Meet our Edgar J. Helms 2025 Veteran of the Year, Richard! Richard’s path to stability was anything but linear. It spanned continents, careers, heartbreak, and healing, but ultimately led to purpose, thanks in part to the support of Goodwill North Central Wisconsin (NCW).

Born in the UK to a military family, Richard moved frequently between the UK and Montana before eventually settling in Florida. After high school, unsure of his next steps, he joined the Navy, a decision that brought him a sense of structure and camaraderie.

In 2010, tragedy struck when Richard’s father passed away from cancer at just 50 years old. The loss deeply affected him, straining his personal relationships and amplifying the loss of camaraderie after his time in the service. It wasn’t until later that he recognized the weight of what he was carrying: “Nothing really affected me until years down, once you have more free time on your mind and you’re thinking about some of the things you’ve seen, done and heard.” He had been living with undiagnosed PTSD.

A turning point came when he reconnected with an old acquaintance, Brittany. The two began dating, got engaged, and eventually moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they now live with their children. However, once there, Richard struggled to find meaningful employment. He found that the skills he excelled at in the Navy didn’t translate to most jobs. That’s when he turned to Veterans Affairs, who connected him with an Employment Placement Specialist at Goodwill NCW.

Through Goodwill’s Career EXCELerate program, Richard discovered a new path: truck driving. He enrolled in the program, earned his CDL at no cost, and passed his required tests in just 10 days. He completed the program at the top of his class and, shortly after, secured a job with Legacy Trucking.

Now Richard has achieved a level of financial stability that has allowed him to buy a new truck, a new boat, renovate his house, and travel.

“I never had someone else invest in me, besides the military, as much as Goodwill,” Richard says. “I’m forever grateful.”

Richard’s journey to personal and financial stability is a testament to resilience, second chances, and the power of community support.

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