Opportunity Center Spotlight: Clarence McCloud
“Goodwill’s mission and my passion for what we do starts with our connection with people and meeting them where they are.”
Clarence McCloud is the new Director of Mission Services at Goodwill Southeast Georgia. He oversees the operations of Goodwill’s Opportunity Centers in Savannah, Statesboro, Waycross, Brunswick, and now Jesup (starting May 10).
Goodwill’s Opportunity Centers provide individual support, meaningful training, employment services and other community-based programs. To date in 2023, the organization provided services to more than 925 individuals and placed 117 into sustainable employment.
“We are hoping to reach out and serve individuals who are underemployed, individuals who are hoping to skill up and individuals are hoping to get those entry level skills leading to employment," says McCloud.
Helping clients take the next step to access education is something McCloud is extremely passionate about. His background is in higher education. McCloud has met students of all backgrounds, all with different life experiences. McCloud says that’s one of the reasons he’s energized by his work at Goodwill Southeast Georgia. He’s inspired by the opportunity to connect people with vital resources, and then walk with them through their next steps of growth.
“(They) may be dealing with food insecurity, barriers regarding transportation or having childcare. So we want to make sure they know Goodwill Southeast Georgia is here to support them in their efforts to be employed and advance their careers.”
“Goodwill’s mission and my passion for what we do starts with our connection with people and meeting them where they are.”
“We are hoping to reach out and serve individuals who are underemployed, individuals who are hoping to skill up and individuals are hoping to get those entry level skills leading to employment.”
McCloud says a main goal of Goodwill’s Opportunity Centers is to make access to services as simple as possible.
“Getting started in the Opportunity Center is a fairly easy process. (Clients) can visit any of our centers, meet face to face, or they can pre-register online.”
After that, McCloud says the number of possibilities open up for the client, with the knowledge that the next steps will take some work, but they won’t be alone for the journey.
“Giving someone a hand up and not a hand-out is very important in helping that individual to understand the importance of their being independent. (It also effects) their ability to achieve goals that are smart, that are measured, that are achievable, relevant and time-sensitive.”
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