Texas Man Builds Successful Career After Earning A Second Chance At Goodwill Central Texas

AUSTIN, Texas, May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Charles Jackson knew that reentering society and finding a job would be difficult, after spending more than two years in federal prison. Numerous employers had turned him down. He turned to Goodwill Central Texas (Austin) on the advice of his sister. Jackson worked hard, grew his skills and earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Goodwill Industries International has named Jackson its 2016 Achiever of the Year.

Jackson received training from the Austin Goodwill and earned a job as a production supervisor for its retail stores. He took every training that Goodwill^® offered, learned as much as he could, grew his leadership skills and rapidly rose within the organization from a production supervisor to a clerk and then to an assistant store manager within two years. A year later, he became a store manager, and he has since managed five different Austin-area Goodwill stores.

"Goodwill Central Texas didn't just give me a job. It gave me the opportunity to believe in myself, and move my life in the right direction," said Jackson. "Goodwill taught me important leadership skills that have not only helped me be successful at work, but at home with my family, too."

Jackson and his wife Ericka are the parents of twelve children – four of whom, have gone off to college. He will be honored with the 2016 Achiever of the Year Award at Goodwill Industries International's Delegate Assembly conference in June.

"Charles' story reminds us that everyone deserves a second chance and, with a little support, some training and hard work, people with criminal histories can be successful in the workplace," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "We are proud of Charles' accomplishments and grateful for the leadership and mentoring he provides to his colleagues."

Jerry Davis, president and CEO of Goodwill Central Texas, praised Jackson's ability to work with his store team and his influence as a mentor.

"Charles is a servant leader. He never asks any employee to do what he wouldn't be willing to do. He successfully meets budget, month after month, year after year, all while inspiring his employees to do their best," said Davis.

Goodwill Industries International's Achiever of the Year is a person who has shown great progress and accomplishment in overcoming challenges to finding employment, and who still benefits from the Goodwill work environment or receives services to support employment at a community site.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 164 autonomous, community-based organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of America's top 20 most inspiring companies (Forbes, 2014). Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,100 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com^®. Local Goodwill organizations also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, Goodwill placed 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.

For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl

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SOURCE Goodwill Industries International