Page 22 - 2019 Delegate Assembly Conference

ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR:

Robert Frank

Robert Frank has found a job that makes him feel like his life has purpose,
and he has learned to read at age 65.

Robert had suffered severe physical and emotional abuse as a child,
including blows to the head that left him with a cognitive disability. He
struggled to find a job that made him feel useful.

“I thought I could do more, and something told me to go to Goodwill,”
he said. “My biggest goal is to be someone well-respected. Everybody at
Goodwill...is supportive of me.”

Robert enjoys cleaning, organizing and interacting with customers. At
the Goodwill store in Downers Grove, IL. He immediately impressed
his supervisor with his hard work, but she noticed that he had trouble
reading and writing. She referred him to a Goodwill Way Guide, who
printed worksheets and worked with Robert one-on-one. Soon he was
able to write price tags and fill out forms. At age 65, he read a book for
the first time.

“When you’re a nobody, then you become somebody,” he said, “that’s an
amazing feeling to have.”

20 20 Click here to watch his story.