Goodwill Program: South Boulevard JobLink

“When you are feeling down or at risk of becoming homeless, Goodwill provides a sense of hope. The resources were great. It opened the doors for us to become more financially independent.”

Unemployed with limited finances, Joseph Saldana and his wife, Carmen, had a difficult time looking for work after moving to Charlotte from Georgia.

At one point, their phones were disconnected and they did not have access to the internet at home.

Both turned to Goodwill’s South Boulevard JobLink for help. Joseph and Carmen used the resources at JobLink – phones, internet, the job posting board and the help of a career counselor – to find rewarding careers that could support their family of four.

Joseph landed a job shortly after with a company that provides technical support for cell phone users. Carmen obtained employment with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as a teacher’s assistant / lunch assistant before going to the YMCA, where she’s an assistant teacher working with children struggling academically.

The Saldana’s moved to Charlotte because they wanted a better place to raise their twin 9-year-old boys. The timing couldn’t have been worse, they say, with a tough economy – leaving them unemployed at the same time.

Carmen fist found JobLink. Joseph, a former school teacher with a degree in bilingual education, soon followed her lead after temp jobs proved to be unstable. Carmen says JobLink gave them “hope” during a difficult time.

“I have always had a job. Not having a job makes you very insecure. When you are feeling down or at risk of becoming homeless, Goodwill provides a sense of hope,” Carmen says. “The resources were great. It opened the doors for us to become more financially independent. With that comes emotional stability.

“Now, we are able to provide for our family and pay bills.”

 “JobLink’s doors are always open,” Joseph adds. “They have plenty of resources. If it weren’t for that, it would have been difficult to find work.”