For Eli, the journey he has made with Goodwill has been life-changing. Eli started in the Goodwill Pre-Vocational training program to work on his barriers. One of those barriers was communicating with people in a respectful manner in situations that arise in the workday. Eli admitted that “it was challenging to stay calm around people when they made me angry.” He worked on this challenge with his skills trainer and Eli is now calmer when a situation makes him angry.
Eli transitioned from the Pre-Vocational program into the Supported Community Employment program. Eli worked at Sears where he enjoyed meeting new people and having the opportunity to work in the community.
Eli was involved in Integrated Day Services during his time with the Goodwill training programs also. Eli said, “When I first started Integrated Day Services I thought it was a waste of time and I quit Integrated Day Services but when I got a job at Sears I returned to Integrated Day Services. I have made a lot of friends in Integrated Day Services.”
Eli thanks Goodwill for learning how to be humble and how to have a positive attitude because of the training programs he progressed through. Eli is currently on the search for a job and he is interested in welding because it is his dream job.