When Carmen Vadi walked through the doors of Goodwill's EmployAbility Institute in Pennsauken, her asthma had kicked in terribly. The staff showed immediate concern and compassion, giving Carmen a good feeling about the place. She was ready to make a change in her life. While she was proud of being drug free for 16 years and no longer homeless, she wanted out of the State's welfare system once and for all. With a few weeks of training at Goodwill, she'd be well on her way or so she thought. . . Four months later, Carmen is still at Goodwill--but this time gainfully employed as the Institute's receptionist. "Besides having exceptional customer service and office skills, Carmen is an outstanding role model to the hundreds of other welfare recipients that walk through our doors every day," said Director of Employment Services Whitney White. "Her smile brightens our lobby and makes people feel welcome."

Twenty-five-year-old Richard Frake felt like he was on a merry-go-round, floundering from one job to another without any real purpose. After graduating from high school, he worked for a car dealership, an auto body shop and a grocery store. Richard decided to take advantage of the free services offered by Goodwill's JOB CLUB. He soon enrolled in Goodwill's Forklift Certification Program on a full scholarship. He passed the course with flying colors and was immediately hired as a temporary warehouse worker by a local computer giant. After putting in 12+ hour days for a month, he was told a permanent position with the company was impossible because his tattoos were against policy. This was a huge blow to his self-esteem. Back to square one, he accepted another temporary warehouse job at IKEA in Westampton, NJ. Putting his heart and soul into this job paid off. Before long, he switched career gears all together. He now holds a full-time, salaried position in the IT Department. "Goodwill gave me the encouragement to overcome my own personal insecurities," says Richard. "Now that I am with a company that accepts diversity, it makes me want to succeed that much more. My life now has direction."

Twenty-seven years ago, Haddon Heights resident Nicholas DiMona was involved in a horrific car accident and given a 50-50 chance of survival. He spent a year in the hospital and nearly a decade in rehabilitation before turning to Goodwill. Nicholas received vocational evaluations and computer skills and industrial services training. But with mobile dexterity and speech issues to contend with, this college graduate and former postal employee couldn't find the right job. Knowing what a great employee he would make, Goodwill's corporate headquarters hired Nicholas to assist with document shredding and other administrative tasks one day a week. When he received his first paycheck in 25 years, tears rolled down his face. "I love working at Goodwill and look forward to coming here. It gives my life more purpose," says Nicholas. Still, a once a week job was not enough for Nicholas. Mt. Laurel-based Corporate Synergies, an independent benefits consulting and brokerage firm, stepped up to the plate hiring Nicholas to perform similar job duties. When the State turned down Nicholas' request to provide an on-site job coach, Corporate Synergies employees rallied together--agreeing to take payroll deductions to pay for the job coach. And when Goodwill thanked Corporate Synergies for pooling together these resources, one employee made a profound statement. She said "Nicholas has given us far more than we have given him."