Goodwill gives back to its employees in need

LEXINGTON, Tenn. — Wheels-to-Work is a program that Goodwill employees can apply to and potentially receive a new set of wheels.

Katrina Newlin, the most recent winner of the Wheels-to-Work program, was without a job for 20 years, but then she applied to Goodwill who, she says, was the only company that would hire her.

Since then, she has been at Goodwill of Lexington for almost 2 years.

Newlin says her current car could take her to work but she joked it was a “death trap.”

“My old car was a 2008 Chevy Cavalier. The windows wouldn’t roll down, the air conditioner worked, but it didn’t work perfect. The heat would blow and it was too hot. The windows of course wouldn’t roll down because I had duck tape on them– they were broke. So this is such a blessing,” said Newlin.

Having this job was important to her because she wanted to create a better life for her children.

So, winning a reliable ride to her job has been extremely impactful.

“I applied with hopes and prayed that God would give it to me,” said Newlin.

Danny Rhodes, Director of Donations and Acquisitions for Goodwill shared that Wheels-to-Work has donated 19 cars to Goodwill employees so far.

“I get to oversee the program, the way donations come in, and generous donors who have vehicles that they want to donate to Goodwill, if those vehicles are in good cosmetic mechanical conditions. We’re able to bring them into this program and have them ready to distribute to a worthy candidate,” said Rhodes.

He also adds that people may not know that Goodwill offers opportunities to their employees.

“Most people know Goodwill as an awesome thrift store. But that’s really just the beginning there’s so much more to Goodwill and Goodwill Industries Middle Tennessee is a non-profit organization whose mission is changing lives through, education, training, and employment,” said Rhodes.

He also encourages others to donate their older cars that are still usable to continue to share this joy.

“Having the opportunity to donate a car to a worthy employee helps them to help themselves. It’s the hand up to overcome barriers which is all that Goodwill does, it’s what we do,” said Rhodes.

Currently, Newlin and her family are trying to think of a name for her new car.

She says it’s between “Goodwheel” or “Goodwill”.

For more local news stories, click here.