Empowering Journeys To Success

Introducing RESP

At Goodwill, we believe everyone is worthy and all people are capable of great things when treated with love, kindness, and respect. As an organization, we are a collective of individuals each possessing different skills, backgrounds, and strengths. Together, we are working to build a community where differences are celebrated and everyone has a seat at the table.

As part of our mission to make purposeful employment possible for all while redefining inclusion in the workplace, Goodwill of Central Iowa is honored to announce the official launch of our new Refugee Employment Skills Program (RESP).

This six-week program provides paid, hands-on training to those facing the challenges associated with coming to a new country such as learning a different language, managing finances, finding housing and childcare, and hoping to become a productive member of their new community through the power of employment.

Perhaps few members in our community understand the personal struggles of being a refugee as intimately as Geeta Rahmani. After fleeing Afghanistan with her husband in 2021 during the Taliban takeover, Geeta found herself working at an Aldi in Des Moines stocking shelves and attempting to adjust to a radically new culture.

A few months later, she joined the Goodwill of Central Iowa team and set out to learn how to become a Skills Trainer for fellow refugee women. After months of mentoring, training, and job shadowing, Geeta is ready to help other Middle-Eastern women as they arrive in the Greater Des Moines area.

“I look forward to being a resource for other women like me,” said Geeta. “I believe our services will help make the transition much easier and more successful for other refugees.”

Goodwill of Central Iowa’s President and CEO, Mary Hunter, is also hopeful about the new program.

“Goodwill is such a valuable resource for our community in so many ways,” said Hunter. “When we were presented with the opportunity to offer a program to assist refugee women as they transition to their new lives here in America, it was wonderful to have the Goodwill network ready and available to make that a possibility.”