Solara Sain's Mission Moment

Transforming Potential into Opportunity: Solara’s Story

Solara Sain, Vice President of Retail Operations, Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area

During the Bosnian war in the early 1990s, many Bosnian citizens sought safety. Thankfully, Solara Sain and her husband, Dusan, were granted the opportunity to move to the U.S. through a Lutheran Church refugee program. With an English vocabulary of just 200 words, Solara courageously began building a new life.

Solara was eager to work, so she stopped in a Goodwill store to inquire about a job. She was placed in a sales associate position, and after just one year, she was promoted to assistant store manager. She was later promoted to store manager and then to the position of Regional Director of Donor Services. From there, Solara served other Goodwill organizations as a Vice President of Donated Goods Retail and then as a Chief Operating Officer. Solara is now the Vice President of Retail Operations for Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area.

Solara’s story is just one of many stories about how Goodwill helps people transform their potential into opportunity. We are thankful to have Solara here at our Goodwill!

(excerpts from Refugee to “C” Suite, Goodwill Dallas)

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Goodwill To Host Forklift Operator Training Course

By Lora B • June 30, 2025

Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area is hosting a forklift operator training course in conjunction with Sunbelt Rentals on Monday, July 21, through Thursday, July 24. The class will be held at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus, at 6104 Preservation Drive in Chattanooga. The 4-day boot camp training is provided in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services/Vocational Rehabilitation. The course includes American National Standards Institute (ANSI) classes 1, 4 and 5 warehouse forklift operator certification and career readiness training. In addition to these types of training opportunities, the Goodwill Opportunity Campus and the two Opportunity Centers in Dalton and East Brainerd provide free employment services such as career assessments, job search support, employment readiness assistance, digital skills training, financial and nutritional education and resume and interview preparation. "Hosting these training events is just one way we contribute to our community," said Rachel Inman, vice president of Mission Services. "At Goodwill, we are dedicated to offering resources that support individuals in their job search and future career growth." Since 1923, Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area has been helping people access the training and resources needed to secure competitive jobs. Goodwill Opportunity Centers are located in Dalton, East Brainerd, and Chattanooga. The revenue generated from Goodwill’s 15 local stores directly funds education, training, and employment services in the region, serving 23 counties across Georgia and Tennessee. Visit www.goodwillchatt.org to learn more. The deadline to register is July 7. The cost for non-Vocational Rehabilitation participants is $186. For more information or to register, contact Cornisha Espey at 423 634-2935 or cornisha.m.espey@tn.gov . Read More Here .

Goodwill To Host Infomational Health Insurance Event July 8

By Lora B • June 30, 2025

The Goodwill Opportunity Center in Dalton is hosting a hiring event with Partners Personnel on Tuesday, June 24 to find first and second-shift operators, product packers, material handlers, and fabricators. Starting pay rates range from $16 to $20 per hour, says organizers, and aspiring forklift operators will be given access to certification courses and guidance from professionals. Along with hiring, the event will offer free career services such as: Career assessments Job search support Employment readiness assistance Digital skills training Financial and nutritional education Resume and interview preparation "Hiring events are one of the many ways we actively invest in our community," said Jonathan Morris, Goodwill Opportunity Center Manager. "At Goodwill, we are dedicated to offering free resources that support individuals in their job search and future career growth." For more information, visit the Goodwill website , call the Dalton Goodwill Opportunity Center at 706-609-5647 or email Jonathan Morris at jonathanm@goodwillchatt.org . Read More Here .