“Heroin took over three long years of my life. It gave me a false sense of comfort, an escape from the loneliness and discomfort I felt.”
Luckily, Jessica was able to break free from her destructive behavior and entered a rehabilitation program. To stay clean, Jessica knew she needed to make some goals. “I needed a job. I had been trying to get a job as a barista but didn’t have the experience. Then a friend told me about the Barista Skills Program at Goodwill.”
She had found her niche. Jessica received the emotional support and friendship she needed from her program instructors and the other students. Besides learning the technical skills to become a barista, she also began to overcome her shyness by making casual conversation with customers. Working independently helped her become more confident.
Towards the end of her training, Jessica was encouraged by her manager to share her story at a meeting of Starbucks executives. One of the managers scheduled an interview for her at a local store and she was offered the job on the spot.
“I owe it all to Goodwill. They provided me with the tools I needed to be employable and confident again. They set me up for my future with a job, a plan and a positive outlook. If I ever get off track and lose sight of my goals, I can remember the inner strength I gained from my time at Goodwill.”