My Story: Ashley
When Ashley Harp joined Goodwill 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.
As part of the WorkFirst program, Goodwill team members have access to wraparound supports including one-on-one coaching sessions, paid training and development opportunities, funding towards educational programs, and funding for personal laptops.
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’s WorkFirst program for playing a pivotal role in her career journey. “I learned how to navigate a workplace and build skills and confidence—not just for my current job, but for other employers.”
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 support people need to build their careers.
“Goodwill as a whole has been the support I needed in my life.”
Ashley, WorkFirst Graduate