"Jesse"

"In 2003, I found myself homeless and staying at the Drop Inn Center. It was there that I met Susan Ball from the VA and she got me hooked up with Goodwill. I was a Viet Nam veteran and served in the Marine Corps for 4 years. I stayed at Goodwill's dormitory for two years and began working in the Goodwill dock area right away.

In 2007, I was promoted to Dock Supervisor at Goodwill's corporate headquarters and now manage 22 employees. I think Goodwill helped me to get my confidence back and get my life back together."

Jesse's story is similar to those of the thousands of other homeless military veterans that Ohio Valley Goodwill has helped over the past 18 years. Just like Jesse, Ohio Valley Goodwill is committed to helping our nation's heroes to get their lives back together. Do your part to help veterans like Jesse get back on their feet...your donation can help to change someone's life. Please donate to Goodwill today!

"Stephanie "

"I like my job!" This is what Stephanie says every time someone asks her about her work for the Kroger Company on the west side of Cincinnati. Successfully employed for more than 8 years at Kroger, Stephanie receives job coaching support through Ohio Valley Goodwill. Her job coach, Matt Byrum, reports that Stephanie is wonderful to work with and an asset to her employer. Both Stephanie and Matt were recently showcased in a video about their work together. Well known for her friendly customer service by her employer as well as the store’s regular customers, Stephanie is popular with both co-workers and patrons.

When she is not working, Stephanie is very involved with her community, volunteering her time to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association, performing with Hands In Harmony, (a popular signing choir), swimming, bowling and traveling with her family.

Stephanie has been a consistent member of "Team Goodwill" for the Hope & Possibility Run; a feature of the annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. She has been a participant and supporter of this event for the past 4 years. In addition, Stephanie volunteers her time to support Goodwill partner, Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities by participating in fund-raising events as well as by providing educational outreach presentations as requested.

Most recently, Stephanie was featured on Ohio Valley Goodwill’s 2010 Annual Report, as Honorary Co-Chair of the 2010 Goodwill Celebrity Golf Outing, as well as in the organization’s most recent television donation appeal ads. Stephanie is always willing to help out in sharing the Goodwill story and when asked why she enjoys being involved with the organization and its many community events, she always responds with "it’s fun!"