Employee Spotlight: George

Employee Spotlight: George, Employment Development Case Manager at Good Soil Industries

Good Soil Industries’ mission to help hard to hire people work their way out of poverty is brought to life by dedicated team members like George. George has been with us for about 3 years and is our Employment Development Case Manager. Both his dedication and passion for his work are truly inspiring. Here’s a closer look at George’s journey and his incredible impact on our community.

George's path to Kingdom Causes Bellflower and Good Soil Industries was deeply personal. "This was actually my first time working in this field," he shared. "I heard about Kingdom Causes Bellflower (KCB) and its mission, and it hit close to home because of my own family's struggles. We've been through tough times and didn't know about the help available. We even lost our house. Knowing that there are resources we can send people to made me want to help those who couldn’t help themselves."

What keeps George motivated in his work? "The people I get to work with," he says with a smile. "The community we have with the employees here and having the resources to help others is incredibly fulfilling."

George’s day starts early—really early. Out of all of our employees, George lives the furthest away by far. Some people call him crazy, he jokingly shared, but knows that God has him exactly where he needs to be. ”I leave home at 3:30 am to get here by 5:30am! I’m able to take a nap, and start my day refreshed at 6:30am," he explains. "I begin by helping participants. Their needs change daily.”

Helping participants overcome challenges is a big part of George’s role. "Transportation, housing, and clothing are some of the key issues that come up often," he says. But building trust is crucial. "Case management is about being human. There’s a rapport and trust that has to be built. Through conversation, it happens naturally. Everyone wants to be heard, and I love being able to help in that way."

There’s one success story that stands out for George. "Luke came to us homeless and struggling with alcoholism. He had no direction. We started addressing his alcoholism with the help of a route manager and got him into AA meetings. I was so glad to hear that he got sober and took back control of his life! We found him a job at Resource Building Materials, and he’s since been promoted and has his own place. Sometimes, amidst all the pain we hear daily, we need to hear the good stuff. It’s people’s lives we're working with here."

For George, success isn’t just about landing a full-time job. "Even the small wins are huge when you look at the big picture," he says. "Sometimes, something as simple as getting an ID unlocks so much for their future. I’m glad to help them find successes and highlight them so they start to build confidence."

George also wanted to dispel common misconceptions about those who are hard to hire. "People often think they’re lazy, on drugs, or not interested in helping themselves," he explains. “But these are some the most hard working people I’ve ever met. They just need some direction and push to get started.”

George has big goals for the future. "I want to exceed our numbers, connect with more employers and organizations, and network more," he says. He sees a bright future for GSI. "With the right people, it can grow far. And it definitely has the right people. I like where I’m at, and I’m willing to support through it all."

When he’s not working, George enjoys photography, nature, photography, movies, and photography. Did I mention photography? "I love editing, hanging out with my wife, and finding new spots to take pictures. My mom was a photographer, and watching her started that passion in me. Every picture has a memory attached to it.”

The quote that keeps George inspired in his work is simple but powerful: "Discipline is the key to success."

George’s faith is the cornerstone of his dedication. "My faith in God and knowing that even when I feel tired I know God always gives me the strength to make the drive here and continue the work here. People think it’s crazy that I drive so far to work, but I love what I do here. I believe in what we do, and not a lot of places give you the freedom to speak about what truly matters to you. I love my work."

We’re grateful to have George on our team, making a difference every day at GSI. His story is a testament to the power of dedication, compassion, faith, and of course … photography.