Meet Ashley
When Ashley Harp joined Goodwill’s WorkFirst program 13 years ago, she was a single mother of two navigating social assistance while seeking an employment opportunity where she could grow her professional experience and skills.
By the time she graduated from Goodwill 2023, she turned the opportunity into a career supporting others like her as an Employee Coach, connecting team members to resources within Goodwill and the community to reach their personal and professional goals.
“It’s amazing,” Ashley says. “I learned how to navigate a workplace and build skills and confidence—not just for my current job, but for other employers.”
Today, Ashley works in social services, fulfilling her passion for uplifting community members experiencing hardship.
“This is about giving people tools and support,” she says. “I’ve been passionate about helping people overcome barriers. I navigated social assistance as a single mom and saw those barriers firsthand.”
Ashley credits Goodwill and the WorkFirst program for playing a pivotal role in her career journey. “Goodwill as a whole has been the support I needed in my life.”
Stories like Ashley’s are why the recent $525,000 investment from the RBC Foundation is so impactful. This funding will allow the WorkFirst program to reach even more individuals while providing paid work experience, skills training, and the wraparound supports people need to build their careers.
Read more in the London Free Press.
Stay tuned to hear more stories from WorkFirst participants whose lives have been transformed and join us in celebrating what’s ahead as this program grows.