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[podcast]http://donate.goodwill.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Melvin-Yawn.mp3[/podcast]

I was born with spina bifida and throughout my life, I’ve had 24 major surgeries. Before coming to Goodwill Industries^® of North Louisiana, I sat at home doing nothing but staying on the Internet, and I became addicted. I was depressed and leading a lonely life. I was on the verge of moving back home with my parents due to low finances and no job.

After I got involved in church, doors really started opening for me. I was introduced to the Goodwill’s VP of Contract Services Don Baker, who then introduced me to my supervisor Cathy Stewart. That’s where my Goodwill^® journey began.

Mel Yawn prepares auction listings for shopgoodwill.com at Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana.

I started working with the shopgoodwill.com^® e-commerce department and I have been there for about four and a half years. I learned to write descriptions, and I now am able to do all the jobs within the department. I’ve learned responsibility, and I now train the new employees.

I was able to change my life around. Since I have a job, I am now able to live on my own. I use transportation through friends and a local service. I am really involved in my church, and I’m able to get out a lot more and enjoy life.

Goodwill has really helped me out and opened a lot of doors for me. It’s really become more like a friendship than a job. Goodwill lives by its motto of improving people’s lives through the power of work — they’ve been doing exactly that for me.