Goodwill Volunteers: Woodall

 8/19/2014

'Making a Difference'

By A.J. Woodall, (ResourceMFG)

A.J. Woodall is a volunteer at Goodwill Job Connection. (Photo illustration)

I was recently placed by my temp agency to be a volunteer at Goodwill® Job Connection on Southwest Boulevard, Tulsa. Little did I know that, not only would I be able to help people as a volunteer, but I’ve touched people’s lives as well!

My first assignment was to make phone calls to follow up on clients’ job searches. I thought, “Just call people and ask them if they’ve found a job,” but after hearing some of their stories, I really “connected” with these people and heard about what they’ve gone through in life to be where they are.

Life isn’t always fair and I’m not one to judge since everyone has bumps and bruises as they endure life’s adventures and travels. Sometimes life’s “speed bumps” just appear and it is what it is. Life Just Happens!

Recently, I took the approach of asking clients to “come in and get a little more help” in their job searches in addition to checking on their job search. Recently, a few clients came in after speaking on the phone with them, just to meet me face to face and say, “Thanks, A.J.! You made a difference!” and to me, that makes ALL the difference in just “having a job” and “making a difference” in people’s lives.

What I’ve heard the last few days from these clients has made this “job” more meaningful to where you just can’t put a price on what I’m doing here at Goodwill! It makes me glad I am here. It’s worth it! All things and all people can be put to good work in God’s perfect plan and I’m honored to be part of the Goodwill experience, even if it’s not permanent.