Goodwill of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas

Success Stories

Student Work Experience School of the Year
Variety School

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The goal of the Student Work Experience Program (SWEP) is to give high school age special education students experience working in a real world environment. When SWEP participants arrive at Goodwill, they are assigned specific tasks, just like any other Goodwill Team Member. Some of these tasks include pricing merchandise, sorting recyclable materials, sorting donated and new merchandise, hanging clothes, and counting and packing merchandise to be shipped to Goodwill retail stores.

In 2010, 451 students "graduated" from SWEP with 87 of those students coming from Variety School.

In addition to having the greatest number of students involved in SWEP in 2010, students from Variety have truly embraced this program and have been overheard telling friends and family how much they enjoy their job and the interaction with Goodwill Team Members. In addition, several of them have become real fans of Goodwill radio and are often heard singing along as they work.

Furthermore, the staff at Variety is extremely supportive of not only the day-to-day activities the students participate in, but they also provide insightful feedback to Goodwill about the program, which allows Goodwill to continue to improve it.

The impact the SWEP program has on these students' lives, and the impact the students make on Goodwill Team Members, reaches far beyond the program's initial goal. Goodwill Team Members feel fortunate to call Variety School students and staff not just co-workers, but friends.

Career Connections Power of Work Award
Patricia Vivar

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Five years ago, Patricia Vivar was a different person. She was married and she was a homemaker, caring for her severely disabled son. Then came a divorce, then a larger tragedy - her son passed away. Patricia came to Career Connections a woman with grief, but also determination.

Not having worked in 20 years, she had many concerns, lack of computer skills and an outdated wardrobe among them.

After some encouragement (and a few Goodwill Retail Store Gift cards), Patricia landed an interview with Boulder Station Casino. She is now an employee in the Gift Shop, and loves interacting with customers and fellow employees.

Patricia continues to surprise herself with her new found sense of independence and skills. Recently, she was asked to train a new hire and admitted this is something she never saw herself doing when she was a homemaker, but she has since learned that there are a lot of things you can accomplish with the right attitude.

An extremely positive individual, despite all she has gone through, Patricia continues to learn and to laugh and to keep the memories of her son close to her.

Shining Star of the Year
Carlos Sierra

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Carlos Sierra was referred to Goodwill's Community Based Retail Training Program at the Sahara Store, by his Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Ofelia Gentscheff, in September 2009. Carlos arrived nervous about his first work experience, but eager to learn and earn his first paycheck.

Carlos' trainer, as well as the store staff, were quickly impressed with his work ethic. Over time, Carlos became such a strong member of the team, he was able to take a leadership role and explain assigned job duties to new trainees entering the program.

Whether it was customer service skills, attention to detail, or performance consistency, Carlos excelled at it all. It quickly became clear that Carlos was ready to enter the workforce and start the next chapter in his life.

After working with his Goodwill Job Developer, Carlos was hired at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in December 2009 as a Barista Ambassador. Carlos's job duties consist of cleaning tables, greeting customers as they enter the shop, re-stocking condiments, and even making drinks for customers from time to time. The store staff, as well as customers, love Carlos. He always has a smile on his face and he takes a great deal of pride in his work. Carlos celebrated his 1 year anniversary with the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on December 30, 2010.

Aside from his work at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Carlos has a very active life. He loves to sing and perform - his favorites are Elvis and other great oldies. Carlos has even recorded a CD and had small roles in a few feature films! Additionally, Carlos is an Ambassador for Best Buddies Nevada and has performed at several of their fundraising events. Carlos is truly a Shining Star, not only at work but in every aspect of his life!

Achiever of the Year
Darrell Jackson

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Darrell Jackson was raised in North Las Vegas. As a child, he battled growing up in an abusive household. At the time, he felt his only way of escaping was through drugs and alcohol. This led to a life-long battle of overcoming his addictions and spending several years in and out of jail.

Darrell was consistently challenged with obtaining and maintaining employment. In 2008, he was introduced to a 12 step program. He began making positive choices for a better life - one of which was signing up for services with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.

On September 6th, 2010 Darrell Jackson became the first client referred from BVR to participate in the opening of Goodwill of Southern Nevada's new Warehouse Training Program at the Cheyenne Processing Center. Referred by his BVR Counselor, Ofelia Gentscheff, Darrell was asked to work in a variety of different warehouse stations for a thorough assessment of his job skills and work habits. Having several years of experience working in a warehouse setting, the assessment was the perfect opportunity for Darrell to show what he had to offer to an employer.

When Darrell arrived at Goodwill, his positive attitude, energy, and spirit became apparent immediately. He was determined to turn his life around and set the goal of adding to his work skills. Throughout the 10 days of his assessment, he gained additional knowledge and worked hard on developing good relationships with Goodwill Team Members. He impressed many people around him, including several Goodwill Processing Supervisors. Immediately upon completing his Warehouse Training, Darrell was called into the office of Goodwill's Assistant Director of Operations and offered a position as a Full Time Material Handler.

When he found out he was receiving this award, Darrell stated he would like people around the world to know that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. He thanks Goodwill for carrying out their mission to improve individual lives through employment opportunities and other special programs. He would like to inform others with barriers to employment that they too can achieve their dreams and goals regardless of their past.

Career Connections Power of Perseverance Award:
Tony De La Cruz

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What does the phrase "second chance" mean for you? For Tony De La Cruz, just reaching that second chance meant going through more hardship than most people experience in a full lifetime, let alone before the age of 27.

Jumped into a Los Angeles gang at 13, arrested and imprisoned, shot so badly he had to re-learn to walk, Tony feels that Goodwill has given him not only a second chance, but a second life.

After an exhausting job search where no one would hire him because of his criminal background, Tony walked in to Career Connections thinking it would just be another disappointment. He was thrilled to discover that not only did his Career Connections Placement Specialist take the time to really listen to his story, but she got him an interview with Goodwill's Director of Operations.

Hired initially to work in Goodwill's Processing Center, he has since been promoted to the position of Donation Ambassador. Tony looks forward to a long career with Goodwill and, with the help of his family, knows he will continue to create a better, "second life" for himself.

Gung Ho Award:
Patrick Atencio

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Patrick Atencio had held other jobs before coming to Goodwill, but none that really embraced his most valuable asset - his personality!

Beloved by customers and co-workers alike, Patrick's friendly outgoing manner has earned him the nickname "the world famous Patrick."

His parents report that they are regularly approached at public places like restaurants by Goodwill customers who want to say hello to their son and thank him for his help with their shopping.

As a Retail Support Associate at the Goodwill Rainbow Store, Patrick sorts hangers, keeps the floor and shelves clean, and greets customers. Patrick is also one of the longest employed Goodwill Team Members, having worked within Goodwill for 18 years.

Patrick earned the Gung Ho Award because he truly embodies all the Goodwill values: people are our strength, and we treat them with dignity and courtesy at all times; we exceed our customers'expectations; we measure ourselves only against the best; we do what we say we will do every time; we embrace innovation; and we are a team.