Michael Law's Success

Michael's Story
Michael recently won the Rise Up award at the Goodwill Annual Awards banquet. This award recognizes a Goodwill program participant for outstanding achievement in overcoming barriers to attain and maintain employment.
Michael graduated from the Goodwill Vocational Adjustment/Work Ready program. He completed 400 hours of education and job training, in addition to earning several digital skills certificates. After graduating, Michael was hired as a store associate at the Goodwill store in East Brainerd. With the help of Goodwill, he was able to design his work schedule around his classes at Chattanooga State Community College.
“After working with Vocational Rehabilitation, Michael met with me,” says Rachel Inman, Senior Director of Missions Services. “He had some lofty goals for himself. While in the program, Michael had started going to school at Chattanooga State for Culinary Arts, coming to work training regularly and assisting around the house to help with his brothers. He was doing all of this while tackling public transportation. Each goal that he set, he conquered. We look forward to seeing how he thrives in this next phase of his life.”
Michael says his favorite part of working at Goodwill is “being with the people who care about me and helping customers and donors. I was very surprised that I won the award. I couldn’t have done it without the Goodwill team and my friends and family.”

July 15, 2026
Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is hosting a forklift operator training course in conjunction with Sunbelt Rentals on Tuesday, July 28, through Thursday, July 30. The class will be held at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, 6104 Preservation Dr. in Chattanooga. The three-day boot camp training is provided in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services/Vocational Rehabilitation. The course includes American National Standards Institute (ANSI) classes 1, 4, and 5 warehouse forklift operator certification and career readiness training. In addition to these types of training opportunities, the Goodwill Opportunity Campus and the two Opportunity Centers in Dalton and East Brainerd provide free employment services such as career assessments, job search support, employment readiness assistance, digital skills training, financial and nutritional education and resume and interview preparation. "Hosting these training events is just one way we contribute to our community," said Rachel Inman, vice president of Mission Services. "At Goodwill, we are dedicated to offering resources that support individuals in their job search and future career growth." Officials said, "Since 1923, Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area has been helping people access the training and resources needed to secure competitive jobs. Goodwill Opportunity Centers are located in Dalton, East Brainerd and Chattanooga. The revenue generated from Goodwill’s 17 local stores directly funds education, training and employment services in the region, serving 23 counties across Georgia and Tennessee. Visit www.goodwillchatt.org to learn more. " The deadline to register is July 23. The cost for non-vocational rehabilitation participants is $186. For more information or to register, contact Cornisha Espey at 423-634-2935 or cornisha.m.espey@tn.gov. Read More Here .

July 8, 2026
From News 12: Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area has officially opened its newest retail store in southeast Cleveland. The new location is at 2010 Broomfield Road Southeast in the former Fresh ’N Low building. It includes a retail store, a Donation Xpress Center, and space for a future Goodwill Opportunity Center. The 15,000-square-foot facility created 20 new jobs and drew large crowds for Thursday’s grand opening. Revenue from the store helps fund workforce development programs that assist people facing barriers to employment. The future Opportunity Center will provide free career search assistance, employment readiness services, and workforce development resources for the community. Goodwill’s existing Cleveland store on Paul Huff Parkway will remain open. Read more here .


