WS Chronicle

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

Since 2011 the Goodwill Career and Prosperity Center has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in the East Winston community.

On Friday, Aug. 14, the center held an informational session to educate the community on services provided at the center as well as give school supplies away for school-aged children.

Bryant King, director of the center, at 1253 N. Liberty St., said many people in the community don’t know about the center and what it does.

“It’s a surprise that so many people in the community don’t know what we do or what this center is. Some people look at the unknown and never take the time to find out what something is,” King said.

“I had one guy come in and tell me that he thought this was a car wash,” laughed King. “So that’s the whole purpose of this event, just trying to bring more attention to this center.”

The Goodwill Career and Prosperity Center offers information on job openings in the area, resume preparation, career coaching, LinkedIn profile setup and job skills training. The center also provides programs for those looking to further their education.

A number of participants in the program have earned their high school diplomas from the Adult High School Access Center that can be completed online.

A few participants are even working on their bachelor’s degrees through online programs at the center.

Raphaela Hawkins, who has participated in a number of programs at the center, said the center has really helped her plan for her future.

“The programs and services they provide here are really amazing,” said Hawkins. “I had a little set back, but the center has helped me get back on track.”

The walls of the center are boards filled with information about upcoming workshops, job fairs and seminars. The center also has a “hot jobs” section that is updated every week with new jobs in the area.

Information about scholarships for the trade classes provided by Goodwill are also available at the center.

Project Re-Entry is another program provided at the center. The program is a community based collaboration of organizations and agencies that provides a coordinated system of pre- and past release services for individuals who have recently completed an active prison sentence.

The mission of the program is to improve the reintegration of former offenders, reduce criminal justice costs and increase public safety through the establishment of a pre- to post release transitional planning system.

Just one year after the center opened, the state planned to close the center because of lack of funds. Instead of just letting it happen, King typed a support letter and rallied those in the community to sign the letter to keep the center open.

“I wouldn’t allow them to tell me that they built this center and shut it down,” said King. “Word got out, and the community got behind it and the center is still here and we’re still going strong.”

For more information on the Goodwill Career and Prosperity Center on North Liberty Street, contact Bryant King at 336-724-1299. Other Career and Prosperity Centers are located at 585 Waughtown St. and 2701 University Parkway.