Helping people prepare for, find, and keep good jobs is what Goodwill is about.

This week’s letter is penned by Workforce Development Director Kiesha Guy who is filling for Jeanette who is on vacation this week.

Photo: Kiesha with her eldest son Christian.

Hello —

As we approach fall, I look back at the “imposed quarantine” we were all faced with. As we try to look past COVID and get ready for flu season, it seems as though we always need to be worried about something. 

During the time in isolation, a lot of people were set back; I think about the homeless, and children forced to be home without adequate basic needs. I realized during this time how important our work is. Goodwill Workforce Development is here to help and is gearing up for the future. We want to be proactive in our approach, starting with an assessment of needs and ending with a job and a grasp of finances. Understanding how to handle these new earnings is important as each person we serve navigates through this time and continues their success into the future. I appreciate the Workforce Development team and all of their work trying to move us forward, as well as the retail department for all of their efforts. It is times like this that we need to be more appreciative and thankful for where we are as we work to build up our lives and the people we serve. 

Last week I watched a video from Doc Rivers, who coaches basketball for the Los Angeles clippers. I usually don’t watch basketball (don’t tell my husband, because he is a basketball coach), but I happened upon the press conference at the end of the game. He spoke about how hard it is as a black person; how hard it is to know that this is how people always see us. I think about that too — there is not a day that goes by that I am not reminded of who I am and how I fit into the world. More importantly, I think about my two boys who must also be very careful in so many ways. Change needs to come and we need it NOW. No matter your age, race, or gender, it starts with us. If we know better we must do better, treating each other and the people we serve with dignity and respect. Let’s resolve our conflicts and address our issues, because only then can we move forward and do the great work we were tasked with.  

Change will also come when we all exercise our right to vote. If you need assistance with voting or getting registered please contact our Career Center. We have staff available to help. Every life has value — understand your value and what you bring to Goodwill. Success is around the corner as we stay focused on our goals. 

Stay safe everyone.

Kiesha Guy
Workforce Development Director