Rodney Walker was living at the Salvation Army’s Mabee Center shelter when he was referred to the Goodwill Works program in August 2021. Earlier that year, Walker had been shot in the stomach and his body was still recovering. A butcher by trade, Walker was walking with a cane and frustrated that he was unable to do physical labor yet.
Walker was at a loss as to where to go, due to his physical limitations and other barriers to employment including a criminal background. When he met with the Goodwill Works Intake Specialist, he was reassured that Goodwill could assist him, as long as he put in the time and effort.
Goodwill’s Employment Specialist helped him make an account on Indeed and build a resume. Using this resume, Walker and his Job Placement Specialist applied to several jobs where he could work the drive-thru window while seated. He got not one, but two jobs, a part-time position at 7-Eleven and another working full-time at Schlotzsky’s.
Even though Walker did not enjoy these jobs, he knew that they were just a stepping-stone for him to get back into butchering once his body recovered. Following his recovery, Walker was hired as a Meat Cutter at Albertsons. Today, Walker has retained employment with Albertsons for more than 90 days and has successfully completed the Goodwill Works program.
Less than a year ago, Walker was lying alone in a hospital bed, unable to move his lower body, frustrated with how long it was taking his body to recover. Today, he has found his own place and hopes to continue moving up in his career as his body grows stronger and stronger. Even though he has been the one to get up every day and persevere, Walker says that the staff at Salvation Army and Goodwill were the ones who gave him the strength to do so.