Meet Alberto

“Goodwill has given me hope – now I see what I want to do, where I want to go. I can help my family.”
– Alberto, Goodwill Excel Center Graduate

Alberto grew up in Guatemala and studied to become a teacher. But the bottom fell out of the economy; there were no jobs. He couldn’t afford to pay for the certification to continue his career. He was at a loss. After traversing Central America, a three month long trek by foot, he arrived in Austin and stayed with a cousin. But by moving to the United States, he’d lost his educational credentials. He wouldn’t be teaching any classes here.

Alberto worked odd jobs for several years and in that time met his wife and had two children. He realized that he needed to learn English so that he could advance himself and his family. He lamented that he had no school credentials, not even a high school diploma. Then he heard about The Goodwill Excel Center and the ESL classes they provide, and began to attend both regularly.

It quickly became a family affair. Not only did he enroll, so did his wife, Nancy. They’d both go to their classes, study together in between, and their kids would stay at the in-school child-care center. They’d even have their family meals together at the school. Alberto knew he would make it. He said to himself, “My whole family will benefit from this. You are not alone.”

Before graduating, Alberto thought there were no opportunities for him to further his career; that things could never change for the better. Now? “I want to improve my English, yes. But I want to go to college. I want a career. Now I can do these things.”

He adds, “A lot of people are waiting for this opportunity, and may have different barriers than me. If you are waiting to get a little help, Goodwill can help you. Right now.”