Johnny Houchin

Similar to successful salesman, Johnny enters the room graciously, attracting attention with his warm greeting, recognizing those Goodwill friends not seen for years.

When Goodwill helped Johnny land a job at Target over 12 years ago, Johnny’s life blossomed.  According to him, Johnny was not always so outgoing and suave.  

“I used to wonder if people looked at me funny,” he says.

Because of the job he obtained at Goodwill and the opportunity presented to him with Target, Johnny now enjoys dealing with the public and being social.  Starting out working on an assembly line at Goodwill, Johnny now runs Target’s switchboard and mans the dressing room.

Not only has his interpersonal skills developed, he has also found a partner for life.  “You never know what you’ll find at a retail store,” says Johnny, who met his wife of five years while working at Target.

“I am thankful to Goodwill,” he says.  

Until the age of three, Johnny was a “normal” toddler. He developed a severe case of polio that attacked his spine and lungs.  The doctors had thrown in the towel.  “The doctor gave me over to die,” says Johnny, “I’m glad when the doctors are wrong.”