Michael Pack, Jr. - 2020 Achiever of the Year

Michael Pack, Jr. believes that everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed.

Early life for Michael was difficult. His mother and father were both addicts who abused drugs and alcohol during pregnancy and after his birth. Michael was passed back and forth between his mother’s and father’s homes as they struggled with substance and physical abuse. Michael remembers frequent trips to the gas station where his father used him to beg for money to fund his father’s drug purchases. Due to this turbulence, Michael missed out on a significant portion of his early elementary school education. Although his biological parents have not been in his life for many years, Michael has sympathy for his mother and all that she endured stating, “She did her best.”

When Michael was nine years old, his uncle and namesake, Michael Pack Sr., rescued Michael and his younger sister, preventing them from being separated. Ever since, Michael Sr. has filled the role, and earned the honored title, of “Pops”. He and his partner, Bob LoParo, have advocated for Michael and provided stability, love and support.

In addition to the challenges caused by his educational delays, Michael was also diagnosed with ADHD, a learning disability and speech disorder. These obstacles, coupled with the ongoing effects of childhood trauma, impacted Michael through his teenage years. After high school he dealt with debilitating depression that nearly drove him to suicide. He received medication, therapy and developed coping skills which provided new hope. He also began to understand that the challenges he endured had nurtured an inner strength and tenacity that he could use to change.

Despite his best efforts for almost four years after high school, Michael was not able to gain employment. He eventually began receiving services from the Harbor Regional Center where he met Monica Beebe who has assisted with housing, budgeting, and employment which began as a referral to Goodwill SOLAC.

At first, he was afraid of more rejection. Despite his concerns, Michael began working in a supported employment position with a job coach at Goodwill. His job coach, Latasha Badelle provided training and encouragement. Michael states, “She put the hammer of reality down! She is a role model and a friend.” During his employment at Goodwill he gained valuable work skills, a job history, a resume and more importantly, self-confidence. Michael’s father stated that Goodwill did not let Michael fall through the cracks.

When Goodwill advised Michael that a paid internship position was available at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, he jumped at the opportunity. Michael says that the people at the hospital welcomed him into their “family” from the first day. Within months of his internship, Michael became the first Goodwill participant to be hired by the medical center. Michael now has extensive training in all areas of food service and is a stellar employee. Michael has transitioned from having a full-time one-on-one job coach at his side to a once-a-week visit.

Michael’s father is extremely proud of the growth that he has seen in his son. He stated that his employment has given him purpose and he is “shining like he never shined before.”

Michael hopes to spend many years with his “family” at Torrance Memorial. In fact, his dream job is to work in Patient Access where he can have a positive impact of those who are in need. He also has plans to save enough money to purchase his own condominium. In addition to saving for his future home, Michael is saving money with the goal of taking his dad, Michael Sr., on a cruise as a way thank him for all that he has done.

Michael’s life has become a testimony of the power of work. “Everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed.”