by Lydia Patterson and Cal Miller
Lydia Patterson, who was helped by the Goodwill's head injury program, and has gone on to better her community.
The Goodwill’s Programs
What You Might Not Know about the Goodwill
Imagine you have a successful career on Wall Street for one of the largest financial institutions in the world. You have received awards and recognition not only from your business peers but also from your community. You are also fortunate to have a beautiful home and a loving family. Image on a cold day in January 1990, you leave work, begin to drive home and are struck in a head-on collision by another car that has run the stop sign. This one event has changed your life forever.
This actually happened to Lydia Patterson. If you see Lydia today, she is a confident, attractive, vibrant woman who always has a kind word to say and a warm smile on her face. The struggle to get back to this point has taken great determination and drive. Due to Lydia’s accident, she suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, even though she was wearing her seat belt. Due to her brain injury, Lydia experienced disorientation, depression, attention problems and chronic frustration.
Lydia soon lost her job and her personal life changed dramatically. Lydia struggled with these symptoms for almost four years. In 1992, Lydia and her husband Berman, decided to move to Wellington, Florida. It was in Florida that Lydia was introduced to Gulfstream Goodwill Industries and its Traumatic Brain Injury program. “It wasn’t until I entered the Goodwill program that all the pieces of the puzzle of my condition began to come together,” says Lydia.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries was established in 1966. The mission of the agency is to assist persons with disabilities to become self-sufficient working members of the community. The non-profit has grown tremendously over a period of more than 40 years of serving the community. It has four rehabilitation centers that serve its five- county area. Last year alone, Goodwill helped almost 5,000 people like Lydia.
Goodwill not only has a traumatic brain injury program but it also offers job evaluation, training and placement. It has four homeless programs and has recently begun working with non-violent offenders who have been released from prison. These are just some of the programs that Goodwill offers.
When people hear the name Goodwill, many automatically think of the Goodwill retail stores. Gulfstream Goodwill operates 25 retail stores in its territory and the money raised by the donated items are sold to generate money to run its rehabilitation programs. Due to the downturn in the economy and steep cuts in government spending, last year was especially difficult for the organization. Sales have begun to increase this year, but the organization now finds itself in desperate need of donations of housewares, furniture and clothing.
Lydia was so impressed with the service she received at Goodwill that she decided to join its board of directors to help spread the agency’s message.” This community needs the quality programs that Goodwill offers. After one’s external wounds heal, there is a long and difficult journey to heal internally and emotionally.”
Lydia went to work with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County after leaving the Traumatic Brain Injury Program. Following her two years with the Foundation, she managed several consulting projects, and became fully retired in 2005. Lydia continues her work with the Goodwill Board, and her membership in the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches and Leadership Palm Beach County.
Lydia is grateful for all of the opportunities that coming to Gulfstream Goodwill has given her. “I would just like to say, ‘Thank you, Gulfstream Goodwill.’”
For more information on Gulfstream Goodwill programs: Cal Miller (561) 848-7200 X3250; or visit www.gulfstreamgoodwill.com.
When people hear the name Goodwill, many automatically think of the Goodwill retail stores. Gulfstream Goodwill operates 25 retail stores in its territory and the money raised by the donated items are sold to generate money to run its rehabilitation programs. Due to the downturn in the economy and steep cuts in government spending, last year was especially difficult for the organization. Sales have begun to increase this year, but the organization now finds itself in desperate need of donations of housewares, furniture and clothing.