“Prior to joining Goodwill NYNJ, my life was out of order due to mental illness. I lived in a men’s shelter surrounded by victims of substance abuse, drugs and violence,” says Kēgan Palmer, a shy, sensitive and well-spoken young man. Kēgan felt he could not find work because of his mental illness.
As soon as Kēgan came to Goodwill, our Lantern House Clubhouse team helped him fill out and submit the complex paperwork to find him permanent housing. Then, in less than a month, the Goodwill NYNJ team helped him to obtain transitional employment as a messenger and then move to a one-bedroom permanent apartment. He loved this job working in the Wall Street area, but unfortunately, he was one of millions who lost his job due to the COVID-19 outbreak. He didn’t see this as another obstacle though. He used it as an opportunity to volunteer his time at the clubhouse, helping other individuals in similar situation to his.
Soon, the Goodwill NYNJ team identified and helped him land a seasonal job at Macy’s. Thanks
to his work ethic, he was hired part time after the holidays!
One day, Kēgan’s counselor at Goodwill saw him drawing pictures of angels–he explained that an aria in French that he had composed went with the art. Impressed by the excellence and originality of the artwork, he suggested that Kēgan submit some his art to an art contest at a Lantern House in Jerusalem. The artwork was accepted to the exhibit in Jerusalem and Goodwill NYNJ raised the money for Kēgan and a Goodwill NYNJ counselor to attend the opening. Unfortunately, COVID-19 intervened and they were unable to attend. Still, Kēgan’s artwork is there in the exhibit!
Today, Goodwill NYNJ continues to support Kēgan, helping to keep a New York City multimedia artist stay mentally stable to work a job, have a home and follow his dreams of creating art and music. Goodwill NYNJ believes in supporting the “whole” person and because of our team’s dedication, Kēgan is going places!