OC Goodwill Program Supports Mirtha’s Career Goals
Mirtha is a recent graduate from Goodwill of Orange County’s General Office Clerk program. In this course, she was able to create an impactful cover letter and resume and develop professional communication and technical skills. She looks forward to applying her new job skills to achieve her career goals.
GoodLearning Academy classes can help you move forward and reach your employment goals—whether you’re new to the workforce or need to refresh your job skills. Goodwill of Orange County employees, program participants and community members, including veterans and their families, are welcome.
Name: Mirtha
Hobbies: Reading and collecting pictures of my granddaughter
What brought you to the General Office Clerk class?
The certification and other job opportunities
What are the essential skills that you learned in the class?
Fun things I can do with the computer and typing
What advice would you give someone who is looking to grow their career?
Take this class and keep on practicing typing
What is one of your favorite things about the class?
The ease it is to follow the teacher
What are your plans for the future?
To get a job where I can use what I learned
For additional information, please visit: https://www.ocgoodwill.org/training/
Purpose. Pride. Dignity.
These three words are the foundation that Goodwill of Orange County’s mission was built on more than 95 years ago. Making a donation to Goodwill helps fuel our mission and change lives in our community.
When an individual with a physical disability is given his or her chance to thrive in the workplace. When a mother earns a paycheck to provide for her family. When veterans seamlessly transition from the military into meaningful employment.
For every piece of clothing, furniture, or home goods collected and purchased, 94 cents of every dollar generated goes directly to dozens of programs and services for people facing barriers to employment, such as veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Last year, Goodwill of Orange County served more than 27,000 people and more than $41 million was earned by individuals employed with Goodwill’s help.
Purpose. We believe the power of work changes lives.
Last year, Ethan was selected to be part of Goodwill of Orange County’s Project SEARCH program, a one-year training and education program in partnership with UCI Medical Center for adults with autism that immerses them in the workplace.
Beyond the meaningful career-building skills Ethan learned, Project SEARCH gave him even greater gifts: confidence and self-esteem.
After graduation, Ethan was offered a part-time position at Bracken’s Kitchen in Irvine, an organization dedicated to providing quality food to individuals in Orange County facing poverty.
As part of the Bracken’s Kitchen team, he’s thriving. For Ethan, the power of work truly changed his life.
Pride. Your donations help veterans transition from their military mission to their civilian mission.
The Tierney Center for Veteran Services is a global approach to serving veterans and their families.
The Tierney Center team, many of them veterans themselves, provide not only employment and career counseling resources to assist veterans in finding employment to move towards economic independence and self-sufficiency; they also provide education services, housing assistance, healthcare and benefits resources, legal services and women veteran services.
Dignity. Your donations give individuals the opportunity to achieve their highest levels of personal independence.
Goodwill’s Rogers A. Severson Fitness and Technology Center is Orange County’s only facility specially designed for people suffering from chronic illnesses and physical disabilities.
Goodwill’s Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) provides assistive technology services and solutions, while supplying more than 1,000-state-of-the-art technology devices to individuals with disabilities of all ages, their families and employers.
You can have peace of mind knowing your donations are being used with purpose. Goodwill of Orange County has consecutively earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, for its sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency.
Goodwill of OC also diverts more than 13 million pounds from landfills and its Recycling Center has earned the Responsible Recycling (R2) industry-standard certification for electronic scrap management.
Donating your gently used goods is not the only way to spread the good this holiday season. A financial contribution is critical to fulfilling our mission. Making a financial investment in Goodwill’s mission is making an investment in Orange County.
Create goodwill by donating your gently used items to your local Goodwill store and donation center today. To find a location near you, please visit: 
“I believe very much that we need to not only meet the basic needs and educational needs of our kids, but we need to make sure that they have the ability to have inspired passions and things that they care about that are meaningful to them and poverty takes that ability away.”– Jennifer Friend, Sharing Goodwill Episode Two.
Good news, inspiring news, uplifting news – that’s what Sharing Goodwill is all about. In each episode, Goodwill of Orange County President and CEO Nicole Suydam will chat with an individual who is doing good for their community, for their network or for their family.
Episode two of Sharing Goodwill is currently available on the platforms listed below! In this episode, Nicole Suydam chats candidly with Jennifer Friend, CEO of Project Hope Alliance, a local nonprofit that is ending the cycle of homelessness in Orange County, one child at a time. Jennifer shares her own background being in and out of homelessness as a young girl and what motivates and inspires her to help so many other children who experience exactly what she experienced. Thank you for tuning in to Sharing Goodwill!
Listen now on Spreaker: 
BEWITCHED
Pair a simple black dress with a witch’s hat and striped tights for a spellbinding look!
MYSTICAL MADNESS
Peasant dresses, floral crowns and crystal balls will help make all your mystical dreams come true this Halloween!
IF LOOKS COULD KILL
Who said that old prom or bridesmaid dresses can’t have a second life? Pair it with a sparkly mask and boa for a drop-dead gorgeous look!
ARRR, MATEY!
Ruffle shirts, leather clothing and an eye patch will have you saying yo ho, yo ho – a pirate’s life for me!
Additional themes available in Goodwill of Orange County stores include Day of the Dead, Funhouse, Steam Punk and Zombie!
We hope you have a safe and fun night full of frights and sweet delights! Be sure to tag us in your #OCGoodwill costumes using the hashtag #ItCameFromGoodwill.
Happy Halloween!
Over the next few years, Natalie continued to accomplish remarkable goals; proving her medical diagnosis wrong. Her independence grew as she learned to drive with hand controls, work her first job as a receptionist at the Goodwill Fitness Center and attend college at the University of Southern California. She moved to on-campus housing at USC, where she lived on her own for the first time. In 2015, Natalie graduated from USC with her Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations.
Following graduation, Natalie found her calling working with Dr. Daniel Amen of Amen Clinics. Natalie juggles a variety of responsibilities at the Amen Clinic, including all public relations and social media efforts. She frequently travels with Dr. Amen to speaking engagements and is a vital member of their team.
When she is not working, Natalie enjoys taking her dog to the park, reading poetry and filming videos for her YouTube channel. Her channel is dedicated to educating and inspiring others living with spinal cord injuries. Natalie recently got engaged to her boyfriend of 6 years, Grady and is looking forward to their future together. Congratulations, Natalie!
For more than a decade, the Goodwill of Orange County Rogers A. Severson Fitness & Technology Center has helped people, like Natalie, living with a physical disability or chronic illness achieve their highest degree of physical independence. With specialized equipment, inclusive fitness classes and knowledgeable personal trainers, the extraordinary 12,000-square-foot center provides everything individuals need to improve strength, cardiovascular conditioning, coordination and mobility.
At Goodwill, we believe in the power of work.
At the Goodwill Fitness & Technology Center, we are equally inspired by the power of working out.
Goodwill of Orange County’s Rogers A. Severson Fitness & Technology Center is located at 1601 E. St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
To learn more or set up a tour, call 714-361-6180 x242 or visit: 
There are many defining characteristics of Blake. He is smart, kind and determined. His cerebral palsy is just one of several features that make him the person he is.
With a degree from Chapman University in Legal Studies and a drive to work, you would think it would be easy for Blake to find a job. However, he was struggling to find meaningful, long-term employment opportunities. But that all changed when he came to Goodwill of Orange County’s Employment First Program.
Through the help of encouragement of a Goodwill job coach, Blake interviewed for a position at File Depot in Garden Grove.
The interview went well and Blake was quickly offered the job!
Blake’s initial job responsibilities included preparing documents to be scanned by removing any paper clips, staples and binder clips. After a short time, Blake was trained to take on some additional tasks, including scanning those documents and creating files on the computer for each File Depot customer
It’s now been nearly two years of Blake working hard at File Depot. He has an exceptional record for attendance and arriving on time. He continues to exceed expectations.
File Depot has also changed his personal life tremendously. Blake had lived in a group home for most of his life, with dreams of one day having his own place. Without a stable job and steady paycheck, Blake never qualifies.
Since Blake has now been able to prove that he has employment and a consistent salary, he was approved to get his own apartment. He received the keys earlier this year, moved in and is now enjoying a greater level of independence! 
GETTING CATTY
Leopard is a timeless print that reigns the fashion jungle during the fall season. From sweaters to dresses and accessories, this trend is perfect for the office or date night!
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
Your outerwear sets the tone for your entire outfit. So, whether you go for a structured trench coat or a knitted cape, make sure it expresses your overall look!
DRIPPING IN JEWELS
From emerald green to sapphire blue and amethyst purple, jewel tones add a luxe pop of color to any fall outfit. We love the faux fur detailing on the sleeves of this teal sweater and paired with these leather pants? It’s the perfect fall look!
Interested in more fall fashion trends? Check out Beth Jones of B. Jones Style’s latest 
Miles is a capable, driven young man, who at 30 years old, wanted to work, but was having no luck finding employment. He did not view his cerebral palsy as a limitation, but many of the employers he was interviewing with did.
That all changed in 2015 when he met Jay and Sammer, the owners of RE/MAX Prestige, a local residential real estate company. They sensed Miles’ desire and drive to work and gave him the opportunity to join the team in their Costa Mesa office.
Miles quickly exceeded expectations, performing many office tasks efficiently and effortlessly. Jay and Sammer noticed, and continued to give Miles additional tasks and responsibilities.
Earlier this month, after four years at the company, Miles was promoted to Office Manager. It’s a huge responsibility – one that Miles is not only capable of handling, but one that he is proud to do every day.