Opportunity Center Spotlight: Marie Champagne
“We have to meet the community where they are at. Showing empathy, showing understanding because a lot of (clients) do not have resumes, so we start from scratch.”
Marie Champagne, a Career Service Specialist, works hard to make the Goodwill Opportunity Center in Waycross a warm and inviting space.
It is one of Goodwill Southeast Georgia’s four (soon to be five!) Opportunity Centers. There are also locations in Savannah, Statesboro, and Brunswick. The Jesup Opportunity Center will open with a community ribbon-cutting May 10th.
Anyone can call to set up a free appointment at a location with a Career Service Specialist like Champagne. Specialists work to provide support services and skills training to help clients assess their strengths and explore career choices with one-on-one coaching.
Champagne says it always starts by having a smile on her face. It’s a valuable lesson she learned earlier in her career while working for the Division of Family and Children Services in economic support services.
“It was preparation for what has led me to work at Goodwill. It allowed me to work with people of all different temperaments. Crisis intervention is not only something I’ve been trained in, but I am well-versed in it.”
She was also an interpreter while she was with DFCS. Champagne is fluent in Spanish, French and American Sign Language.
Champagne then joined Goodwill out of Atlanta. She says she is motivated by the mission of connecting people with opportunities to reach their full potential.
“We have to meet the community where they are at. Showing empathy, showing understanding because a lot of (clients) do not have resumes, so we start from scratch.”
“I believe that I am an agent of change. It’s not just providing (clients) with the services, it’s providing them with kindness and understanding.”
“That’s why I am out in the community building relationships with our community partners, so (people) can know the services that Goodwill has available.”
“Everyone who comes to the (Opportunity Center), they don’t leave the same. You don’t know the situation they may be in when they come in. When you are smiling, and you are showing how much you care and appreciate them, by the time they leave, not only do they leave with information and job referrals, they are leaving with something they have (accomplished).”
Champagne encourages clients to build on their growth by connecting them with opportunities to continue their education.
The Waycross Opportunity Center is partnered with Coastal Pines Technical College. It offers CNA certifications and other certifications for forklift operators, welders and more.
Champagne is constantly looking for other community partners who want to work with the Opportunity Center. She says meetings like the recent ones she’s held with the Waycross Mayor and City Manager build important word-of-mouth referrals.
“That’s why I am out in the community building relationships with our community partners, so (people) can know the services that Goodwill has available.” You can contact Marie by email at machampagne@goodwillsega.org.
Next week, Goodwill’s Opportunity Centers will highlight their no-cost resources as part of Goodwill Week!
Champagne is excited for what the week will bring. “I believe that I am an agent of change. It’s not just providing (clients) with the services, it’s providing them with kindness and understanding.”
Goodwill Week 2023
This annual celebration is held to remind the community of the no-cost resources available through Goodwill. Take part in hiring and training events May 7-13.