When Chandler moved to Florida with his spouse, he was hoping for a fresh start. Instead, the transition brought uncertainty almost immediately.
After months of searching for work, submitting more than 200 applications and completing more than 20 interviews, Chandler arrived in Florida determined to find an opportunity. As someone who already shopped at Goodwill, he began stopping by local stores and asking a simple question: “Are you guys hiring?”
The response was immediate. He was directed to open interviews and an application, and within a month, Chandler had a job at Goodwill.
Employment brought some stability, but Chandler soon faced another challenge. He and his spouse unexpectedly needed to find a new place to live, and with little familiarity with the area or a local support system, the pressure quickly became overwhelming.
That was when Chandler’s supervisor encouraged him to connect with Natalie, a Good Partner Coach.
Together, Chandler and Natalie looked at housing resources, developed a plan and worked through the steps needed to move forward. With additional financial assistance, Chandler was able to secure housing.
But his housing challenges were not over.
After his landlord sold the property, Chandler had to relocate again. Later, another living situation became unsafe, forcing him and his spouse to leave and temporarily stay in a hotel.
This time, Chandler knew he did not have to navigate the situation entirely on his own.
He reached back out to Natalie.
With her support, Chandler connected with SOS rental assistance and was able to move into another home. He still remembers the moment he learned the assistance had been approved.
“I was really excited when I got the message and you were like, ‘It’s approved!'” Chandler recalled. “That was a happy moment.”
Over time, something else began to change.
Chandler became more confident navigating challenges and finding solutions. Circumstances that once felt overwhelming became situations he could approach one step at a time. Steady employment also became more than a paycheck. It gave him consistency, a sense of security and a foundation from which to keep moving forward.
Today, life feels quieter.
“I’m not coming home worrying about fights all the time,” Chandler said. He describes the simple relief of checking his phone after several hours and realizing there are no emergency notifications waiting for him.
Perhaps the biggest lesson he has taken from the experience is one he hopes other people remember when they are struggling:
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
For Chandler, reaching out did more than help him through a difficult moment. It helped him recognize that support was available, that problems could have solutions, and that he did not have to figure everything out alone.
His journey is also a reflection of Goodwill’s mission of “Changing Lives Through the Power of Work”. What began with Chandler walking into a store looking for a job became a source of stability, connection and opportunity during a difficult chapter in his life.
Sometimes meaningful change begins with work, a little support and knowing there is someone you can call.
