Darla had a long and successful career in the Oil and Gas industry. However, instead of planning for retirement, she began misusing company credit cards for personal gain. A company audit uncovered years of discrepancies and she was fired. Eventually she was convicted and sentenced to time in a federal women’s prison. Those were dark days for her. She lost her home, family, and friends and even contemplated suicide.
When Darla transitioned from prison back into the workforce, she learned about the free programs Goodwill Houston offers to people with employment barriers. It was an event that would change her life. She was soon hired as a sorter in the La Porte store and in the months that followed, Darla moved up to a new position as a Community Resource Navigator. Her hard work and dedication paid off with several more promotions. Today, Darla is Goodwill Houston’s Community Mission Integration and Connect Manager—working to connect Goodwill Houston’s mission to all aspects of its operation.
Since her own life was changed by Goodwill, Darla has made it her mission to promote the organization to everyone she meets. She feels strongly that her story can give hope to others who are facing their own barriers to employment. Darla now connects others with job search and assistance programs and credits Goodwill with giving her dignity and hope to rebuild her life. Darla says, “Goodwill has given her a second chance when others wouldn’t.”