Career Path Continues to Evolve for 2016 Award Winner

Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, Inc. (“Goodwill”), in an update on a remarkable Goodwill participant, is proud to share that Sam Huff, Goodwill’s 2016 Graduate of the Year, is fulfilling his dream of self-sufficiency through meaningful employment.

Sam was referred to Goodwill by the Department of Veterans Affairs – after his service was complete, he needed help with the “soft skills” necessary to get and keep a good job. Things like getting along with others in a workplace setting; keeping an appropriate professional appearance; and seeing stressful situations as opportunities, not obstacles. These skills are among those taught in a Goodwill program called Work Adjustment, in which Goodwill staff and the job seeker set vocational goals, assess skills and establish strategies for improvement.

“He built confidence here, and friendship…that’s what we do here; we meet people where they’re at, and we just build them up,” said Tanya Clift, then Program Specialist for Goodwill, who worked directly with Sam.

In Sam’s case, he gained the training and determination to pursue a career in trucking, and now he’s employed full time for a large food purveyor. Sam travels all over Ohio, while still enjoying quality time with his son – his true inspiration.