“Goodwill changed my family’s life and now I can help change the lives of others.”

For many years Gloria was a single mother raising three children and working as a bilingual administrator at the US Department of Commerce’s office in her native Ecuador. When the office closed in 2003, Gloria had the opportunity to immigrate to the United States. “It was a difficult decision to leave Ecuador and my family, but I wanted my children to have better educational opportunities,” Gloria said.

In 2004, Gloria and her daughter came to Charlotte in search of a new life.  As soon as she found a job, Gloria would be able to send for her sons, who were still in Ecuador with their grandparents. Friends in the Latino community suggested Gloria go to the South Boulevard JobLink Career Center for help in finding a job. Goodwill is manager of the of the South Boulevard JobLink.

 A career development specialist reviewed Gloria’s resume and suggested that she apply for a position as a bilingual career development specialist at Goodwill’s Job Connection on Freedom Drive.  Gloria interviewed and got the job.  However, she needed a car to fulfill her new job responsibilities. 

Goodwill’s Cars for Work Program matches donated vehicles with individuals in need of transportation to maintain or improve their employment.  Gloria applied and was matched with a car.   A few months later, Gloria drove to Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport to meet her sons who were arriving from Ecuador just in time for Christmas. 

“My family’s life keeps changing for the better,” Gloria says. Her children are doing well in school, and her sons are working at part-time jobs and looking forward to attending college. In 2005, Gloria was honored at Goodwill’s Annual Cornerstone Awards Luncheon for her significant accomplishments in changing the life of her family and impacting the lives of the Latino community at the Freedom Job Connection. 

“Goodwill helped change my family’s life and now I can help change the lives of others," Gloria said.