Progression — Blog — Give the Grave Only Bones.

When I left Up with People, about a year and a half ago, it was because I needed a change. I was a little over 4 years deep in the organization and feeling rather drained. As much as I loved what Up with People was doing and the impact it made, I felt like my time as a contributing member of the body was coming to a close.

I didn't look forward to going to work, the day to day tasks were driving me crazy and even on the brightest of days I had to fake a smile and cheerful disposition. It's fair to say that I was beyond checked out. Then came the opportunity to work for Goodwill, an organization that reached out to meet the needs of the Denver community.

A non-profit that gives people with disabilities a job and more than just a medical diagnosis but also a purpose. a non-profit that meets the needs of under served youth and provides them with opportunities that are often easily accessible to their more privileged peers. A non-profit that provides programming for adults that gives them tools for success whether they have a high school diploma or not.

I genuinely believe that non-profits like Goodwill change the world. One person at a time Goodwill breaks the cycle of poverty and puts worth and dignity in a place where, for years, only shame lived. Of all of the transitions I've made in my life, this one is by far the most difficult.

On August 14th I'll be embarking on a new journey and for the first time venturing outside of the non-profit world to work for a program called CareerConnect. CareerConnect is one of the many functions of the Denver Public School system and works to offer students engaging and project based courses and experiential learning in relevant career pathways.

CareerConnect provides students with job shadow opportunities, mentors, internships and more. CareerConnect helps students to create a tangible and realistic path to a career by giving them early exposure and reliable professional contacts.

I am so excited about this new opportunity! The key goals of the Denver Public School system align so well with my personal mission statement and the work that CareerConnect does gives students a tangible and clear path to success.

I, with every part of me, believe that this career move will further my community reach, widen my educational scope and help me to accomplish many of my professional goals.

I'm not tired of Goodwill, I wasn't burned out or ever upset about coming to work each day; I love what I do and most importantly the people I do it with and the students I do it for. This career move will not take me from unhappy to happy but rather it's simply the next step in my professional journey. A step up and in the right direction, that's what this is.

So on Tuesday, the 8th, with sadness and so much love I'll say goodbye to Goodwill. I'll grab my box of pictures and inspirational quotes from my desk, I'll say a few jokes and give a tons of hugs and be on my way. With the closing of one chapter another one opens and I can't wait to update you on my students, my colleagues and life in general in this new and exciting position.

*Goodwill's all over the country provide resources to adults, youth and people with disabilities. When you shop at Goodwill, the money that you spend goes back into the community to support those that are often lacking and going without basic education and professional resources. Please, in the near future, visit your local Goodwill and do your part in supporting their beautiful mission. Thank you!*