TODAYS NEWS
A Loss in the Goodwill Family
September 5, 2008
Last night, the Goodwill family lost two employees due to a senseless act of street violence. Matthew Solomon and Noel Espinoza were celebrating their accomplishments in the Mission District on Thursday, September 5th when this shooting took place.
“Goodwill gave me a chance to change,” Matthew Solomon said recently. “When I came to Goodwill in August 2007 I was on parole, homeless, and hardly involved with my two children. I was like a part-time father that wandered in and out of their lives.”
He began with Goodwill as a Transitional Employee in the wares department in August 2007. After one month, Matthew took the initiative at a Job Fair held here at Goodwill and applied to become a Pricer on staff. In this role he kept track of the inventory for the wares department. After being a Pricer for five months, Matthew was promoted again, this past March, to be a Material Handler. In this role, he delivered all the sorted donations to each department in the warehouse and he helped price and ship the furniture.
Matthew was out with Noel celebrating how far he has come since starting at Goodwill. “Working here has helped me become a man,” said Matthew. “Now I can provide for my sons, Jayvion and Makai, the right way. Now that I’ve changed my life around, I can be a positive role model for them. Goodwill made me become a real father - a father who takes on full responsibility.”
Matthew died as a result of his injuries. He leaves his two sons behind
Noel Espinoza came to Goodwill as a Transitional Employee in March 2008. After only three months as a Transitional Employee, he was hired as a Pricer in May.
Noel was very proud of the dramatic changes he made in his life, especially being drug-free. “The other day I took a voluntary drug test just so I could show my mom the results,” he said recently. “She was so proud!”
“Noel has a great attitude, and he takes a lot of initiative,” said Processing Manager Jackie Hom recently. “He works as a team player and he is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
Noel said, “At Goodwill I’ve learned how to have a good attitude about any project assigned to me. I’ve realized I have some talents and skills I’d never thought of – now I see that I’m capable of much more than selling drugs on the street.”
Noel also died as a result of his injuries.
We will feel Matthew and Noel’s loss in so many ways. If you are interested in making a donation to either or both families we have set up a special account. Contributions can be made to either the Matthew Fund or the Noel Fund c/o Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin, 1500 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94104. Attention: Vince DeVictor.
Our prayers are with Matthew and Noel’s and families.
Click here to read Matthew’s story. (July 25, 2008)
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