Mission

Meet the Skills Trainers-Molly

Hello! My name is Molly and I am a skills trainer at Goodwill. I am so blessed because I love my job and look forward to coming to work every day. Working for Goodwill means I have an impact in people’s lives; people who face physical, emotional or mental challenges.

As a skills trainer, I support and teach our participants a variety of things they will need to be employable such as job skills, coping skills, behavior modification, and how to communicate appropriately and many other things. What I love most about my job is developing relationships with our participants and watching them reach their goals and gain confidence in themselves and their work.

What brings you the greatest joy?

My greatest joys are my family, my fur babies and traveling. A few places on my bucket list include traveling to Ireland, Italy, and Greece as well as every national park in the United States

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is my son, who is a police officer, getting hurt or killed or losing any of my kids.

What are some interesting facts about you?

I desperately love animals and could easily be a crazy old cat or dog lady.
I have a sarcastic, warped sense of humor.
I love watching the TV show “Hoarders” because it inspires me to clean my house.
I love historic architecture and I am one of the founders of SiouxLandmark a local historic preservation group.

Meet the Program Managers-Jill

Jill has been with Goodwill for 6 years as the program manager and ETO administrator in Rapid City, SD. She leads the Rapid City Missions Services department and has been involved in disability services work for 30 years. Let’s learn more about Jill!

What is your favorite part of your job?

Being able to be a part of teaching people the tools they need to succeed and accomplish things they didn’t think they could accomplish.

What do you wish you knew more about?

I wish I was better at sign language (ASL)

What would be your idea way to spend the weekend?

Lazy clothes, relaxing, watching my history documentaries, not having any errands to run.

What is something you think everyone should do once in their lives?

Learn something new, something they’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t taken the time or didn’t think they could. Travel to a place they’ve never been, and not be in a hurry.

Meet the Skills Trainers-Christine

Job Description: The Skills Trainers works with many different participants for many different reasons. Everyone is in the program for some type of supportive services. Overall, a skills trainer needs to be adaptable, supportive, and empathetic to the specific needs of the participants that they work with.

What we do: As a skills trainer I provide education and support of soft skills. The soft skills we focus on are the personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. These are a combination of people skills, social skills, communication skills, character/personality traits, attitudes, career attributes, social and emotional intelligence.

What I like: I like the variety of this job. I like the opportunity to work with the variety of people that are in the program. I really enjoy assisting someone overcome a barrier in their life.

Who’s my hero: Anyone who has the courage to overcome something that tried to stop them from accomplishing a dream.

What’s my biggest fear: Fear itself.

What’s my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. Because no one is worried about presents.

Meet the Skills Trainers-Chasity

Hello! My name is Chasity. At Goodwill I have a dual role. I am the skills trainer and the employment specialist in Sioux Falls. As a skills trainer I teach participants the soft skills needed to be successful in the competitive work field. We teach them how to be on time, how to clock in, how to engage properly with their coworkers, and how to stay on track amongst other things. We also teach them how to approach management if they have questions or concerns. Any issues that come up we tackle them together. We are a team. What I love most is when you see the confidence build in the individuals. It is truly amazing to help be part of someone else’s positive personal growth. It’s so neat to be part of their support team. When you see the participant complete the program and move on to search for competitive employment its very rewarding. I am very lucky to have been given this opportunity to work here. I love what I do at Goodwill.

Who is your hero?

Hero: Charles Alderton: Creator of Dr Pepper OR Leslie Knope (Parks and Rec, played by Amy Poehler)

What is your biggest fear?

Not being a successful parent to my children.

What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving! Because it is all about family, friends and food.

Deana’s Journey to Reaching Her Dreams

Social anxiety is a condition where an individual has difficulty feeling comfortable interacting with people. Deana had been dealing with social anxiety for years and she didn’t feel comfortable leaving the comforts of her house. Unfortunately, her husband lost his job due to the plant shutting down. There was no income coming in, so they had to do something to put food on the table and a safe home for their goddaughter who they just received guardianship for.

Deana and her husband went to the Department of Human Services to receive assistance during this difficult time. They applied for Food Stamps and they helped her husband get a job. However, to receive this assistance Deana had to enter a Goodwill program. Deana started the Employment Skills Training Program through the South Dakota Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Deana’s work site was provided through Goodwill.

Deana was nervous about working at Goodwill and didn’t know what to expect. “My first day in the door I didn’t know what to think of these people. I was shy and quiet,” Deana said. After about 3 days into this 6-week program Deana fell in love with Goodwill and the culture. She knew that this was where she was meant to be. After the 6-week period, Deana and the staff knew that she still had areas to improve upon. The program was extended to 12 weeks. Deana didn’t have a problem with this though. She said with positive attitude, “I had nowhere to go but up.”

Family is an important part of her life both at home and at work. “We are a strong family at Goodwill,” Deana said. Deana believes that coming to work with a great team is everything to her. Deana’s family extends to her customers also. “We laugh and pray together,” Deana stated with joy.

Deana is now in the LEAP UP program working towards receiving her High School Diploma. The LEAP UP program has been a challenge for Deana because she has a learning disability, but Deana is determined to work towards her goals. Deana said gratefully, “I have great plans for my life that I never would have achieved had it not been for Goodwill.”

A chance to succeed is a crucial part of the Goodwill mission. At Goodwill, we give people the resources to create a better life for themselves and their families. Our philosophy at Goodwill is we give people “a hand up not a handout.” We believe that if people are given the resources to succeed they will be able to become self-sufficient. We serve many people like Deana who need some assistance with developing job skills. Making a monetary donation is a vital role that you can play in supporting Goodwill programs. These donations are not only tax deductible, but you are helping individuals find employment to reach their goals.