David is an Air Force veteran who came to Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services originally looking for help finding employment, but what he ended up getting was a lot more.
David was looking for some help with his resume and some assistance with job searches. Since his last job, David had been dealing with some health issues on and off. He wasn’t sure what he was capable of doing or what was even available out there. He and Randy, a Community Employment Team Leader and fellow Veteran, came up with a plan. They updated his resume and began doing job searches together. David seemed to appreciate the help and the encouragement.
Randy also told David about the Veterans Coffee Social he facilitated every Tuesday and encouraged David to come. Randy explained there was no real agenda and that it was a place where veterans could connect, share in camaraderie, tell tall tales, and sometimes help each other find the resources they may need. David was excited to learn of this and began showing up every Tuesday when he could. It was evident that David was enjoying himself, and he frequently expressed that to Randy. It was good to see David enjoying himself and interacting with the other veterans. This was good medicine!
Things moved pretty quickly, and before he knew it, David was attending a new hire orientation and on his way to a new job and opportunities. Over the next month, David and Randy stayed in touch. David would come to the Coffee Social and tell Randy how much he was enjoying the new job.
Then things took a turn for the worse. David’s health issues started to increase and would require surgery, which meant David would have to quit his new job. David was devastated.
After his surgery, David started coming back to the Coffee Social. He was having a hard time, but he was trying. Because he had been unable to work, David was falling behind on his bills and could soon find himself homeless. Even trying to keep food in the house was a struggle. Together, he and Randy connected with a few community-based veteran organizations that Goodwill Veterans Services partners with and were able to secure assistance to keep David in his home and put groceries in the fridge. David was humbled by the support and help he received from our local veteran community.
During this same time, David expressed that he was well enough to get back to work, so they started the job hunt again. David expressed how much he enjoyed the first job they had found and would love to work there again. Randy contacted the HR department and discovered that David was, in fact, re-hirable due to having to leave for medical reasons and that they were more than happy to interview him again. David jumped at the chance. And wouldn’t you know it, he landed the job for the second time. He was so excited and thankful for a second opportunity. David had been on a wild ride lately, but his perseverance, resilience, and efforts had paid off.
David can still be seen at the Coffee Social, provided he’s not working, enjoying the donuts, the coffee, and his fellow veterans.
Serving those who served is what we do! Aim High, David!!!
*** Below is a short Testimonial in David’s own words.
When I first connected with Randy Wright at Goodwill’s Veterans Services, I was going through one of the toughest years of my life. Health challenges had caused me to lose work and fall behind financially, and I wasn’t sure where to turn. Randy didn’t just offer guidance — he listened, cared, and helped me rebuild stability step by step.
Through his support, I was able to find a new job that’s helping me get back on my feet. He also connected me with community resources that provided help with food, rent, and other essentials when I needed it most.
Just as importantly, the Veterans Coffee social that Randy organizes every Tuesday at 10 a.m. has become a true lifeline. It’s more than just coffee — it’s a place where veterans come together, share experiences, and learn about resources that can make a real difference.
Randy’s compassion and dedication remind me what community really means. I’m deeply grateful for all that he and Goodwill do for local veterans like me.
