Finding Opportunity and Support

Emma began her full-time role at Goodwill in August 2023 as a Fabricator serving as a lead producer, where she inserts parts, labels bags, and assists with sealing. As a visually impaired employee, Emma says the accommodations and support she receives have made all the difference.

“They set aside things for me and help me. It’s easy to move everywhere,” she shares. “I like the flexibility in terms of time, and they are very supportive.”

Emma especially values the relationships she has built at work. She enjoys interacting with her coworkers and bosses, noting that they listen to her and create a welcoming environment. “Everyone is friendly and sociable,” she says.

Originally from Africa, Emma worked as a teacher. Her family moved to the United States in 2021 in search of better educational opportunities for their children, who are now 14 and 8 years old. The transition was not easy, but with the help of her brother-in-law and his wife, they were able to settle in and begin building a new life.

While searching online for employment, Emma applied to several places, but when she received an interview opportunity with Goodwill, she said something felt right. Today, Goodwill is a family affair. Emma works the first shift, while her husband works the second shift in the contracts department.

For Emma, Goodwill is more than just a job.

“It’s a good place. I’m comfortable working here, I don’t have much stress, and it’s a flexible full-time job,” she says. “They are really caring and work with people with intellectual disabilities, I am visually impaired. When I realized that I said, ‘This is the right place.’”

Emma rides the bus to work each day and continues to grow in a role where she feels valued, supported, and empowered, proof of how opportunity, accessibility, and compassion can change lives.