In the Spotlight
Good For Others
San Diego, CA –The San Diego Nonprofit Consortium, led by Good For Others Foundation, is addressing workforce shortages in the nonprofit sector by preparing individuals for hard-to-fill roles like Program Specialists and Program Managers. Through their CWDB-funded Nonprofit Sector High Road Training Program, they support unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers in building leadership skills to advance their careers. This strategic partnership offers tailored training and supportive services like financial assistance, transportation stipends, childcare support, and effective case management, preparing individuals to advance into high quality careers.
In addition to specialized certifications, participants gain access to job fairs, alumni networks, and AI-powered interview preparation that connect to real opportunities. Other benefits include access to peer-led employer groups, a pooled retirement plan, and a pilot nonprofit hub application designed to streamline resources and connections.
Even amid workforce development challenges, the Good For Others Foundation continues to drive personal advancement, creating lasting systems change through collaboration and a people-first approach.
Joanna Elrick
In May 2023, after two-plus decades in the Southeast U.S., Joanna returned to her hometown of San Diego. A freelance writer with a PhD in humanities and social sciences, she had seen her career shift significantly with the rise of AI tools. She returned to California with limited financial resources, unsure of her next steps.
Despite San Diego’s high cost of living, she was drawn back by a sense of familiarity. At nearly fifty years old, with ongoing health concerns and a history of substance use disorder, starting over felt uncertain.
Her experience quickly underscored how difficult it is to navigate housing instability later in life, especially with underlying health conditions. Seeking support from local shelters led her to the San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM), where she learned about their one-year residential recovery program (the Academy). The program provided structure, meals, and safe housing—making it a clear next step for Joanna.
Over the course of 15 months, she found space to reflect and focus on recovery. “The Academy gave me something that is increasingly rare: time to rest, reflect, and heal without the pressure of economic survival,” she said.
During this time, she maintained sobriety and developed a new career path. She earned her California Peer Support Specialist certification. Then, built on an interest in nonprofit work through Good For Others Foundation trainings and support from the San Diego Workforce Partnership. She also reconnected with her faith, receiving Confirmation in the Roman Catholic Church on Easter 2025.
“I have rebuilt my life, and I am committed to giving back through the very systems that helped me survive and thrive.”
Today, Joanna works at a residential treatment facility in San Diego, supporting women experiencing substance use, homelessness, and involvement in the justice system. She hopes to move into grant writing and nonprofit administration, where she can apply her research and writing skills in new ways.
“My personal story is a testament to the life-changing impact of San Diego’s nonprofit sector,” Joanna shared. “Organizations like SDRM, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and the Good For Others Foundation offered not just services, but hope. They invested in me when I had little to offer in return. I have rebuilt my life, and I am committed to giving back through the very systems that help me survive and thrive.”