Goodwill of Greater Washington

My First Set of Keys

(Nadine's story. See second picture above.)

“I’ve never had a set of keys before, because I never had any doors to open.”

These words were shared by “Nadine,” a Goodwill of Greater Washington graduate and employee, after recently receiving the keys to her first apartment.

Nadine came to Goodwill in 2009 after spending most of her 45 years living on the streets, hustling drugs and abusing alcohol. Following the tragic death of her mother, Nadine dropped out of school in the 7th grade, and her life began spiraling out of control.

While sitting in a halfway house after being released from prison two years ago, Nadine began to cry uncontrollably. She came to the realization that she needed to turn her life around. Nadine knew that if she remained on the path she was following, she would soon be dead.

After reading a flyer about one of Goodwill’s job training programs, Nadine picked up the phone and called us. She credits that call with changing her life forever.

Though Nadine’s story has a happy ending, her life could have ended very tragically like many people who simply lack the hope for a brighter future. Hope that comes from the dignity and self respect that sustainable employment can provide.

While the regional unemployment rate is hovering at 11%, the unemployment rate in the capital area’s most underserved communities is much higher. In the District’s Ward 8, the unemployment rate exceeds 25%.

Can you imagine if one out of every four people you knew were unemployed? It’s no wonder that “hope” is such a difficult commodity to obtain.

Help people like Nadine and put people back to work in our nation's capital!

Every donation will help provide job training services to people with disadvantages and disabilities right here in our nation’s capital.

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