Goodwill

Derek Chan

"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. 

 In our San Rafael store, Derek earns a steady paycheck while receiving continued job coaching on various skills, including offering excellent customer service. Derek says he enjoys all his duties, but his favorites are hanging clothes, stocking housewares and bagging items for customers. Store manager, Kim Lampert, glows when speaking about Derek, “He is always full of positive energy, never complains and is so hard working.”

 Derek is not someone who shies away from learning a new skill. And, he has boundless energy? Besides working at Goodwill three days each week, Derek also works at Madison High School doing janitorial work and with Loaves and Fishes as a dishwasher. In his ‘free’ time he enjoys volunteering at the Portland Zoo, OMSI and the Red Cross. As to why he works so many jobs and volunteers at so many organizations, Derek answers simply, “Because it keeps me busy and I like to help people.”

 While Derek truly cherishes his independence and strives for success, he is also a newly-established family man. While attending Mt. Hood Community College, he met a young woman named Bree. During several years of dating, they enjoyed movies, bowling and dining out. Last Christmas, Derek proposed to Bree and walked down the aisle with his bride this May.

 We don’t see an end to Derek’s list of outstanding accomplishments. A role model to all of us, he says he is proud to be a part of Goodwill, and we could not be more proud to call him an absolute inspiration.