Goodwill

New Beginning for Crystal Groves

Call out: “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.”
It was because of this change that she began abusing drugs and alcohol. Crystal stopped fretting about school when she was high--not that it would matter for very long. As a 9th grader, she was kicked out of the educational system for non-attendance. What she stuck with was using drugs and alcohol, an addiction lasting 19 years.

Woven in between criminal acts – such as assault, stealing, and ID theft, Crystal achieved societal benchmarks, including getting married and bringing up two children. But “mommy” Crystal and “addict” Crystal were always at war. Her many arrests meant multiple jail and prison sentences.

“While in Coffee Creek Women’s Correctional facility for a second time, I knew I was made of stronger stuff. I had gotten complacent in my recovery and didn’t reach out for support when I needed it the most.” In stepped Tom Armand of Job Connection’s Prison Outreach program.

“Tom offered excellent ideas on how to present ourselves. He let us know even with all of our criminal history we were still good people and someone would give us a chance again. I think that’s the biggest fear coming out of prison. Will we be able to get work?”

Upon parole, Crystal focused on finding a job. She called Tom, and he introduced her to employment specialist, Danielle Soc-Lopez. “On my first meeting with her I felt encouraged and hopeful about the future,” she remembers. Crystal says it wasn’t uncommon to get voice mails or emails about job leads from Tom or Danielle and follow-up calls to see how she faired in an interview. “I felt Tom and Danielle really cared. Sometimes Tom would call and leave a message telling me it’s a good day and to keep smiling.”

Her criminal background did make it tough finding a forgiving employer, but she stuck to the task and today she is a success in a full-time job. Besides being able to pay her bills, she walks with a new sense of dignity. “It’s helped my self-esteem and outlook on life. It feels good to be able to go to the store when I want something or to take my kids shopping and out to dinner, something I could never do before.”

Thankful for her family and Goodwill’s unwavering support, a sober Crystal has clarity. She realizes life will always present challenges, but she also understands she doesn’t have to face the challenges alone.