Goodwill Mission Stories

In September of 2014, an art exhibit featuring the voices of Milwaukee elders opened at City Hall. The “Islands of Milwaukee” combined three-dimensional art, audio recordings and live performances in a unique exhibit that shed light on the topics of isolation and human connection. One of the seniors highlighted in the exhibit was Angie, a recipient of Home Delivered Meals, part of Goodwill’s Community Services Program.

Given the harsh economic realities, it is not surprising that recent graduates are pessimistic about their ability to achieve the American dream. Many of them believed that getting a college degree was the ticket to success in the knowledge economy. And, compared with the college graduates of 10-or-20 years ago, recent college graduates are carrying higher debt levels due to the rising cost of a four-year degree.  Meet Sara. After earning a Healthcare Administration degree in 2013, Sara was unable to bridge the gap from college to career.

When first arriving at the Goodwill Workforce Connection Center, Constance was filled with uncertainty and doubt. Homeless and living in a place that provides emergency shelter services, she wondered if she would ever be able to keep a roof over her head and for her two young children, ages three and four.

Sarah is proud to say how much Goodwill has helped her on her journey to community employment and how Goodwill’s Supported Employment program continues to support her. Recently hired at the Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport Hotel and Conference Center as a dining room attendant, Sarah's job includes serving breakfast, setting tables, and cleaning the dining area, among other things.

When he came to Goodwill, Chris was shy, only sharing a word or two when people would talk to him. Though excited to work, he was nervous about meeting new people and being in his new environment.

The Goodwill mission inspires Jason.

Jason is the kind of person that any company would want as an employee. He is hardworking, dedicated, always striving to do his best and willing to help out his fellow employees.  

My name is Denise, and I want everyone to know that I love Goodwill! I graduated from Greenfield High School in 2004, and I liked how busy I was. I took classes, had friends and even had a small job as part of my special education program. But after graduation, there were no more activities for me.

Assistant Store Manager Tyneisha Stroud, or TY, as she’s known, served in the Air Force from 2001 to 2006, enlisting just after high school. Ty joined the military hoping to gain some direction in life. “I didn’t have the maturity or the focus for college right then and I thought the military would help me gain some discipline,” she remarked.

Assistant Store Manager Stephanie DeSimone’s husband Neil is someone to whom we owe our deepest gratitude for his service and sacrifice to our country. Neil enlisted in the Marines at 18, just after high school, embarking on nearly a decade long military career.  His military service would take him aboard USS Anchorage in Hawaii, as well as Camp Pendleton, CA and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA.