Arnold remembers back to when she first interviewed Goins for Green Thumb: “When Beverly applied for the Title V program, she was interested in changing careers because she was unable to do in-home care – having problems lifting and bending. She didn’t think she was trainable at her age (67 at the time), but wanted to give it a try.

“I arranged to put her in the UCCFB program to work as an Inventory Assistant. Because she was new at this and had no knowledge of computers, she went to college to learn computer basics on her own time. Green Thumb helped with the books,” Arnold concluded.

Beverly remembers Pat very well: “I feel a great fondness for Green Thumb and Pat Arnold for giving me an opportunity to move forward in the working world. I recommend anyone to Green Thumb (now Experience Works) if they need to get back into the work force.”

When she first took the position of training through Green Thumb to work at the food bank, she thought, “I can’t do this job!”

But through the encouragement and inspiration of “God, her daughter, friends, Pat Arnold, and Food Bank Manager, Ken Murphy” Beverly was able to conquer her fears. “I have developed the confidence to fulfill the requirements of my position and my concept has now changed to ‘I know I can do this job.”

Ken Murphy, Goin’s boss, knows a lot of her success has to do with her character: “Beverly came to us with a lot of willingness to learn new skills and a real determination to try hard,” said Murphy … Thanks to her tenacity, ‘BJ’ (as she is affectionately known to hundreds of families at the Food Bank) has come a long way. Her presence with the clients here has always been a joy. She honors the clients as individuals and she understands how hard it can be to stand in a food line.

“Best of all, BJ has proved to herself that she can learn increasingly more complicated computer operations. She deserves credit for her achievements, and I’m sure she will continue to learn, because she has proved to herself that she’s no quitter.”

Beverly started out as part time with UCCFB, twenty hours a week. She was increased to 25 hours recently and received a substantial raise. This year, she is going to attend Mendocino College for more computer classes and inter-personal skills to increase her communication skills. Beverly is a wonderful example that you can be successful at any age. She is living proof that it’s never too late to learn new things or make a difference in our world.

Beverly Goins