Dealing with life-long issues had made it difficult for Sue to successfully compete in the local labor market. But she wasn’t going to stop trying.

She was referred to Goodwill with the goal of identifying the marketable skills she had that could fit a job in the community. Through her Work Adjustment Training, she and her team determined that Sue had proficient use of her hands to do clerical work and industrial sewing. She entered the Extended Employment Program and proved to be a skilled and dependable worker in Goodwill’s industrial sewing department, until it was closed in 2005. Since then, Sue has been able to continue her industrial sewing, working part-time for a local manufacturer. She has also been employed at local businesses, doing clerical work such as collating and mailing. 

Sue also works at Goodwill’s main facility, processing textile items for resale in Goodwill’s stores. As is typical of Goodwill’s workers, Sue’s supervisor describes her as hardworking and dedicated to her job.

“I enjoy working at Goodwill and in the community,” said Sue, who lives in Duluth with her husband. “I’m trying to support myself.”