Isaiah’s path to success included many challenges. During his junior year of high school, COVID disrupted his education, and he left school to search for work. What followed was a series of devastating setbacks, including a family dispute that escalated into a shooting at his home. The trauma of that night rippled through every corner of his life. He lost his job, and when his car was repossessed shortly after, Isaiah knew he had hit rock bottom. Rather than giving up, he decided to get his education back on track by enrolling in Goodwill’s Excel program.
While at the Excel Center, Isaiah connected with his life coach advisor, who told him about the Academy and opportunities in the line manufacturing program. He was skeptical at first, but what won him over was the teachers and fellow students. The class members quickly became close friends, and the instructor created an environment where everyone felt at home. By the time Isaiah graduated, he was more than ready to put his certificate to work for him.
Isaiah took his credentials to staffing agencies across Hammond, and it didn’t take long for his Academy certificate to earn him a placement at Ford. Landing a position there was a dream come true for Isaiah, and he credits Goodwill’s program as the turning point. “Goodwill made me feel like I had everything when I had nothing,” he shared. Today, Isaiah is not only working but looking to further advance his career and education.