In this acceptance speech, Rashad Jones recounts his journey from a troubled past involving prison, drug sales, and auto theft to becoming an operations manager of a $1.5 million‑a‑year company. He credits a pivotal moment when his wife urged him to contact Goodwill, which led to a job‑training program that launched his career. Over three years he earned three promotions, ultimately overseeing a sizable business. Rashad thanks Goodwill staff, his career coach, and mentors, and he emphasizes the importance of love, faith, and gratitude, urging others to use their words and stories to inspire change.
Chapters
I'm gonna go around and I'm gonna check the guys.
Morning, James. Morning, man.
I've had actually 3 promotions since I've been here.
My past was rough, in and out of prison, drug sales, auto theft.
It was rough. I was going down a dark, dark path.
Rashad says his wife changed his life when she told him to call Goodwill.
She was like, look up Goodwill. And that's at the moment where I said, honey, I don't need any clothes. And she was like, well, just give them a chance. They got a job thing. So I called the job area, and from that point on, it just took off for me.
I was Rashad's career coach. We can provide you with the knowledge. We can provide you with the tools that you need. But you have to have it in your heart to want more. And I think with Rashad, he wanted it more. He said, I'm never going back to the way I used to be.
I remember I signed up one day, started the class like a week later. Now 3 years now, now look at what I am. I'm operations manager of a $1.5 million a year company. Who would have ever thought that this kid would be running someone else's business for them? It was a life-changing thing for me. They saw something in me that I didn't see in myself.
Congratulations, Good Work recipient Rashad Jones.
How y'all doing this afternoon? God is good. I would like to thank Goodwill, Mr. Elder, Mr. Otto, Mr. Jordan. I could stand up here and just name names all day long. But Goodwill in general is an awesome place. They taught me a lot of confidence. I walked in the door with my head up. Now I don't know how to put my head down for anything. Through Goodwill, I've met a lot of wonderful people. I walk into Goodwill today and 20 people hugged me and I don't understand why. You got to understand that the power of your words to touch people and people learning of your story is often a way to help them to get to where they need to be. But I thank Goodwill. Goodwill is awesome. Y'all keep pushing and keep doing what you need to do. And last but not least, I need to thank my wife. She never took the torch from me. She said money does not lead this household; God does. In marriage, the man is the head of the household, and you have always been my backbone through everything. And I told you every time I get a chance in front of people to tell them how much I love you, I love you, and I appreciate you. And the best thing y'all got, and the best thing. that I've learned from my new walk in Christianity is the best thing I have to give anybody is love. And give it as much as you can, 'cause you never run out of it. It's free. All right, so this is what I'm telling— I love y'all. Y'all have a blessed day. Thank you very much.
