Woman once down and out now being honored with national award
SEATTLE -- She was once down, but she's not out.
Autum Beel is a former drug addict who lost everything: her husband, her children, and her home. But thanks to a free program, Autum is now on the road to success.
Beel has a zest for life and hard work. She's been promoted three times in less than three years at Home Depot.
At home, she is a loving mother of three, and now she's collecting a national award for her success. Autum will receive the honor from Goodwill on Monday night.
"I never even thought that I could accomplish anything like this and I honestly was just trying to get clean, get sober and get a job," she said.
Getting clean is not easy after 17 years of drug use.
"I was at the bottom," she said.
Her daughters thought it was impossible that she was going to get sober.
"Everyday, I was scared," Sierra said. "I always had the fear of being taken away and that eventually happened."
Beel lost her children, and then she was homeless.
"I didn't go to meetings, I didn't do any of the normal stuff to get sober," Beel said. "I just said I'm done and I moved to where I knew nobody."
Beel sobered up and started piecing her life back together. She found Goodwill's Job Training program: A 10 week long, free program for anyone in need.
"They teach you about attitude, how to carry yourself," Beel said.
Now that she's got her kids: Logan, Niomee and Sierra with her again, she's teaching them skills for life.
"I'm very proud of my mom for turning her life around and getting her kids back," Niomee said.
And Beel is now engaged.
"I'm so proud of her," Sierra said.
"Our family may have been broken," Autum said. "But we are mending it."
Beel is one of about 2 million people each year, who benefit from Goodwill's career programs.
Autum Beel is a former drug addict who lost everything: her husband, her children, and her home. But thanks to a free program, Autum is now on the road to success.
Beel has a zest for life and hard work. She's been promoted three times in less than three years at Home Depot.
At home, she is a loving mother of three, and now she's collecting a national award for her success. Autum will receive the honor from Goodwill on Monday night.
"I never even thought that I could accomplish anything like this and I honestly was just trying to get clean, get sober and get a job," she said.
Getting clean is not easy after 17 years of drug use.
"I was at the bottom," she said.
Her daughters thought it was impossible that she was going to get sober.
"Everyday, I was scared," Sierra said. "I always had the fear of being taken away and that eventually happened."
Beel lost her children, and then she was homeless.
"I didn't go to meetings, I didn't do any of the normal stuff to get sober," Beel said. "I just said I'm done and I moved to where I knew nobody."
Beel sobered up and started piecing her life back together. She found Goodwill's Job Training program: A 10 week long, free program for anyone in need.
"They teach you about attitude, how to carry yourself," Beel said.
Now that she's got her kids: Logan, Niomee and Sierra with her again, she's teaching them skills for life.
"I'm very proud of my mom for turning her life around and getting her kids back," Niomee said.
And Beel is now engaged.
"I'm so proud of her," Sierra said.
"Our family may have been broken," Autum said. "But we are mending it."
Beel is one of about 2 million people each year, who benefit from Goodwill's career programs.
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