None — Money from Goodwill's stores is used to fund job training programs, and one Charlotte man said the generosity of strangers helped pay for his second chance.
When Parris Friday was released from prison, he said, finding a job was difficult.
"It was frustrating because employers would look at me and say, ‘OK,' and then see my record and say, ‘I'm sorry sir, we're not hiring,'" Friday said.
But he said completing a free job training program at Goodwill turned things around, and earning his construction certificate opened doors.
"That's what I needed, and it gave me a sense of knowing that I was on the right path and would have something to present the next time I talked to employers," Friday said.
Now, he's been hired and is one of the thousands of people the agency has helped.
"Last year, in total, Goodwill served 15,000 people with barriers to employment, and that's significant because, before the recession, we were serving about 6,000 people," said Michael Elder, Goodwill Industries president and CEO.
Experts say the skills offered are especially critical for people with criminal records.
"If we're not successful helping people transition back to employment, then those with prior records are three times more likely to go back to prison," Elder said.
Friday now wants to work with others facing challenges. Next week, he begins college courses to earn a degree in counseling.
"I just want to change my life to the point where I can change other lives," he said. "By Goodwill giving me a chance and instilling hope in me, I want to instill that same hope in other people."
WSOC
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