Meet Bonnie! After joining us during a challenging chapter in her life, Bonnie quickly became an integral part of our team, bringing leadership, positivity, and creative problem-solving to everything she did. Today, she’s thriving in her new role at a family-owned warehouse, where the skills she built at Ground Up continue to open doors and create opportunities. We’re so honored to share her journey — from overcoming adversity to finding stability, community, and joy — and to celebrate the incredible impact she continues to make in the community.

What are you doing for work now? Tell us about your role! 

I am a picker/packer/production/shipper-all around warehouse worker. The company I work for is a small family-owned warehouse with less than 15 total employees. I have been working for them for a short time; but I was hired because of the experience I had under my belt from my 5 years at Ground Up. (I am very experienced with the platforms Faire, 71 lbs, PirateShip and Shopify. And that experience is helping me in my new role at AFI).

How do you feel Ground Up has prepared you for this opportunity? 

Ground Up was my first long-term job after years of struggling with addiction and homelessness. Ground Up and the woman that worked there has helped me with my communication skills, my leadership skills and my box configuration skills. I've also been able to implement some of my ideas for how things are done in this warehouse, because it's still a growing company.

How would you describe your experience / time with Ground Up?

My experience at Ground Up gave me, well, a lot of experience! I grew when the company grew. I learned a lot of life lessons. I made a lot of good friends. And I wouldn't trade that for anything!

What impact has Ground Up had on your life? 

As previously stated, I was struggling with homelessness and drug addiction a few years prior to being hired on at Ground Up. I was struggling to maintain the job; Ground Up gave me an opportunity that I don't think I would have gotten otherwise. I was 6 months pregnant when they hired me. No other places would give me a job. And because of the stability of that job. I was able to secure and maintain housing for my family. I was able to lease a car (my first one ever!!). And the leadership team at Ground Up encouraged me every step of the way! I wouldn't have had that if I had gone to work at some other warehouse/production site.

What does it mean to have a job and be back in the workforce?

 It means I have access to support that I wouldn't otherwise have without having a job. I had been out of commission for very many years. I had considered myself a professional panhandler (I would also sell jewelry that I make) in the few years prior to finding employment through Ground Up. And, while that's not a real job, I did have regulars that helped me out a lot.

But I was able to support myself and my (then) boyfriend. Being back in the workforce as a really big deal. I had been out of a job for almost 10 years. It's hard to get a foot in the door when you're homeless: where do I shower? Where do I stash my stuff for the day? Where can I get free laundry done? And there's a lot more that goes with that also, and I'm glad that I don't have to worry about those things anymore.

What do you like to do for fun? 

I go rockhounding, to get gemstones to make jewelry. I do a lot of home improvement projects with my boyfriend. I play with my children and my pets. And video games.

What are you passionate about? 

I am passionate about sharing my experience, strength, hope and story to other women going through the same things I went through. I'm passionate about learning new things. Helping people grow. Being a mom. And my slowly growing jewelry business.

What’s your favorite Ground Up flavor and way to enjoy it?! 

Well my all-time favorite is the ginger snap! But I think they've discontinued it? Very sad! And I just eat it all my nut butter straight out of the jar.. or with fruit, on granola, on crackers, and in lieu of peanut butter on PB&J's.