Erica Galloway
Life Skills Success
Before coming to Chattanooga Goodwill Industries®, I worked as a waitress in Georgia. The job was all right, but I was having a difficult time. I was born three months premature and have two implanted brain shunts.
Being premature has made finding a job very difficult for me. I’ve had to fight my whole life to be here. That is why I came to Goodwill®. I had heard about a job training program that they offered, so I looked into it.
Once I started the program, I worked in the contracts department doing odd jobs, such as breaking and stacking cardboard, and assembling parts for companies. The most important thing that I learned as a client in this training program was that I was capable of doing so much more than I thought.
My perspective about myself changed also. Now I know I can do different things. Before, I wasn’t really testing my skills or eager to try different things. I have more pride and determination in myself. I am able to get the job done and work by myself.
After finishing the program, I was hired by the Chattanooga Goodwill as a job coach. I now try to help other people better themselves and learn some basic job skills. I’ve learned I can help other people in this way, and it helps them to see me doing different things too.