Goodwill, Great Heart

By Caro Hernandez, Project Facilitator

This past week, Goodwill Industries of South Florida invited YES Institute to engage in community dialogue about how gender and orientation topics show up in their workplace environment. Over 50 staff members including managers, nurses, job placement professionals and client service personnel from the Miami-Dade and Broward County locations were in attendance.

Miami Goodwill staff packed the room

Once the conversation began, we heard how profoundly these topics impacted the personal and professional lives of many of the people in the room. One employee shared that among her family of eight brothers and sisters, her parents and siblings rejected one of her brothers because he identifies as gay. Speaking through her tears, she relayed how she is the only family member that speaks to him and how heavy this conflict weighs on her heart.

Staff had many questions for Sky about employment

A job placement specialist inquired about resources for their clients who might identify as transgender. They said, “I was so embarrassed to ask one client, ‘Are you a he or she?’ We don’t have a lot of education on transgender,” even though several employees are noticing a rise in the number of clients with this experience. Others noted that while Goodwill strives to be understanding and welcome, the workplaces they refer their job placement clients to have little understanding of gender transitioning.

“I’ve learned that I need a group like this. Being a veteran, my beliefs have evolved and I hope for the better. Meeting people who are gay and transgender has changed my life.”      –Goodwill participant

The dialogue was a powerful new beginning in empowering the Miami Goodwill community towards an even more inclusive and welcoming workplace. We look forward to continued conversations and collaborative efforts.

“I have been a very open person in all respects, but now I know that not everybody is as open as I am. I learned today that I shouldn't disregard people that do not have my same point of view.”       –Goodwill participant