Darryl Baines arrived in Seneca on February 4, 2025, facing a daunting challenge: he needed both a job and a place to live after moving from Georgia and living in hotels.

His first stop, the Seneca Goodwill Career and Training Center (CTC), proved to be a turning point. Through their support, Darryl received a crucial community referral to local nonprofit, Our Daily Rest, where he was successfully able to enroll in their transitional housing program. This essential step provided him with the stability he needed to focus on his career search.

Being new to the Oconee, SC area, Darryl utilized the CTC’s resources to learn about major local employers and gain access to computers to complete applications. Crucially, the career and counseling services at Goodwill empowered Darryl to take a more proactive and direct approach in contacting employers.

Darryl’s hard work and determination paid off! He secured a fantastic new role through Volt, working at Schneider Electric and earning $16.75 per hour.

Reflecting on his experience, Darryl shared, “Thank you Goodwill for supporting the local community and being there for people like me who need a ‘hand up, not a hand out.’”

If you’re inspired by success stories like Darryl's and want to help make a difference in the lives of individuals seeking a career and independence, visit goodwillsc.org/give-online and be a vital part of the Goodwill mission!