Homeless and with a criminal background, Kada came to the South Boulevard JobLink looking for a job. He had bounced from city to city over the previous six years without finding any stability.
Kada was on a mission to start fresh – trying to erase a past that included “a bad drug habit” and the criminal background, which prevented him from getting a job and living independently.
“I was determined to prove to myself and others that I could succeed,” Kada said.
At the JobLink, Kada met Sue Korenstein, a Goodwill staff member. She worked with Kada on his resume and gave him assistance in preparing for a job interview.
To achieve his goals, Kada knew he had to make drastic changes. He started waking up at 7:00 a.m. and changed his appearance.
“I knew that all the powerful, motivating, life-changing words in the world couldn’t get me where I needed to be unless I applied it to my situation,” Kada said. “I realized it was about change so that’s what I did. I changed!
“In the past, I used to talk and dress like a thug. So, I got rid of all the baggy jeans I had and invested in a suit. I changed the way I talked and reacted to things. I knew in order for me to accomplish my goal of finding a job it was going to take a total makeover.”
With the helpful JobLink staff motivating his every step, Kada received a job offer from Otto Industries in Charlotte. Within a month, he had received a $2 an hour raise. Later that year, he was awarded the Otto Diamond Award for his outstanding hard work.
“This was the opportunity I needed to prove to myself and everyone that just because you made some mistakes in your past, if you work hard and stay focused that you can be successful,” Kada said.
Today, Kada is a Goodwill success story. He is employed. He has his own apartment and car, and is on the road to a successful future. Kada was recognized as a Good Work! Award recipient at Goodwill's 2008 Cornerstone Celebration. Click here to watch Kada’s award presentation.
What’s next for Kada? He is pursing a civil engineering degree through classes at Central Piedmont Community College.
