Today we’d like to introduce you to Darla Beede.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2016, at the age of 55, I started my life over. I was an Executive Assistant to the Plant Manager and member of the Leadership Team for a large chemical company for almost 32 years. Unfortunately, the last seven years of working there, I made poor decisions and was terminated. In 2017, I was convicted of wire fraud and sentenced to 24 months at a federal women’s prison. While I was in prison, my husband of almost 30 years divorced me. I was released November 2019, after serving 16 months. I was sent to a halfway house in Houston, Texas and was told about Goodwill Houston. I had no idea Goodwill could help me. I contacted the Goodwill Galveston Job Connection Center. I was overwhelmed with the assistance Goodwill could give. My Employment Specialist assisted me with updating my resume, financial coaching, mock interviews, and employment opportunities. Overall, she helped me build self-confidence through encouragement. She believed in me when I did not believe in myself.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As part of my supervised release, I was required to maintain employment and have a steady source of income. I was hired at the LaPorte Goodwill store as a sorter in January 2020, where I worked until March 2020 when Covid-19 forced the stores to close. I applied to several companies throughout Houston, was hired at one, but let go a week later because someone recognized my name, researched, and found out about my background. In March 2021, Goodwill contacted me about a position as Community Resource Navigator in the CMI group seeking partners to work with Goodwill to assist those in the community. When I was in prison, I prayed God would provide a way for me to help others realize that who they are today, does not mean that is who they will be tomorrow. This was the answer to my prayers!
Six months later, I was promoted to coordinator for a one-year housing program. I helped individuals and families obtain temporary and permanent housing. Halfway through the program, I was promoted to interim Program Manager. At the end of the program, I went back to the CMI group and was promoted to Manager.
In March of 2024, I was promoted to Senior Manager and lead the teams at the Meyerland Career Center, Connects, Re-Entry, and establish partnerships through Community Mission Integration.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently the Senior Manager at the Meyerland Career Center that specializes in helping youth and young adults that have been impacted by the justice system.
My passion is to see others given a fair chance to overcome the barriers they are facing. I was blessed with the assistance of Goodwill, and I was able to get back on my feet and succeed when I thought I couldn’t.
My proudest moments come from mentoring others, sharing my story, and inspiring them to hold on to hope. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share, and in many ways it brings healing to me as well.
Each day, I sit down with them and talk about the importance of moving forward. I remind them that one of their first steps in that journey was walking through the doors of Goodwill Houston. I’m honest with them that it isn’t easy, and there will be days when discouragement sets in, but progress is possible. I often share that God made the windshield much larger than the rearview mirror for a reason: we’re meant to focus on what’s ahead, not what’s behind.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
After my release, I leaned on family and friends for housing while I built stability through my work at Goodwill over the following year. I decided it was time to try to move out on my own again. It was a big step because I had been used to having a husband to help provide stability and now it was just me. I did it and it helped me with improving my self-worth and it made me have the mindset I needed to organize, plan, and save for personal success.
I also took a calculated risk when I accepted a promotion to Senior Manager at the Meyerland Career Center. This was my first time managing people, programs, budgets, and giving direction to more than a couple of team members. I had managed a couple of teams, but this was more intense. I felt I could succeed, and I love a great challenge. I have done well, and the best part is I get to see customers come into the Career Center that feel defeated, especially those with incarceration barriers, turn their lives around and succeed.
I believe risk taking is an important way to grow, learn from your mistakes, and move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goodwillhouston.org
- Instagram: @goodwillhouston
- Facebook: @goodwillhouston
- LinkedIn: @goodwillhouston
