, enrolled in the program. Shortly thereafter a Business Services Representative position opened up within the program; Bode interviewed and was offered the job.

Now, as part of Bode’s focus, he works with veteran college students to help them prepare for and transition into civilian employment. He counsels students by identifying their professional interests and skills to help direct their educational emphasis and put them on a successful career pathway before they graduate.  And, he serves local businesses by connecting these talented graduates to job opportunities within their organizations. Bode helps veterans avoid the pitfalls of long employment gaps during the transition from college to career when many like Adam find their resources expire, and ultimately may battle with bouts of homelessness which can further impede their ability to secure employment.

Bode’s long term ambition is to become an attorney and help advocate for veterans. He has taken the LSAT exam as a first step towards reaching that goal. Goodwill is fortunate to have such a strong role model and determined individual serving our Veteran Employment Program and we proudly recognize Bode as our Veteran of the Year.

Sgt. Ruben Garza served as a drill instructor and tactical communications specialist in the United States Army for seven years; in Hawaii, Germany and other locations in Europe. After his discharge from service in 1983, Garza found it difficult to obtain sustainable employment.

“You go from having rank and leading others to being an average Joe. I thought my experience and seven years of service would be more recognized and appreciated when I returned home,” he said. Under-prepared to compete with civilian job seekers, and unsure of how to translate his military skills, he went years without a permanent job.  Garza began to give up hope.

Amplifying the stress of his job instability, Garza became a single father of three children ranging from 18 months to 9 years old. Garza worked wherever he could to provide for his family and with the help of his sister, was able to maintain a home for his children.

In October of 2008, Garza was assaulted and stabbed in a robbery. This left him unable to work as he underwent numerous surgeries and physical rehabilitation. Upon recovery in 2009 Garza visited his local California EDD (Employment Development Department) office where he saw a flyer for Goodwill.

Garaza attended several Goodwill funded workshops including logistics training, resume development, interview preparation, and individualized job development.

Upon completion of a logistics course, Garza was hired in the Trader Joes Distribution Center as a Warehouse Associate where he is currently employed full-time. We commend Ruben Garza for his perseverance and determination to succeed and proudly salute him as our 2013 Veteran of the Year.