“BEFORE COMING TO GOODWILL, I was figuring out my life and figuring out my sobriety.” Kaylyn Hosmer was referred to Goodwill’s LifeLaunch: IGNITE program. “My addiction recovery coaches at Fresh Coast Alliance told me about Goodwill and the IGNITE program and thought it could help me.”

Goodwill Career Coach Joe Gordon saw something special about Kaylyn from the beginning. “Kaylyn has a strong desire to succeed. She had hit bottom a few times in her young life already and was determined not to go back there,” Joe said.

“My life was pretty rocky. I was trying to stay sober, maintain my mental health, and find a job,” Kaylyn said. “I ultimately needed to get my life back on track. My biggest barrier before coming to Goodwill was knowing my self-worth. I was struggling with depression and drug addiction. Coming to Goodwill really helped me believe in myself.”

Goodwill provided Kaylyn with a temporary paid work experience that acclimated her to a workplace setting and helped her learn to work as a member of a team. “Before coming to Goodwill I didn’t know how to hold on to a real job. Struggling on and off with my sobriety, working a job was always on my terms. I never thought about looking at it from the employer’s point of view, but Goodwill helped me with that,” said Kaylyn. “Goodwill loved on me and helped guide me. They listened when I had problems and needed to talk with someone.”

Goodwill assisted Kaylyn in securing a job in food service. “I love to work with people. I don’t think I could survive long term at a job that wasn’t people centered,” Kaylyn said. “Goodwill also helped me with paying my rent at the sober living house so I could still work and save money,” Kaylyn said. “And they helped me learn how to budget and set up a financial plan which was very helpful.”

“Goodwill was very supportive,” Kaylyn said. “My work was praised. I felt appreciated and valued. The IGNITE program gave me a career plan and showed me that what I wanted was possible. I discovered that what I want is to be a social worker; primarily, a recovery coach.”

Kaylyn enrolled at Muskegon Community College to get the education she needs to fulfill her dream. She recently accepted a job as a recovery technician at Our Hope Association in Grand Rapids.

“I love the fact that I will be able to make an impact on someone's life,” Kaylyn said. “I'm in the same position someone else was in helping me. Now it's my chance to help someone else. Goodwill helped me realize my worth and know what skills I bring to the table and how to use those skills to market myself. They led me in the right direction and I would recommend anyone lost in life to try Goodwill.”