Client Profiles

The People We Serve

For more than eight decades, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania has served thousands of people in countless ways, building our community one job at a time. We recognize each client as a special and unique person, and we strive to help them all achieve their distinctive personal goals and dreams. Here are profiles of a few Goodwill clients who are representative of the thousands we have served over the years.

Ben began with Goodwill's Youth Works Program since 2001, transitioned into adult job placement at Goodwill and currently holds a position at Giant Eagle. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Colleen came to Goodwill searching for help in fighting her addiction and finding a good job.  She is now fully recovered, and works full-time with TeleTech's call center. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Jason found help at Goodwill's Community Corrections Center and now works at Direct Advantage Marketing. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Goodwill's partnership with the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium provided a great place for Ben to start. Read More (opens new window) >>>

After decades as a homemaker, Sherry decided that she was ready to re-enter the workforce.  She joined Goodwill's Employment Training Center in 2003, and is now a Patient Information Coordinator with UPMC. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Michael has been involved with Goodwill since 2002, taking Adult Basic Education classes and working in Goodwill's housekeeping department, except during the summer months when he works on an 85-acre farm near Pittsburgh. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Michael's strong work ethic has allowed him to be successful at many types of jobs, including his work at the Wyndham Hotel Pittsburgh. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Mary started as a secretary with Goodwill, but continues to move onto bigger and better things for herself in her career at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Like many others, Jeannie came to Goodwill for help at the suggestion of a friend. Read More (opens new window) >>>

Cheryl has had a long and productive employment relationship with Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Read More (opens new window) >>>

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"I can actually support my kids now. Their attitude toward me has changed since I've gone through the Goodwill program and since I've been working at this job."

Colleen definitely understands the late John Lennon's observation that "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."  Her goal after high school was to get married and have a career by age 25.  Instead, she had two daughters and became addicted to drugs and alcohol.  Despite earning two associate degrees for specialized secretarial work, she found herself in a series of dead-end jobs.  She came to Goodwill for help with fighting her addiction and with finding a good job.  Once in recovery, Colleen got help with resume writing, job-search skills, mock interviews, and counseling. She found a full-time job with TeleTech's call center in Uniontown providing customer service for Verizon.  "This is a good job," Colleen says.  "I like to help the customers get answers to their problems."  And she appreciates that TeleTech is supportive and helpful. "I have finally found a job that I can stay at and build stability in my life," she says.  Recognizing how much the power of work means to her, Colleen wants to make sure her two teenage daughters become responsible individuals. "It's better when they see me doing that myself."

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