A groovy chair!

Perfect for the comic fanatic!

Adam Bode served in the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class Damage Control aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from 2003 to 2008. He deployed to the Persian Gulf three times and completed one tour to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Bode’s specialties of service were firefighting, emergency response, and chemical/biological/radiological warfare defense.

When he returned home to Lancaster after his discharge, Bode immediately began looking for work. He struggled to find employment using the skill set he had obtained in the Navy and physical problems related to his service prevented him from pursuing a career as a firefighter. He decided to use the GI Bill and advance his education. He completed his AS at Antelope Valley College in 2010 then transferred to CSULA to pursue his undergraduate degree. He was hospitalized several times during that period due to service related medical issues and almost dropped out of school. Fortunately there was a strong veteran community on campus that assisted Bode; he graduates this Friday with a BS in Criminal Justice and minor in Philosophy Pre-Law.

Bode started his employment search in his senior year knowing that the job market was tough and he had more than just himself to worry about as he had recently become engaged. He knew he would have no source of income after school. He applied to over 100 positions and interviewed for two positions that would not have covered his expenses. Bode says, “I was at my wits-end and my fiancé and I were a few weeks away from being homeless.” He then remembered that Goodwill offered career assistance and employment programs. He contacted the Veteran Employment Program offices and, after his initial intake interview, enrolled in the program. Shortly thereafter a Business Services Representative position opened up within the program; Bode interviewed and was offered the job.

Now, as part of Bode’s focus, he works with veteran college students to help them prepare for and transition into civilian employment. He counsels students by identifying their professional interests and skills to help direct their educational emphasis and put them on a successful career pathway before they graduate.  And, he serves local businesses by connecting these talented graduates to job opportunities within their organizations. Bode helps veterans avoid the pitfalls of long employment gaps during the transition from college to career when many like Adam find their resources expire, and ultimately may battle with bouts of homelessness which can further impede their ability to secure employment.

Bode’s long term ambition is to become an attorney and help advocate for veterans. He has taken the LSAT exam as a first step towards reaching that goal. Goodwill is fortunate to have such a strong role model and determined individual serving our Veteran Employment Program and we proudly recognize Bode as our Veteran of the Year.

Sgt. Ruben Garza served as a drill instructor and tactical communications specialist in the United States Army for seven years; in Hawaii, Germany and other locations in Europe. After his discharge from service in 1983, Garza found it difficult to obtain sustainable employment.

“You go from having rank and leading others to being an average Joe. I thought my experience and seven years of service would be more recognized and appreciated when I returned home,” he said. Under-prepared to compete with civilian job seekers, and unsure of how to translate his military skills, he went years without a permanent job.  Garza began to give up hope.

Amplifying the stress of his job instability, Garza became a single father of three children ranging from 18 months to 9 years old. Garza worked wherever he could to provide for his family and with the help of his sister, was able to maintain a home for his children.

In October of 2008, Garza was assaulted and stabbed in a robbery. This left him unable to work as he underwent numerous surgeries and physical rehabilitation. Upon recovery in 2009 Garza visited his local California EDD (Employment Development Department) office where he saw a flyer for Goodwill.

Garaza attended several Goodwill funded workshops including logistics training, resume development, interview preparation, and individualized job development.

Upon completion of a logistics course, Garza was hired in the Trader Joes Distribution Center as a Warehouse Associate where he is currently employed full-time. We commend Ruben Garza for his perseverance and determination to succeed and proudly salute him as our 2013 Veteran of the Year.

Watch Ariana’s story here.

In high school, Ariana Carbajal became homeless after her parents learned she was pregnant and asked her to leave. With nowhere to go, Carbajal moved in with an uncle. Her uncle provided her with a place to stay but made it clear that although she was just a teenager, the arrangement was not free; she had to pay for her room and board. Carbajal worked various temporary and part-time jobs for several years to support herself and her child.

At the age of 18, she finished high school and enrolled herself into the Los Angeles Trade Technical College where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. After earning this degree, Carbajal wanted to pursue higher education full time but had to put this aspiration on hold because she lacked childcare for her son. However, she was determined not to give up on her educational goals. Once her son turned five and was in school full time, Carbajal enrolled as a Business Administration and Accounting major at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and earned her BS.

As a teen mother, Carbajal grew up very quickly. She overcame the struggles of teen pregnancy, homelessness, poverty, and feelings of depression so she could financially provide for her son and be a positive role model in his life. Carbajal knew it was important to keep education as a priority because it would give her and her son a better life.

In the summer of 2012, Carbajal received a mailer from the California  Employment Development Department for former U.S. Census Workers who were interested in customized training, career counseling and job referrals. Carbajal contacted the Goodwill Central San Gabriel Valley Work Source Center and through the National Emergency Grant program, enrolled in classes in Basic Applied Forensic Science and Crime Analysis at California State University, Long Beach. In December of 2012, Carbajal completed training and was employed full time with the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Ultimately, she hopes to become a Deputy for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has recently begun the application process. Carbajal says, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend training classes through Goodwill, which have helped prepare me for a law enforcement career.”

Through all her adversity, Carbajal has never given up on her education or herself and she hopes her son will learn from the example she has set.

Carbajal’s success is an inspiration to anyone trying to overcome challenging circumstances, and her perseverance has enabled her to provide a stable home for her son and a bright future for both of them. Congratulations Ariana Carbajal, Goodwill Southern California’s Graduate of the Year!

Watch David’s story here.

David Fong first started as a Trainee in the Work Activity Program at the Goodwill Valley Campus. At that time, he had limited exposure to the community and little work experience. According to his Rehabilitation Counselor, he was so nervous and scared in the beginning that he would not come into the building without being coaxed. Every morning his counselor and the Program Manager would have a pep talk with Fong and encourage him to go inside and work his full shift without attempting to leave. As a result of this support and that of other Goodwill employees and program participants, not only did Fong become more comfortable in his work environment, he has also developed stronger social skills and frienships.

Despite his apprehension, Fong was able to adjust to his job duties quickly and was promoted from Trainee to Material Handler in just one year. He now enjoys being part of a supportive team, setting a positive example for his younger siblings and being able to contribute to some of his family’s household expenses. Fong’s family is proud of him and the progress he has made at Goodwill.

Fong currently works closely with the Production Floor Supervisors to help serve other Program Participants. His goal is to become a Floor Supervisor himself. We congratulate David Fong for his courage and tenacity and proudly recognize him as our Valley Campus Achiever of the Year.

Watch Tommy’s story here.

At the age of 13, Tommy Rodriguez began to use drugs and made several other poor choices that led to numerous prison stays. Rodriguez admits that he felt hopeless; he did not care about his life or anyone else’s. He believed prison life was the only life for him and there was no way he could exist on the outside. This sense of hopelessness fueled his destructive behavior which led him back to prison each time he was released.

Rodriguez missed his mother’s golden years and he missed watching his two children grow up because of this revolving door of incarceration,. He also never had a job. Tired of this destructive cycle, he decided it was time for a new life. In 2012, Rodriguez qualified for and enrolled in Goodwill Southern California’s StarWORKS, a court approved job readiness program that serves ex-offenders.

Initially Rodriguez was hesitant to participate in the StarWORKS program, stating, “I’d try this out and if it didn’t work I’d just go back to prison,” a life-style that he was accustomed to. Upon hearing this, his counselor encouraged him to try the program and give it his all. Rodriguez returned the next day, and every day after. Through StarWORKS he attended job readiness workshops, professional development trainings, and gained paid work experience.

Rodriguez is now employed as a Technician with the Goodwill Southern California Facilities department where he exceeds the expectations of every assignment given to him. When Rodriguez was hired, he was quiet and soft-spoken but very eager to learn and take on new challenges. His new attitude and outlook on life have led him to become a productive and valued member of the team and everyone appreciates him. His manager says, “He has brought a positive and inspiring presence to the department. Simply put, he rocks!”

In addition to Rodriguez’s commitment to Goodwill Southern California, he is a full time student at the University of Phoenix where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. His long-term goal is to become a counselor. Rodriguez has recently begun to restore his relationship with his children and the rest of his family. He is thankful for the second chance Goodwill has offered him and has a new found desire to connect to his community through employment. He now believes, “this is the life I owe to myself.” Tommy Rodriguez is a powerful example of a life transformed through the power of work and we are very proud to recognize him as our Los Angeles Achiever of the Year and congratulate him on his hard work,  dedication and remarkable success.

Watch Candice’s story here.

At the age of 22, Candice Fedrick is no stranger to adversity. The third of eight children, Fedrick began preparing meals and looking after her five younger siblings at a young age, while her single mother worked.

Fedrick’s mother did the best she could to provide for her children, but they still struggled. Fedrick and her family were chronically homeless and often times slept in the car. When they were not homeless, a stable environment was still elusive. Moving every six months or so, they stayed in dozens of apartments and with any extended family member they had. Child Protective Services were called to their home and school several times throughout Fedrick’s childhood and the children were often placed in foster care until their mother could regain custody.

At age 18, Fedrick became pregnant and moved in with her boyfriend at the time. In her eighthS month of pregnancy, Fedrick’s boyfriend became very abusive and controlling. She eventually moved out and was temporarily forced to live in her car until she decided to reunite with her mother and siblings. Despite many challenges, now compounded by the difficulties of being a single mother, Fedrick was still able to finish high school and receive her diploma.

After high school, she wanted to go to college, but her family did not have the means. So, she decided to do what most people in her situation do and began to look for a job.

The impact of unemployment was significant. She was struggling financially to care for her family, which created a stressful home environment. Often times, Fredrick did not have money for gas and often needed auto repairs. In 2012, when her mother relocated to Texas, leaving Fredrick to care for her daughter and siblings full time, her financial burden swelled. She would often times go without food so that her sisters and daughter could eat.

Fedrick’s sister informed her that Goodwill was hosting a retail recruitment session at the Destiny Christian Center. There she met Goodwill Program Coordinator, Alaina Bigger. Bigger informed Fedrick about the WIA Youth Program in Victorville and encouraged her to sign up.

Fedrick enrolled in the WIA program on August 2, 2012 and will officially graduate from the program on June 30, 2013. In addition to completing the WIA work readiness workshops and attending several leadership activities, Fedrick has completed the Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide training programs.

She is currently working part time as a Certified Nursing Assistant with Knolls West/Desert Knolls Convalescent Hospital and volunteers with the WIA Youth Program. Fedrick remains focused on providing for her daughter and has set a goal to become a Registered Nurse. She also plans to reunite with her siblings, who have recently relocated to Texas to be with their mother. Fedrick is working towards gaining full time employment so she will no longer need to rely on state aid.

She says, “Goodwill helped me get a start. I know I will always have Alaina’s support and I know that I’m now equipped with the skills I need to find and keep a job.”

Candice Fedrick is a true success story who continues on her path to self-reliance and financial and familial stability. She inspires everyone at Goodwill Southern California to continue to fulfill our mission to transform lives through the power of work. Congratulations Candice Fedrick, our 2013 Graduate of the Year.

Watch William’s story here.

As an adult, William Cox was diagnosed with a disability. This made it difficult to find sustainable employment and resulted in financial hardship. His counselor at the Inland Regional Center referred Cox to Goodwill Southern California. With no job and no family or friends locally, Cox had very limited social interactions outside of his weekly church visits. His IRC counselor thought Goodwill could provide a great opportunity for him to learn valuable vocational skills in addition to providing some social interaction.

In 2009, Cox joined the Work Activity Program (WAP) and was placed as a Trainee with the Computer Recycling division at the Goodwill Southern California San Bernardino Campus. Although he initially struggled, he was eventually able to master his job duties and began to excel in his position. Not only did Cox shine as a Goodwill trainee, he also blossomed into a social butterfly.

After just three months as a WAP participant, Cox parlayed his experience and social growth into a position as a Retail Trainee in the Goodwill Redlands retail store. His counselors and managers believed his newly acquired social skills would be a great asset to the store and the community. Once shy, Cox evolved into an out-going employee who went out of his way to make co-workers and customers happy.

Not only has Cox grown from his experience at Goodwill, he now mentors others in his own right. He befriended another participant who was very introverted. At home, this participant never came out of his room, not even for dinner; and at work, he rarely spoke to anyone. The two became friends and Cox helped to bring him out of his shell. As the friendship grew, he invited Cox over for dinner, and for the first time ate with a group.

Cox now likes to travel and advocates for Goodwill and its mission to anyone who will listen. Giving his own life as testimony for the positive impact of Goodwill, Cox illustrates how one’s life can be transformed through the power of work and the transformation continues as it is shared with others. Congratulations to William Cox, Goodwill’s 2013 Achiever of the Year.

Congrats to William on being recognized as Goodwill SoCal’s 2013 Achiever of the Year. Learn more about William’s heart-warming and inspiring story working at Goodwill.