Jean Mansfield, Work Readiness Instructor for Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Inc., shares the inspiring impact of their independent living skills program at Lincoln County High School. Focused on empowering students with disabilities, the program helps young people gain the confidence and skills they need to live independently and achieve their personal goals.
Jean describes how a regular classroom was transformed into an efficiency apartment, giving students hands-on experience with tasks like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and managing money. Through practical lessons in real-world settings—such as trips to the bank or the grocery store—students learn life skills that set them on a path toward independence.
What makes the program truly special is the emotional transformation Jean witnesses. Many students have heard they “can’t” achieve certain milestones, but Jean makes it her mission to help them discover they can. From learning to manage a household to earning a driver’s license, these victories bring joy and pride not only to the students but to their families and community as well.
Jean emphasizes that this life-changing work wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, whose funding makes it possible for Goodwill KYOWVA to bring these essential services to Lincoln County. Their partnership helps ensure that students who might otherwise feel overlooked are given the tools, support, and encouragement they need to succeed.
For Jean, this work is more than a job—it’s a calling. Every day she sees lives transformed as students realize their potential. With every skill mastered and every new goal achieved, these young people are proving to themselves and the world that yes, they can.