Irmastene Clarke was inspired to pursue a career in caretaking after her experience looking after her grandmother following her mother’s passing. Driven to overcome a period of depression after her loss and motivated by a desire to be better, she set an ambitious goal: to buy her first home and fulfill her passion.

Her path forward came through Goodwill’s Career and Training Center, where she enrolled in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. She was surprised and thrilled to learn that Goodwill paid for the entire program, which could be completed in just four to five weeks.

The CNA certification was critical to achieving her goal. By saving money on tuition and earning the credentials to secure her career, she was able to accelerate her savings and move closer to buying her first home.

Irmastene credits her success to Goodwill for providing the resources, but also emphasizes that you must “have the drive to do it and determine your success by achieving your own goals.” Her commitment to rising above and dedication to hard work led to her being rewarded with Goodwill’s 2025 Bill Hummers Mission Impact Award.

She is now planning to further her career by completing her studies in phlebotomy. 

If you’re inspired by success stories like Irmastene’s and want to help make a difference in the lives of individuals seeking a career and independence, visit our donate page and be a vital part of the Goodwill mission!