Meet Ophelia

Ophelia is a 57-year old female who grew up in Miami Florida. She suffers from bipolar schizophrenia and anger problems. Ophelia’s father died when she was just 7 years old leaving her mom to raise her and 5 siblings. Ophelia attributes the loss of her father and becoming a single parent at a very young age to her anger problems. Ophelia worked on numerous jobs throughout her years before landing a job with Gulfstream Goodwill Industries in 2004. Ophelia said “You know I’ve been through a lot in my life trying to raise a son and keep my anger issues under control and seven surgeries. However, today I don’t have any anger problems. I don’t allow people to get under my skin anymore”. Ophelia contributes her change to working at Goodwill “. My rest-area supervisors both past and present have always pushed me to strive forward never looking back. Goodwill and the rest-area is my passion for assisting and being a role-model for my co-workers”. Ophelia talked about how she has become more content and humble regarding life. Ophelia likes to dance, listen to music and garden in her spare time. She has also been nominated for the annual Respect of Florida employee of year award 7 times and has won every single time. Ophelia believes she will retire with Gulfstream Goodwill Industries and would one day like to own her own home. Her relationship with her son who is now 38 years old and her grandson who is twelve brings her much joy.