ATLANTA — More than 40 residents from Habersham County were among the more than 1,200 graduates recognized by Goodwill of North Georgia during its annual graduation ceremony celebrating participants in the organization’s career training and workforce development programs.
The ceremony, themed “Waves of Impact,” was held at the Georgia Aquarium and brought together 270 graduates in person along with family members, community partners and sponsors. According to Goodwill Communications Manager Donavan Jackson, more than 40 of the graduates came from Habersham County during the organization’s 2026 fiscal year.
Graduates ranged in age from 15 to 74 and completed no-cost training programs in a variety of high-demand fields, including phlebotomy, welding, electric vehicle supply equipment installation, medical billing and coding, supply chain management and heat pump technology.
Keith T. Parker, president and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia, said the ceremony reflected the organization’s century-long mission of helping people achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment.
“For 100 years, Goodwill of North Georgia has believed that every person, regardless of their background or barriers, deserves access to meaningful work and a pathway to a better life,” Parker said in a statement. “This graduation is proof of that mission.”
The organization also announced that it has been recognized as the nation’s top-performing Goodwill for job placements for the seventh consecutive year among 150 Goodwill regions nationwide.
The keynote address was delivered by Birgit Smith Burton, chief executive officer of the African American Development Officers Network.
“For a lot of you, this will be your first graduation, but the moment is bigger than you,” Burton told graduates. “As others see you graduate, they find and discover their own courage to achieve their dreams.”
Among those recognized was George Hand II, who was named Goodwill’s Graduate of the Year. Hand completed the Supply Chain Management program through Goodwill’s Old National Career Center after being referred through the SNAP Works program in 2025.
Hand earned multiple certifications, including OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid and forklift operation, before securing employment and later advancing into a management role with the City of Atlanta.
Jenny Taylor, vice president of career services for Goodwill of North Georgia, said the graduates’ accomplishments demonstrate the impact of workforce development programs.
“These graduates walked through our doors at some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and they leave here with certifications, careers and a renewed sense of purpose,” Taylor said.
The graduation ceremony also marked a milestone for Goodwill of North Georgia as the organization concludes its 100th anniversary year on June 19. Since its founding, Goodwill reports it has served more than 835,000 people and helped place more than 340,000 individuals into employment.
Looking ahead, the organization has set a goal of serving an additional 155,000 job seekers by 2030.
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