Getting to know Goodwill of OC’s Client Services Manager Chris Stoner.
Name: Chris Stoner
Title: Client Services Manager
Years working at Goodwill of OC: 13
What is your favorite part about working at Goodwill?
Working with the people we serve not only gives me the opportunity to “pay forward” the kindnesses I have received in my life, but it also gives me the opportunity to learn something new every day. I continue to be surprised and amazed by the stories I hear, and the things I learn from the people we work with.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love taking care of my saltwater reef aquarium, carnivorous plants and, pet tarantulas. I love learning about the habitats and life cycles of some of these unique plants/animals that at first glance appear so alien to us. I’m also a huge fan of film (especially horror) and often go to screenings of older genre films in some of the revival theaters around Southern California.
What is your favorite Goodwill memory?
This is not so much a memory as it is a regular occurrence (and I know I’m not the only one here), but I just love visiting our participants in their work sites. It’s wonderful to see them all enjoying their work and the greeting that you get from groups of people you have worked with is priceless. Generally it’s a chorus of sunny “hellos” followed by updates on things that you have helped with. It’s just amazing taking a moment to see the type of impact that you have had and celebrating in the success of the people we serve. It never fails to just instantly put me in a great mood.
What’s your hidden talent?
I don’t know how “hidden” or how much “talent” is involved, but I do enjoy getting crafty and creative, especially around the holidays. One of my favorite things to do is building props and decorating around Halloween, here for our annual Participant Halloween dance, as well as other events in the community, and of course at home. Most of the storage at my house is filled to the brim with Halloween decorations and projects, it borders on obsession 🙂
To me, Goodwill means…
Opportunity. Goodwill provides participants the opportunity demonstrate their capabilities to themselves, employers, and the community around them. The culture here really supports this and those opportunities are often extended to our employees as well. I know I am very thankful for the opportunities I have been given at Goodwill. Sometimes just giving a person a chance that they haven’t gotten before makes all the difference.
Check back here for more in our Five Questions With series soon!
