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Margaret Hammonds

Goodwill Changed My Life

Due to a learning disability, Margaret Hammonds came to Goodwill not knowing how to read or write which created a barrier to gaining employment. Margaret participated in Goodwill’s training program which included working in “Dreams”, a restaurant located inside the Goodwill main office, which teaches participants how to run a restaurant. Margaret proved she was capable of working in a fast paced environment and had a great work ethic, often helping out in Dreams when they were short handed.

Margaret also enrolled herself in a literacy program. She is now reading at a 5th grade level and is improving every day. Margaret didn’t stop with making sure she learned how to read. She referred numerous other participants with the same reading barriers to the literacy program. Because of Margaret’s referrals, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is now partnering with the Literacy Council to educate participants.

She also went through money management classes. Margaret says “I was not good at managing money before coming to Goodwill. Now I know how to budget money tighter and hold on to it.” She says she still practices money management every month by creating a budget and sticking with it.

Margaret left a lasting impression with staff and participants alike during her time at Goodwill. She often went out of her way to help others to ensure their needs were met; her life revolves around helping others. She helped one man find medical coverage. She often gave extra food she had to people around her that needed it. Eventually she hopes to find a job that allows her to give back to society.

Margaret graduated from the training program in early 2011 after a year at Goodwill and currently works at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Bill Watson, Margaret’s job coach, speaks fondly of Margaret, “Margaret is not perfect but everything she does, she does from the heart.”

“Goodwill changed my life a lot, it motivated me. I had good people to work with me such as the job coach and training staff,” Margaret said of Goodwill. “The staff taught me a lot. I will recommend anyone to come to Goodwill.”

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