A Mission Moment

Rodney Brooks
Environmental Science Instructor

This Mission Moment highlights Goodwill of Greater Washington’s service value commitment. Rodney Brooks and the person searching for employment showed commitment to the fulfillment of our mission by being committed to his job as a Goodwill employee and a person committed to finding a job.

Rodney Brooks
Environmental Science Instructor

One day last summer, Goodwill’s usual receptionist was out of the office. When a man, “Tom”, came in inquiring about a job opportunity, the temporary receptionist was unable to answer his questions. Rodney happened to be walking up to the front desk at the time and offered to assist Tom.

As Tom was speaking, Rodney could tell he had a disability by the way he was communicating, and may face barriers in his job search. When Rodney and Tom were discussing the job application process and what opportunities might be available at Goodwill, Rodney decided to take Tom outside to analyze some of the challenges he faced and ways to overcome them.

Tom took the job application home and had his grandparents help him complete it. A week later he brought it back and Rodney helped him fill in the missing parts. After the application process was over Tom called Rodney everyday to see if there were any new opportunities. Each phone call was more than just about getting a job. Tom saw Rodney as a mentor.

If you have had the opportunity to know Rodney and his witness his ability to influence people in the right direction then you know how fortunate Tom was to have Rodney as a constructive role model.

After the Tom’s persistence, Rodney was able to introduce him to Mr. Long who used to be the Goodwill Janitorial Project Manager for The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). After the six week security process and efforts to obtain certain documents for the position, Tom still continued to call everyday for updates. Finally, the human resources department found a job that had opened up at a Goodwill contract site in Suitland, MD that was perfect for Tom!! He applied for the job and Goodwill hired Tom as a full time employee at the Army Research Lab.

Rodney was grateful to be able to assist Tom, and more importantly, this is but one example of how Rodney is dedicated to helping others. He sees it as giving back. Rodney remembers when he was not in a good position and was able to overcome his personal challenges through the help of others. To this day Tom still stays in touch with Rodney. He continues to use Goodwill as a career resource because his experiences have all been positive.

A Goodwill Moment is any time that someone experiences the power of Goodwill of Greater Washington’s mission.