At Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia, stories of growth and opportunity unfold every day. One of the most inspiring is Page’s. Many viewers may remember her from last year when she shared how she started her journey as a textile hanger, discovered her passion for work, and took pride in learning new skills. This year, we are proud to showcase just how far she has come. Page is now thriving in her next career step as a cashier, building on everything she learned through supported employment and Goodwill Academy training.
Page’s story highlights the power of workforce development, inclusive hiring, and the life-changing impact of Goodwill’s mission: changing lives and helping people help themselves through the power of work.
Page’s Journey Begins with Confidence and Support
When Page first joined Goodwill, she worked as a textile hanger, preparing clothing for the sales floor by tagging and pricing items on Z racks. She arrived every morning with excitement and purpose. Her laughter, her positive attitude, and her commitment to doing her best made an immediate impression on her team.
Page works with the support of a Skills Trainer. Through daily coaching, goal setting, and structured learning opportunities, she built confidence in her ability to take on new tasks. Her trainer describes her as someone who learns quickly and lights up the workplace with her energy. Page has shared that she has Down syndrome, and while that is part of her story, she never allows it to define who she is or what she can accomplish.
Supported employment gave her the space to grow at her own pace. It allowed her to gain meaningful experience, develop her strengths, and build the foundation she needed for bigger opportunities ahead.
Growing Beyond Her First Role
In last year’s video, Page talked about how much she loved hanging textiles, greeting her coworkers, and contributing to the team. She also shared how much she valued her then skills trainer, Rhiannon, who supported her through challenges and celebrated every milestone.
Over the months that followed, Page began showing interest in expanding her responsibilities. She wanted to learn more about the work happening around her. She learned to tag her own items. She learned how to manage Z racks on her own. And eventually, she set her sights on something new.
She wanted to become a cashier.
Page Takes the Next Step Through Goodwill Academy
Once Page expressed interest in learning cashier skills, Goodwill helped her take the next step. She enrolled in Goodwill Academy, where she completed hands-on training in customer service, technology, and store operations. She worked closely with her store leaders to build the skills needed to succeed at the register.
With incredible determination, Page completed her training and joined the front end as a cashier. Today, she rings up purchases, answers questions, helps customers, promotes Round Up donations, and offers the customer experience Goodwill is known for.
Her leaders describe her as perky, positive, and genuinely dedicated to giving shoppers a great experience. Customers say the same. One customer review shared, “Page is an absolute delight. She gets to know her shoppers, is so polite and helpful, and gives the best fist bumps when you round up.” Another wrote that she is one of the most positive people they have ever met in retail.
Why Page’s Story Matters
For many individuals with disabilities, finding meaningful employment can be challenging. Page’s journey shows how the right support, the right environment, and the right opportunities can make a lasting difference. At Goodwill, we believe in helping people gain confidence, build skills, and reach their personal and professional goals. Page is a powerful example of what happens when someone is encouraged to grow on their own terms.
Supported employment provides structure, coaching, and stability. It is a process that allows individuals to learn at the pace that works best for them. As Page’s team notes, the results speak for themselves. Page has put down deep roots, blossomed in her career, and become a valued member of the Goodwill family.
Goodwill’s Mission in Action
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia has served this region since 1923 with a commitment to strengthening communities through the power of work. We provide job training, employment coaching, credentialing opportunities, and real-world work experience for people with disabilities and others who face barriers to employment.
Page’s journey reflects the heart of this mission. Her success represents what can happen when individuals are given access to growth, training, and a supportive workplace.
Looking Ahead
Page’s story does not end here. She continues to challenge herself, learn new things, and bring joy to everyone she meets. Her determination and positivity are proof that when people believe in their own potential, they can accomplish extraordinary things.
We are proud to support Page as she continues to grow, and we are grateful for the shoppers and donors who make opportunities like hers possible. Every purchase and every donation helps fund training programs that change lives across central and coastal Virginia.
To learn more about Page’s journey and the mission that fuels stories like hers, visit our YouTube channel to watch both of her videos and follow more inspiring updates from our team.
