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Every ship needs a captain, and at Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, a talented group keeps our stores afloat. While Goodwill’s mission is to provide jobs, training, and education for employees, we still strive towards high standards for customer service. We believe everyone, given the opportunity to grow, can rise magnificently to the occasion and do a knock-out job at Goodwill every single day. Our hefty job training that offers development of skills to use on the job and at home are why our store managers, many of whom start out as entry-level employees, blossom into the leaders they are today.

Goodwill prides itself on providing job opportunities to people that can face barriers to employment, like the formerly incarcerated or disabled folks. Many of our employees have come from individual hardship. The diversity of their life experiences enriches and amplifies our mission.

More Than Job Skills

Manager Adrienne Perry, leader at the Centre Street store in Ridgeland, talks about how Goodwill has gone far beyond teaching her job skills.

“(Goodwill) gave me that motivation I needed to just believe in myself, that I could actually do good in my life,” she said. “They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. It’s like a family here. It’s like they’re always here when I need them to be here for me. I’m just forever thankful for them to give me another opportunity in my life because I always felt like I wasn’t good enough for anything.”

Perry says having the chance to work at Goodwill changed her life for the better. “ I had anger issues. I was insecure about who I was as a person and my character. Goodwill helped me get through that because they pointed out things to me that i needed to work on in my life for the company, and it really balanced me out,” she said. “They did not turn their back on me. I love Goodwill. I get choked up. When my mom, my dad, my family didn’t believe in me, they gave me a second chance at life. I’m happy now. It’s just perfect.”

Donate, Shop, Change a Life

Our customers create those opportunities. Items you donate result in jobs for the workers that handle, sort, stock, and check out the merchandise. When you shop at Goodwill, you do more than just get quality items for stellar prices. You open the door to someone’s chance to reenter society.  You help members of your community experience the dignity that they may have struggled to find their entire lives. You help alleviate the strain on our environment by buying and giving away products that might otherwise pollute overflowing landfills. And you create leaders who inspire their staff and customers with positivity and excellent service.

We’re all an important part of this cycle. As you get to know our store managers, know that they serve not only as community leaders but stewards of positive change themselves.

Stop in at your nearest Goodwill of Mississippi store on Friday, February 9, 2018 to say hello to the store manager and enjoy a day of fun, prizes, and more!

Nikki Reed,  Manager of Crossgates in Pearl

When did you start?: April 2015 as a cashier. “My sister Adrienne worked for Goodwill and introduced me to the company. My first year of working for Goodwill, I was promoted to assistant manager, and my second year, I was promoted to manager.”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: Working with vocational rehab services. “My facility is more client-based. I have a lot of clients who have disabilities. I enjoy working with them, trying to train them and get them ready for the real world.”

Best Goodwill Find?: A $3,000 bed. “It was brand new!”

Kim Edwards, Manager of E-commerce in Clinton

When Did You Start?: 6 years ago as an entry-level employee

Best Goodwill Find?: Old video game systems, valuable antiques. “People just don’t realize how much something’s worth, and they donate it, and have no idea that they donated something so special.”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: “The people. My coworkers. The customers. Meeting all kinds of different people. It’s interesting. We all come from different backgrounds, so it’s interesting to see where other people have come from and where they end up going.”

 

Kim Gattis, Manager of Goodwill Clinton

Where Did You Start?: October 9, 2017 as manager. “I happened to see the ad for Goodwill, and put in the application because I have a family member in Washington State who works for Goodwill, and he loves it.”

Best Goodwill Find?: “A dining room table and chairs that sold for $1200. It was gorgeous. We get a lot of designer clothes, shoes, purses—you name it.”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: “It’s been great. It’s a really, really great community.”

 

Trell Gatlin, Manager of Goodwill in Hattiesburg

When did you start?:  May 2016, as store manager.

What’s your favorite part of working at Goodwill?: Being able to make a difference in someone’s life. “When you’re not only making a difference for our employees, but also for our customers. Just being able to support everybody, the wealthy, the impoverished, all those people by being able to offer them top quality merchandise at these prices.”

Best Goodwill find: A Rolex watch. “It went straight to E-commerce!”

Jennifer Ogden, Manager of Metro Goodwill in Jackson

Where Did You Start?: March, 2012 as a donations attendant and sorter

Best Goodwill Find?: “I was on my way home to Mobile and was headed to look at my mother and in the Hattiesburg store I found a beautiful Dooney and Burke purse. And I promise I’ve carried that purse for 4 years since I’ve found it! I paid $25 for it. It’s my favorite Goodwill purchase ever!”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: Empowerment. “The people, and that it’s helped me see what people can do. The barrier becomes so much smaller when you can focus on your abilities as opposed to your disabilities. I know that I am worthy, and I have a valuable contribution to make to my community and to the other people that Goodwill serves. What Goodwill gave to me and what I stayed at Goodwill for is they saw potential in me when I didn’t see it in myself. Goodwill gave me not just an opportunity, but their confidence in me allowed me to build my own self-esteem and that is what I was lacking. And I’m glad today to give that same blessing to the next person.”

 

Deloris Kingdom, Manager of Highway 51 Goodwill in Ridgeland

Where Did You Start?: August 24, 2015, as entry-level employee

Best Goodwill Find?: “Being able to help someone is the best treasure of all.”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: My favorite part of working with Goodwill, I would have to say, is the employees as well as the customers. I’m horrible with names, but I remember everybody’s face. Greeting customers with kindness warms and soothes the atmosphere. They like to feel welcomed where they spend their money. If everybody has such a positive attitude, then they continue to come back—along with the good treasures they find.

 

Andrea Banks, Manager of Jacksonian Plaza

Starting Date: November 26, 2017, as manager

Best Goodwill Find?: Archie Comic Books. “But I actually got a generator in… I didn’t think anyone would donate that!”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: “I love the back room. You can see everything. It’s exciting. There’s always something new. I love greeting people. So I guess I’m all the way around!”

 

Adrienne Perry, Manager of Centre Street Goodwill, Ridgeland

Where Did You Start?: February 2012, as entry-level employee

Best Goodwill Find?: a signed Salvador Dali print, which sold for $5,000 on e-commerce

Motto: Always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

What’s Your Favorite Part of Working at Goodwill?: “They gave me that motivation I needed to just believe in myself that I could actually do good in my life. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. It’s like a family here. It’s like they’re always here when I need them to be here for me. I’m just forever thankful for them to give me another opportunity in my life because I always felt like I wasn’t good enough for anything. I had anger issues, I was insecure about who I was as a person and my character, and Goodwill helped me get through that because they pointed out things to me that i needed to work on in my life for the company and it really balanced me out. They did not turn their back on me. I love Goodwill. I get choked up. When my mom, my dad, my family didn’t believe in me, they gave me a second chance at life. I’m happy now. It’s just perfect.”