Why Supporting Goodwill is So Important – Alyson’s Story
The story is commonplace at Goodwill, but it’s a story that needs to be told to our donors and shoppers. A single mom, “Alyson,” with two young boys wanted a better life both for herself and for her sons. Like all of us, at one time or another, she needed assistance. That’s when she turned to Goodwill and its WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Transition Services. When Alyson reached out, she was balancing working as a home healthcare aid with GED classes at the Moonlight Coalition for Adult Learning.
The role Goodwill plays in these cases is removing barriers, acting as a resource for referrals, and most importantly, providing case management. It’s having someone in your corner that makes all the difference. She enrolled in our program in July of 2022 and less than two months later successfully graduated with her high school diploma. Through Goodwill’s program she continued to receive case management services and assistance in removing barriers. With this support, she was motivated to continue her education and earned her CNA certification through Illinois Central College in 2023.
Today, she is working on her LPN and thanked Goodwill for helping her get this far. Alyson told her case manager, “I want to thank you for keeping me focused on my goals because I was getting sidetracked with life.” All of Goodwill’s services are free thanks to its shoppers and donors. Goodwill of Central Illinois is an important resource to the people of Central Illinois. This is why shopping and donating is so important.