After she posted a job fair flyer at her Inglewood store, Kroger hiring manager Jackie Vandal heard every day from one of the regular customers asking for a job.
Vandal didn’t know the persistent, disheveled woman’s name, only recognized her face, but Vandal got good vibes from her.
On the day of that January job fair, the woman was among the first applicants. Her name was LaShenda Williams.
She told Vandal a powerful story of how drug addiction, abuse and abandonment led her to living out of her car — and sleeping in the parking lot right outside the door.
After filling out an application, Vandal told Williams she was hired.
Williams burst into tears and fell into Vandal’s arms.
Vandal, surprised at first, hugged her and said, “Don’t you worry about anything. I’m gonna work you to death, and we’ll take care of you.”
Williams told her she would show up and work hard.
Promises kept all around.
Eight months later, Williams, comes in upbeat most every weekday to work the self-checkout lane.
She tells fellow employees and customers – “Don’t let anybody steal your joy!”. “It’s going to be a great day!”
After a few months, Williams earned enough money to get her own apartment, and a customer helped her find one. Another customer rallied residents of the area on Facebook to donate furniture, decorations and clothes.