\u201cWe started with a small pilot in one store with 32 participants,\u201d\u00a0said Gina\u00a0Ronokarijo, vice president of workforce operations at CareerSource Central Florida.\u00a0\u201cWe had really great initial results where the majority of folks did not return to cash benefits after the program.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following the successful pilot program at the South Orange Blossom Trail Goodwill, the\u00a0program now spans six locations across the Orlando area, according to CareerSource program manager Mayra Nu\u00f1ez.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of the pilot program graduates, Jacarra Mallard, now serves as a skills trainer at Goodwill Apopka. She credits the program for giving her the tools she needs to provide for her family as a single mother.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was\u00a0just on a search\u00a0for something better for myself and my kids,\u201d Mallard said. \u201cI was five months pregnant, so when I came, I was just like, \u2018I\u2019m\u00a0not\u00a0going to\u00a0say anything,\u2019 because I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0know if that was\u00a0going to\u00a0jeopardize my job.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mallard said the Goodwill staff showed her ample compassion and understanding after they found out about her pregnancy, and her\u00a0manager\u00a0saw potential in her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Jacarra](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3872-730x1024.jpeg\")
Photo by Sarah Merly Jacarra Mallard (left) transferred to the Goodwill in Apopka after completing the pilot program at South Orange Blossom Trail.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe actually made it through all the rotations with no problems,\u201d Foster said. \u201cThat\u2019s\u00a0what made her stand\u00a0out\u00a0\u2014\u00a0she was pregnant, but she was like, \u2018I\u2019m going to do this.\u2019 The store manager saw her work\u00a0really hard\u00a0toward the goal of finishing this, so she said, \u2018When you come back from maternity leave, you have a job.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although Mallard said she\u00a0grew in\u00a0skills including time management and\u00a0financial literacy, the confidence she gained through participating in mock interviews stood out\u00a0to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe [Mallard\u2019s mock interviewer] told me that when\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0having an interview,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0really just\u00a0telling your story, telling who you are,\u201d Mallard said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mallard had told her interviewer about her first son, Jacob, who died at four years old.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey told me he wouldn\u2019t be able to live outside the womb,\u201d Mallard said. \u201cWithin those four years, he really showed so much resilience and so much power within. He still had the greatest smile. He was\u00a0so smart, and his strength is what carries me today \u2014 my walk, my talk, the way I treat people is all from that story.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Mallard, her\u00a0interviewer noted that Mallard did not stutter when she talked about her son\u00a0and\u00a0encouraged her to employ that confidence throughout the interview process.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, Mallard has successfully transitioned from living in a homeless shelter to\u00a0purchasing\u00a0a home for her family, thanks to Goodwill partner Homeless Services Network of Central Florida.\u00a0As she begins her new role as a skills trainer, she hopes \u201cto be there\u201d for the new participants in the same way Goodwill staff supported her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very thankful, and I\u2019m glad to be in the position I am now, because I know where I came from,\u201d Mallard said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those wishing to\u00a0learn more may do so by visiting a CareerSource career center or calling CareerSource at 1 (800) 757-4598.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2-1.png\")
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Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College’s journalism program in Washington, D.C. In her spare time, Sarah loves watching rom-coms, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.<\/p>\n