Goodwill Stories

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Derek Chan - A Man with Boundless Energy and a Continuous Smile

“He is always full of positive energy, never complains and is so hard working.”

Derek Chan faces life with a developmental disability and a serious medical issue. But as evident in the following story, he takes on each challenge with energy, a positive outlook and a willingness to work hard. 

 After graduating from Centennial High School, Derek enrolled in college classes to acquire skills in cooking, budgeting, responding to emergencies and doing laundry. Self-confident in his newly acquired life skills and fully recovered from a kidney transplant, Derek moved into his own apartment. In April 2007, Derek entered our Portland Production and Contracts program for evaluation and to build his vocational skills. Just three months later, he was prepared to take on the challenge of working in a Goodwill store. 

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The Story of Thomas Hill: Grit and Luck

His boss says there isn’t anyone at work Thomas doesn’t match in pace and stamina.

He thought it was only some type of congestion. He was coughing some, his chest had tightness. Questionable X-Rays led to a CAT scan which revealed far worse than the expected pneumonia. “Turns out I had stage four cancer in three places – my lungs, spleen and kidneys.”   Thomas Hill, who was well into his 60’s, got the news that treatment had to start the very next day. “The doctor said the cancer cells were aggressive and growing quickly.” He began a six-month chemotherapy regimen almost immediately. The journey to wellness was as hard as any he haad taken in his life.

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New Beginning for Crystal Groves

 “Having a job has helped my self-esteem and outlook on life.”

Crystal Groves of Portland thought she was a good student until she got to middle school. “I couldn’t understand why I was having so much trouble comprehending and learning.” After several frustrating months, Crystal found out she had Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). But giving a name to her learning roadblock didn’t help. “I felt like a failure and extremely frustrated with school. That’s when I started skipping and hanging out with the wrong crowd.”

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A Gift to Goodwill – Hoa Tat Nguyen

 “When it comes to English, Hoa exemplifies the two D’s, dedication and determination.”

In March of 2006, while most of the one million residents of Vietnam’s major port city Da Nang were going about their normal business, two of its citizens were locking the door to their family- owned grocery store for the last time.

 That morning, Hoa Tat Nguyen and his wife Nan walked away from their business and friends.  They had made a decision that would ultimately bring them to a place where they would reunite with long-missed family members. Carrying little more than the clothes on their backs, Hoa and Nan embarked on the 7,600 mile journey to Portland, Oregon. There a joyous reunion unfolded with Hoa’s mother, daughter and brothers.

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