In 2023, Omelio left behind everything familiar—his home, his culture, and his comfort in Cuba—with nothing but a dream in his heart and a quiet strength in his soul. As part of a humanitarian program, he came to the United States searching for something many of us may take for granted: opportunity, safety, and the chance to build a better life.
He arrived in North Port, Florida, with only modest savings and moved in with his uncle. Omelio knew he had to act fast—not just to survive, but to begin living. He sought work immediately but also recognized that learning English would be the key to opening every door in his new homeland.
When his uncle told him about the Goodwill Job Connection Center, Omelio’s path began to take shape. There, he met Amy, a compassionate team member who guided him through job options. However, one major obstacle remained transportation. Most available positions were too far to reach on foot.
With quiet determination, Omelio made a bold decision: he used nearly all his savings to buy a car. That leap of faith changed everything.
Shortly after, Amy informed him of a material handler position at the Goodwill Rialto location. She helped him apply, and before he even left the building, he received a call from Sherry Hendrickson, the Rialto Team Leader. She asked if he could come in for an interview—that very day. It was November 15, 2023—a day etched in Omelio’s heart forever.
Despite his limited English and nervousness, Omelio showed up with humility and hope. At the interview, he met Sherry and Julio, an Assistant Team Leader who spoke Spanish and helped bridge the communication gap. Their warmth immediately put him at ease, and soon after, he was sent for a drug test, the first sign that his new life had truly begun.
That following Monday, he attended orientation and met Natalie, who introduced him to the Speexx English learning program. Omelio didn’t hesitate. He enrolled right away, determined not only to work, but to grow. He knew he wasn’t just building a career—he was building a future.
At Rialto, he was welcomed like family. Julio and another team member trained him with patience and care until he felt confident in his role. Through Goodwill, he also connected with a Good Partner Coach to begin his RMW journey—another steppingstone toward self-reliance and success.
But life had one more beautiful surprise waiting.
Just a few weeks into the job, Omelio met Betsy, a hanger/sorter at the store. From the moment he saw her, he felt something special, a spark he couldn’t ignore. Betsy, too, felt the connection, but life had made her cautious. After enduring two difficult marriages, she had built walls around her heart.
As fate would have it, Betsy was preparing to leave for a month-long spiritual retreat in Mexico. Before she left, Omelio handed her a small note—written in broken English—with his phone number and a sweet compliment about her eyes. He simply asked to be her friend. To this day, Betsy laughs affectionately about that note and the innocent sincerity behind it.
Touched by his kind spirit, they began talking, and a friendship blossomed. But Betsy needed time and space. Respecting her wishes, Omelio waited.
While in Mexico, Betsy found herself thinking of him constantly. She cried often, realizing that her heart had already chosen him. On her 28th day away, sitting at the airport, she checked his WhatsApp status—and there it was: a picture of the final note she had left him before her trip. She had written 30 notes, one for each day she’d be gone—and he had cherished everyone.
That was the moment. She called him right then, and they reconnected with full hearts and open arms.
In April 2024, Betsy returned home and moved into her old apartment—this time, with Omelio by her side. Their love grew deeper, rooted in mutual respect, faith, and the courage to try again.
Exactly one year later, in April 2025, they were married in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by neighbors, co-workers, and community members, many of whom had watched their love story unfold from day one. The celebration wasn’t just a wedding; it was a testament to everything they had overcome.
Today, Omelio is not only fluent in English—he was the first graduate in his Speexx group—but he is also a respected team member, he earned his role model worker status and now, a devoted husband. From a stranger in a new country to a shining example of perseverance and purpose, his transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary.
And this is exactly what we do at Goodwill.
We don’t just help people find jobs.
We help them find themselves.
We create the space for hope to grow.
We witness love blossom where hardship once lived.
We watch strangers become family.
At Goodwill, this is why we do what we do.
