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Donald's Story
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Goodwill Program: Employment Skills Training
“Goodwill helped me become more independent. All my friends say I’ve grown up since I moved out on my own.”
Donald isn’t shy about telling you how his job at Earth Fare changed his life. In fact, he says it’s the best job he’s ever had.
“I was excited when they hired me so I could make money and live on my own,” Donald, 23, says.
The Charlotte resident went through Goodwill’s Employment Skills Training and worked with a job coach to find a position bagging groceries at the South Charlotte specialty store. He has past experience with other retailers, but says his current job allows him to be himself by interacting with people.
“Earth Fare has treated me the best. They are very nice to me. I always like going to work no matter what. I love meeting different people,” Donald says.
At Goodwill, Donald learned to work with people and improved his interpersonal skills, which he says helped him tremendously.
“Goodwill helped me become more independent,” he says.
When he’s not working, Donald gets around town on his bicycle. He stays active working out and looks forward to playing basketball in the Special Olympics every year. The East Mecklenburg High School graduate is currently attending Central Piedmont Community College.
Finding out he was hired at Earth Fare was one of the happiest days of his life, he says. Not only did his parents take him out for a celebration dinner, but his dream of living on his own was about to become a reality.
“All my friends say I’ve grown up since I moved out on my own. I’ve been wanting to do that since I was 18,” he says. “I get to go out and do my own thing.
“Right now, I am a bachelor. I guess you can say that,” Donald jokes.
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