When Auburn came to Goodwill three years ago, she was a new mom looking for a stable place to rebuild her life. After her daughter was born, she was referred through the WIC program and interviewed for a position at the Goodwill store closest to where she lived. What she found when she walked through the backroom doors that day surprised her.
“It felt like organized chaos in the best way. I had never seen anything like it. I knew I wanted to work here,” she said.
She was hired as a Sales Associate at 25 and from day one, the mix of creativity, movement and community felt different from anywhere she had worked before. In just three years, Auburn’s steady growth and passion for her team led her to earn several promotions. Today she serves as an Assistant Store Lead.
Growing Through Change
Goodwill supported Auburn during some of the biggest transitions of her life. While adjusting to motherhood, she also began prioritizing her health. The daily activity of the job helped her lose 100 pounds. She says the affordable clothing made a real difference for both her and her daughter.
“Kids grow out of everything so fast. And I was going through my own changes too. Being able to find good clothes, feel like myself and not feel guilty about the cost was huge. And I could donate it all right back. Nothing was wasted.”
The sustainability piece became something she cared deeply about. She often reminds donors that their items still have value and that donating truly gives them another life.
People Who Show Up for Each Other
What Auburn talks about most is the people. Her coworkers, the regular customers and the donors who walk through the door all shaped her experience.
“I have made real friends here. When I was going through a hard time, one of my managers even took me in so I wouldn’t lose my job. She didn’t have to do that. She just cared. That’s the kind of people I have around me here.”
Auburn has also learned how personal some donations can be. She has stood with customers who were letting go of items from loved ones and offered comfort when they needed someone to acknowledge their grief.
“Sometimes you just have to say, I see you. And you can tell it means something to them that their items will be treated with respect and given another life.”
