Ride along shows the mission, success stories of Goodwill's 'Another Way' program

Goodwill's "Another Way" program is working to help people facing tough times get back on their feet.“A hand up to the life that you deserve. A hand up to the resources that you can gain. A hand up to get back on track,” said Goodwill Outreach specialist Stefphan Gholston.Every day Gholston hops in his Goodwill “Another Way” van to give what he calls his hope shop. He drives around town, encouraging facing homelessness to get the help needed to get back on their feet. “I believe in every single one of you all, every day. That’s why we come out here,” Gholston said. According to the latest data from the Coalition for the Homeless, daily there are nearly 600 people who are unsheltered and a little more than 1,400 people who have sought homeless services. While homelessness is not a new issue in Louisville, he goes out on a mission daily to hope to help someone get back on their feet. “They not much different than I am. They’ve been through the same things I’ve been through. I finally found my people, and I think they just found me because I’m not going anywhere,” Gholston said. When people choose to go, they get $50 to work for four hours, a hot lunch, and access to Goodwill's rehabilitation resources.Jason Tennaint said yes on Tuesday. He’s faced homelessness for three years after being shot and not being able to work. “I ain't gone give up, that's for sure. I just turned 52 on the 31st, and I want to live to see 53,” Tennaint said. That faith and persistence are things Gholston knows personally. “I was living in my car next to Waste Side. Post-divorce, my mind gone, substance abuse issues, everything,” Gholston said.And his story is all too familiar. Tevin Clark also found success in the program. “Once they gave me a hand up, I took off running with it,” Clark said. He went from being homeless to getting his GED and becoming an assistant manager at Goodwill in six months. “It’s amazing, man. It’s a blessing. I would show up and show out for goodwill because they showed up and showed out for me,” Clark said. It is a testament that there is another way.