We envision a world where people with barriers to employment have the opportunity to reach their highest economic potential.
“Goodwill VSB Offers a Roadmap to Success!”
Delena Hernandez had always dreamt of a career in the medical field, but her path to achieving that dream seemed uncertain. She had recently completed her Phlebotomy Certification, a significant step toward her goal, but she needed help to turn her dreams into reality. Delena turned to the Youth Career Services (YCS) program at Goodwill Mission Services for guidance.
The YCS program offered Delena a supportive network dedicated to helping young adults like herself find their place in the professional world. She knew she had a long road ahead, and the YCS program offered her a roadmap to success. The program provided her with invaluable resources, including resume-building workshops and connections to potential employers.
But the support didn’t stop there. Delena was determined to make the most of her time in the YCS program. In addition to her Phlebotomy Certification, she completed the Financial Literacy and Customer Service Trainings, expanding her skill set and raising her chances of landing a great job. Through the Job Readiness Program, she crafted a polished resume and honed her interview skills with mock interview training.
Perhaps the most significant lifeline the YCS program extended to Delena was financial. Goodwill helped her secure $2,100 to cover her tuition costs, which minimized her financial burden. With this financial support, she was able to pay off the remainder of her Phlebotomy training and earn her certification.
Delena said, “I wanted to pursue a career in Phlebotomy and through the YCS program, I was able to have my full tuition paid, which took a big burden off my shoulders and allowed me to focus on school. Being able to have the guidance to be ready to go into my career has been such a great experience. Now that I am fully licensed in Phlebotomy, I know that I can count on Goodwill Mission Services to help me with updating my resume if needed and interview practice that will prepare me for my new career. I am so grateful for all the help and support I received from the Lompoc Goodwill staff.”
Delena’s success story was a testament to the power of determination and the value of programs like the Youth Career Services in helping young adults achieve their dreams.
“Starting the day with a smile and a kind word.“
Timmi came to Goodwill through the Department of Rehabilitation Program (DOR) two years ago, he needed some confidence building and practical skills so he could find a job. A Goodwill Employment Services Coordinator worked with Timmi to improve his resume as well as coaching him on how to interview well. It was discovered that Timmi had the skills to work in the warehouse and was hired by Goodwill to do general warehouse tasks such as sweeping and helping move materials.
It was soon obvious that Timmi could do even more. He was promoted to the E-Book department where he did a great job with a wonderful attitude. After some time, his commitment to doing above and beyond what is required was noticed by the ecommerce manager. Timmi was offered a new position in the eCommerce shipping department which he was excited to take.
In December 2022, Timmi was honored as the Employee of the Month. His supervisor, Mark Edward Litwinczyk, E-Commerce Manager, had this to say about Timmi… “I have really enjoyed watching Timmi embrace our team culture. Timmi was recognized as employee of the month for his consistent hard work, positive attitude, and his unwavering desire to reach his production goals.”
Every morning, an hour before his shift, Timmi pulls up to the Goodwill warehouse on his bright pumpkin orange scooter. He is early so he can enjoy his coffee and talk to the department manager about what needs to be done that day. As his co-workers start to arrive, he is the first to greet them with a kind word and a smile as they come through the door. Timmi says he is grateful for all that Goodwill has done for him. He said, “I come to work every day and I like what I do, and I like working with the people, they are nice to me.” He hopes someday to work his way up to becoming a supervisor… we think he can!
“In the 2nd Chance Program, Pablo found help.”
Pablo was born and raised in Oxnard California. Pablo’s parents were field workers who worked day in and day out to give Pablo and his brothers a better life than what they had known. Things for Pablo’s family were not easy, but their home was filled with love.
As a child, Pablo went to school, played soccer with his friends, and enjoyed watching sports of all kinds. He grew, matured, and did well in school. He graduated from Oxnard High school and by all appearances it looked like he was on his way to good things.
But… Pablo’s life took an unexpected turn when he turned 20, he was introduced to drugs. His addiction took over, everything became hard. He no longer looked forward to being with his family, the fishing trips with his brothers ended, he was too embarrassed to show his family who he had become, so he stayed away from them.
Pablo was arrested and sentenced to two years in a state facility, and it was while he was incarcerated that his son was born. Pablo said that being in prison and not being able to hold his son was his lowest point. Then he realized that for the first time in years, he was sober, and his life could be so much better if he made the right choices going forward.
Once Pablo was released, he was determined to become a good man and a good father for his son. His agent suggested that he check out the programs that Goodwill had to offer. He now believes that with the help and encouragement he has found by being a part of the 2nd Chance Program, he can grow into a better father, a better worker, and a better man than he ever thought he could.
Pablo now looks forward to fishing trips with his brothers and being able to one day bring his son along too.
“Goodwill Youth Career Services has opened so many doors for me.”
I came to the Youth Career Services program in 2019. I had just had my second child and moved back home to Lompoc after being out of state. I was ready to get back on track with continuing my education and working after having to give up everything I had built in Mississippi.
When I moved back to Lompoc, my cousin, who had been part of the Transitional Jobs Program through Goodwill Mission Services, referred me to Goodwill and they let me know about the Youth Career Services program. I attended an orientation and was enrolled.
Once I came to the program, everyone was friendly and eager to assist me attain my goals. I was able to go through Customer Service training and receive certification. They helped me create a professional resume that is easily updated, assisted me with mock interview practice, and taught me and how to search for jobs that fit my skills. Youth Career Services was also able to help me with interview clothing, work attire, and transportation assistance that was much needed while trying to get back on my feet. I was able to obtain and complete my Paid Work experience at Hinshaw Insurance Agency where I learned a new set of skills in office work. Although my employer was unable to hire me at the end of my work experience, he provided me with a letter of recommendation and trained me with a new set of skills that could be used for future employment.
Youth Career Services has opened so many doors for me. My work experience gave me the skills I needed to be able to work in an office environment. It helped me with the motivation to go back to school to obtain my paralegal degree. I will be obtaining my associates degree in paralegal studies this year, and hopefully start Law School. It opened new doors and helped me get my foot in the door of my current job as a Legal Office Professional with the Public Defender’s office in Santa Maria, which is giving me on-the-job experience while I work towards my goals. I’m very grateful for Goodwill Mission Services.
“Goodwill helped me land my first job.”
Evan was a Youth Career Services (YCS) program participant. Evan became part of the program because his mom met with a Goodwill YCS Counselor at a Goodwill tabling event at the Old Town Market in Lompoc, and she signed him up to be contacted. When Evan came to the YCS program, he lacked the drive and confidence needed to go out and find employment. He was very shy but articulate. He had never worked before and was unsure where to start. Evan had a clear career goal of becoming a filmmaker but also understood there were not a lot of job opportunities in that field in the Lompoc area. His YCS Counselor discussed in depth other job opportunities he might be interested in. Evan is an Eagle Scout through The Boy Scouts of America and had worked as a camp counselor for four summers in a row guiding and mentoring youth. Evan decided childcare was something he had always been interested in and he enjoyed working with youth. He worked with his YCS Counselor to complete activities, create a resume, and practice interview skills, which helped him gain the confidence he needed to start work experience at the Lompoc YMCA. Shortly after completing his volunteer work, he was hired by the YMCA as a group leader.
The Lompoc YMCA appreciates how enthusiastic and passionate Evan is about working with children. He has been a tremendous asset to the team at the Lompoc Valley YMCA. The YMCA stated, “having Evan on the team has been an amazing privilege!” Evan said the YCS program helped his confidence with even wanting to go to work. Through the Youth Career Services Evan was able to get the job readiness skills that he needed to be confident and successful on his new career path. His YCS Counselor stays in touch with him on a regular basis. He is very happy with his job and thankful for the opportunities he received through the YCS program.
We believe that every individual has value and that by recognizing that value,
we can help them find their place in the community.
“I’m grateful for Goodwill because they gave me an opportunity when I needed it the most.”
Michael was a dedicated caretaker for his father who was a stroke survivor; he lived in a home in Malibu with his sister, his sister’s children and beloved dogs. Unfortunately, his home burned down during the 2018 Woolsey Fire. After the natural disaster, Michael found himself living in a tent in Lake Balboa due to difficulty finding housing. He was rejected from multiple apartments due to not having a steady source of income. It was then when Michael decided he would have to find a full-time job in addition to still providing care for his family.
The reality was that finding employment with a 10-year gap was extremely difficult. Luckily Michael was referred to the National Dislocated Worker Grant, a federally funded program aimed to assist people who have been affected by the Woolsey Fire. The program was ideal for Michael’s situation; he was personally affected by the fire in addition to being considered long term unemployed. He made an appointment to meet with the Case Manager and was offered a temporary position as a Crew Member.
As a NDWG Crew Member, Michael was the ideal employee! He was punctual, dedicated and always willing to offer a helping hand. With his new job he was also able to rent an apartment for himself and his family. Although he did not have a car, he was always the first Crew Member to arrive on his bicycle always prepared for work. In October of 2019, Michael successfully completed the Temporary Job portion of the NDWG program. He then received Workforce Development assistance in order to find a permanent full-time job. Michael is now a full-time eBooks Clerk in the Goodwill warehouse where his outstanding work-ethic is recognized by many. Goodwill has been a part in Michael’s achievement in finding a home. He has expressed his gratitude for Goodwill and hopes to give back by working hard and growing within the company that has gave him an opportunity when he needed it the most.
“I am so grateful for the support and opportunity that Goodwill has given me.”
Lisette was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She grew up with a loving family but at times lacked guidance and support. After high school Lisette started attending community college and worked part-time. Unable to afford school, she dropped out, and went to work full-time.
Yearning for the opportunity to learn a skill, travel, and grow as an individual, Lisette enlisted into the United States Navy at the age of 21. She became a part of the Seabees and joined the electrical construction team. She attended training school in Texas, and was then stationed in Port Hueneme.
The greatest gift Lisette got during her time active was her son. After he was born, she wanted to focus on being the best mother that she could be, so she decided to discharge. As a civilian, Lisette focused on being a mother but she also knew life wasn’t that simple. Knowing that she had to provide for her son, she re-enrolled in school and completed her degree in Psychology.
Lisette struggled to find a job after she graduated. One day while Lisette was at the VA Clinic she heard about Goodwill and the services that they provide for Veterans. Lisette contacted Goodwill, and she worked with an Employment Counselor, and shortly after she found a job as a Property Manager. Lisette was getting her life back on track she had a stable income, was able to provide for her and her son, balanced being a mom and work.
A few years later Lisette found herself unemployed. She remembered Goodwill and all the help and support that she received from them, and she came back in. Scott, our Program Manager, helped her with her resume and job search. While she was looking for a job, a position opened up for a Veterans Counselor at Goodwill. Lisette thought she was just coming in for a mock interview and found herself in a real interview for the position. A few days later Lisette got a call with a job offer.
Lisette has been part of our team for over six months and is grateful for the support and opportunity that Goodwill has given her. She is really excited to be able to give back to the community and those that come thru the program. She is looking to grow and develop personally and professionally with the organization.
We will continue to work toward an enlightened understanding and acceptance of people with barriers to employment in our community.
“I look forward to finding a position where I can feel reestablished in the community, and I know I can continue to count on Goodwill for guidance.”
Kevin was working as an Automotive Technician and Forestry Service Aid Worker for the Salvador Diororeo Property when he heard a great call of duty to be of service by joining the United States National Guard in 2008. Kevin was dutifully enlisted for six years and was able to put both his passion for service and mechanical knowhow to use as an Avionics Technician. Kevin loved his experience in the military. Unfortunately, as his contract was coming to an end, he found it difficult to obtain his honorable discharge due to a misunderstanding, which was followed by a legal battle with the United States Army.
After the military situation was resolved, Kevin moved from Northern California to Southern California to be closer to his mother and picked up regular work as a handyman. Sadly, his mother passed away soon after. While losing a family member is always difficult, Kevin’s loss was compounded when he found himself homeless, a scenario common among service men and women. Displaced and living out of his car, with limited access to a computer or cell phone, Kevin found it difficult to find work. To make things worse, he was then displaced by the Thomas Fire that ravaged Ventura County in December 2017. At the fire’s emergency evacuation center, however, he heard about Goodwill’s Operation GoodJobs program that helps veterans find employment.
Kevin met with Goodwill’s Case Managers who assisted him in receiving benefits, updating his résumé, and gave him regular computer access and guidance to submit online applications. He came across the perfect opportunity to meet his employment goals and give back when he found the Center for Employment Training was creating a collation to administer a Southern Wildfires Temporary Jobs Program to serve the needs of individuals in wildfire impacted communities. Kevin enjoys working hard and being of service again but knows there is more work to be done since the wildfire relief program is temporary. He looks forward to finding a position where he can feel reestablished in the community and knows he can continue to count on Goodwill for guidance.
“Life changed in a very positive manner.”
Robert is a United States Army veteran that served from 1999-2002. Robert enlisted immediately after graduating high school, and welcoming his first child. He was looking for stability and an opportunity to develop his work skills and discipline.
After serving four years in the Army, and developing the discipline and work skills he was looking for, Robert left the Army. He started working in customer service at an AMPM convenience store, and was later promoted to assistant manager. After 10 years at AMPM, he decided to leave his job and started working part-time contract jobs. Robert started to struggle financially and decided to return to his home state of California.
Once he was back in California, Robert shared his struggles with a friend, and was referred to Goodwill. Robert came into Goodwill’s Lompoc Workforce office and learned about the services available to him as a veteran. Robert met with Candace, a workforce counselor, and gained the tools he needed to access employment.
Not long after coming into Goodwill, Robert was able to successfully gain part-time employment. He was hired at a local gas station, where his hard work and dedication was noticed and he quickly earned an increase in hours. For Robert, life changed in a very positive manner and he is able to provide for his family once again.