Verna knew Goodwill Central Texas had thrift stores, but after encountering some financial difficulties and seeking assistance from Travis County, she soon found the true focus of Goodwill: transforming generations by empowering people through education, career training, and work.
Verna left the Navy many years ago and had explored various educational programs to expand her skills and set a new career path. However, she was unable to find anything that fit with a busy schedule of working and raising two children. After a counselor at Travis County referred her to Goodwill, she enrolled at the Goodwill Career & Technical Academy in the phlebotomy training program. “Everything I did before didn’t work. Now I believe that I wasn’t supposed to be in those programs; I was supposed to be here,” said Verna.
Verna’s desire to take care of others led her to the medical field. “I believe that’s my calling. I’ve been doing that ever since I was a little kid. I used to bandage up my dolls and my teddy bears and take care of them like I was their doctor.”
The six-week phlebotomy program gave Verna the training she needed to get a near-perfect score on her subsequent certification exam. She was even hired before she completed her training. Said Verna, “Once I added that I was pending certification as a phlebotomist on my resume, I was hired!” She now works for a mobile medical testing firm and says it’s a very rewarding job.
“We go to different cities and provide various health screenings. It’s so very important to get these tests.”
Verna said Goodwill has made a huge difference in her life and is making it possible for her to achieve things she never thought she would be able to achieve. “I just want everyone to know how grateful and how thankful I am that I was able to do this training for free.”
She always makes sure to tell everyone she can about Goodwill Central Texas. “People need to know more about Goodwill because they need to know how much it helps. Now I know how life-changing Goodwill is.”
