Meet Marisa

Marisa Lordo and her mother arrived at the Athens Career Center looking for a program that could help her develop her social skills and prepare her for the workforce. Marisa’s mother wanted her to be as prepared as possible for the “real world.” Marisa and her mother spoke with the career center team members about the programs Goodwill offers for youth entering the workforce. Career Pathways Coach Keyera Rittenberry told Marisa and her mother about the Youth Employment Services (YES) program. The YES program is a partnership between local school systems and employers to empower opportunity youth.

Keyera began working to help Marisa find an organization or business where she could complete an internship. During this process, Keyera visited Marisa at her school and assisted her with resume writing and interview preparation. “I was so nervous when talking to people, the interview prep with Keyera eased my anxiety,” Marisa said. Marisa also enrolled in Job Readiness Training courses at the career center. Marisa said she loved working with the Goodwill team, whom she described as “very nice.” It was during her job readiness training that Marisa expressed a desire to work with animals.

After researching different community organizations that work with animals, Keyera found the perfect place where Marisa intern. Frankie and Andy’s Place is an organization that provides dogs with a loving place to call home. The dogs accepted into this facility may have a physical disability, a severe medical condition, are senior dogs, or just need a second chance at life. Marisa found her internship to be very rewarding because she was able to give senior dogs the love and care that they so desperately craved. She also was allowed to work at the Desperate Dogs luxury canine day camp and boarding ranch, which has a partnership with Frankie and Andy’s Place.

During Marisa’s internship, the career center team checked in with her periodically to see how the work experience was going and to ask if she needed any additional support. Marisa’s hard work and preparation with Goodwill helped her feel confident and motivated her to succeed. Marisa did so well that her internship turned into a job! The Desperate Dogs team felt that Marisa showed professionalism and worked well with the dogs. She started her new position as a Canine Handler at Desperate Dogs in May 2023. Marisa rejoices that now she makes a livable wage to support herself and help her family.

“Goodwill makes life a lot easier. They really do help you! They have so many resources and encourage you to do what you need to do to get a job,” Marisa said.

The success of youth like Marisa is a reminder of why Goodwill works with the community, schools, and employers to help give local youth the tools they need to succeed at work and life!