Our Mission

Stephanie Baker

You gave me back my independence

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Stephanie was attending Philander Smith College in Little Rock when she was in a devastating car accident in 1981. The accident left her paralyzed from the waist down and bound to a wheelchair.

But Stephanie was determined to graduate college, which she did in 1984. After graduating, Stephanie built a house in Little Rock, but found herself homeless when her Social Security Insurance (SSI) benefits ceased. Stephanie moved in with her daughter and grandchildren in a small townhouse but that had its own difficulties.

“It was difficult, especially since the townhouse wasn’t handicap accessible,” recalls Stephanie. “They had to carry me up and down the stairs.”

Things started to turn around for Stephanie when she was referred to Goodwill Industries of Arkansas. She completed the Work Activity Program, a program that provides services to adults who are disabled with a productivity level of below 50% of the industrial norm and who are in need of a structured daily program. Adults in this program spend a portion of each day in work-related activities. The remainder of the time is devoted to enhancing independent living skills and increasing self-sufficiency levels.

“The Work Activity Program helped me build my self-esteem,” says Stephanie. “I was getting a regular paycheck, and I was able to save enough money to become independent once again and to live on my own.”

Stephanie also notes that the Goodwill Industries of Arkansas facilities were especially beneficial to her. “Everything is very accessible to me as someone with disabilities,” says Stephanie. Goodwill Industries of Arkansas facilities are designed to be handicap accessible, and Goodwill employees are trained to assist those with special needs and challenges.

Upon completing the program, Stephanie realized that she needed to develop her computer skills, and so went on to enroll in the Workforce Alliance for Growth in the Economy (WAGE) program and take its computer courses.

“Goodwill has helped me gain back my independence, my income, and my self-esteem,” says Stephanie.

---

Donate now to change someone’s life today