Boooooooooooooo!!

Goodwill's mentally challenged employees losing jobs


Karen Grace
KENS 5 Eyewitness News

They are supposed to help people get back on their feet and change their lives with a job.

But now, at least one Goodwill worker is asking where is the goodwill after finding out he is being kicked to the curb.

Goodwill is forcing more that 50 mentally challenged people out of their jobs.

One disabled man is losing his job after working for Goodwill for almost 20 years.

"I've been there a long time with Goodwill industry," Paul Stuebben said.

Every morning, Stuebben rises and shines, not letting his disability keep him from making a living.

"I can hang 165 clothes, fast as I can go, and I can knock them out, off the table" he said. "Nobody else can do it like I can."

He's taken great pride in working for Goodwill, and though their mission is to change lives through the power of work, 41-year-old Stuebben just learned he will be losing his job there.

"[We are] Helping people get that job, keep that job and advance," said Rebecca Helterbrand, with Goodwill Industries.

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If that 's the case, why is Stuebben not keeping his?

KENS 5 has learned Goodwill is now doing away with it Sheltered Workshops and collaborating with places like the Unicorn Center, where they say they can better meet Stuebben's needs and provide work.

"These 59 folks are going to be offered choices in their employment opportunities," Helterbrand said.

But Stuebben is already attached to the position he has.

"I want to stay there, hang clothes a little bit longer," he said.

And he feels helpless.

"Sad inside," Stuebben said. Goodwill says this decision was bases on better meeting the needs of their disabled workforce, not to hurt them. They promise to help people like Stuebben make this transition.