At Goodwill, every donation changes lives. We use the proceeds from donated items to fund Goodwill’s job training programs and career services for individuals facing barriers to employment. Our goal is to end the need for charity by providing long-term solutions, not handouts. Thousands of success stories prove the difference we make, one life at a time.
Denise Becomes CDL-B Certified!
At age 42, Denise was interested in a new career and aspired to follow in her cousins’ footsteps in the prospering trucking industry…
Students Travel Thousands of Miles to Secure a Better Future
Given the various barriers to a better life for migrant students, camaraderie and community at Helms is what often keeps them going…
Sekou Learns English and Gets a New Job
Nearly a year ago, Sekou arrived in the U.S. from West Africa, feeling lost and unsure where to start. But his excitement to learn English drove him to join ESL classes at the Helms Academy right away…
Jo Anne Proudly Passed All Hi-Set Tests
At just 17, Jo Anne made the brave decision to leave high school to work and provide for her family by babysitting the children of her mom’s friend. Though this path set her back academically…
Goodwill Gave Me Hope
Fresh out of an abusive relationship and hundreds of miles away from home, Jane* arrived at Goodwill’s Career Opportunity Center frightened and lacking confidence but ready to forge ahead…
Mrs. & Mr. Francois Learn English
Mr. and Mrs. Francois have been in the States for only six months but were eager to learn English, as they spoke only Haitian Creole and French. Their main goal was to understand the English language…
Tamika Gets Promoted
I am a recent graduate of Helms. Before getting my diploma, I was stuck in one position at work. Since I have received my diploma, I have taken two exams, and I have advanced to a…
Janiya Enrolls in Community College of Philadelphia
After completing my experience with Helms Academy, my life changed dramatically. A year ago, I never thought I would…
Amber Passes Her GED Exam in a 2-Month Span
Alone and faced with medical complications during pregnancy at age 16, Amber didn’t have much of a choice other than dropping…
Elbawati is Awarded an ESports Scholarship
Having faced mental health challenges and the aftermath of a concussion, Elbawati dropped out of high school in 2019 during…
Thelonius Scores the Highest in Math
Scoring the highest in Math, and having the highest overall scores, Thelonius was thrilled about the day. “I didn’t expect this; I’m glad that I came,” he said as he smiled widely…
Fischer is Accepted into Pierce College
61-year-old Fischer left high school to serve the military. Due to knee and back injuries, he could no longer do labor-intensive work. Fischer had not been in a classroom for over four decades…
Denilson Got His First Job at Goodwill
Born and raised in Haiti to a family of three, Denilson’s early life was marked by academic excellence and unwavering ambition. However, when the climate in Haiti became increasingly unstable…
Miriam Passes Her HiSet Exam
I became a single mom at age 15. When my son was born, he weighed less than two pounds and was just 12 inches long! There were some very scary days but he beat the odds…
