Goodwill Program:  Cars for Work 

“Getting a car from Goodwill brought us in out of the cold.”

Five years ago, Montega had a well-paying job, a car and a nice apartment that she shared with her young son, Anthony.  Then, a near fatal car accident changed everything.   Montega broke most of the bones on her right side and spent months in the hospital and a long-term care facility.  “The accident took away everything in my life as I knew it.” Montega said.    

While Montega was in the hospital, she lost her car and apartment. “We would have been homeless after I got out of rehab, except for friends who let us stay with them for a few weeks at a time,” Montega said.   “When we were able to move into Piedmont Courts, I was grateful to finally have a home of our own again.  Instead of focusing on what she’d lost, Montega became involved in the Piedmont Courts Resident’s Association.  As association president, Montega formed partnerships with human service agencies to bring services on-site to her fellow residents. She also volunteered at Anthony’s school and with Jacob’s Ladder.  

After seven surgeries, Montega returned to work and school. However, it was difficult to physically meet the demands of her busy schedule without a car.   Walking or waiting for a bus in bad weather was particularly difficult because the damp and cold caused her great discomfort.  “You never realize how much you need a car until you lose it,“ Montega said.  Then, a caseworker at Community Link suggested that Montega apply to Goodwill’s Cars for Work Program.   Montega smiles as she recalls the day in December she received the keys to her car.  “It was beyond joy,” she said.

Today, Montega looks forward to the future.  She loves her job at a catering service and looks forward to receiving her degree in culinary arts from Central Piedmont Community College.  “I hope to open my own café within the next several years,” Montega said.   Montega also continues to be a tireless volunteer at church, PTA and Jacob’s Ladder.   Because of her significant contributions at Piedmont Courts, Montega was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Commissioners of the Charlotte Housing Authority.

“This car is allowing me to reach out to others in the community,” Montega said.