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2019 Team Member of the Year

Bonnie Blaydes of Fairbanks, Alaska, went from being in an abusive relationship to being GCE’s 2019 Team Member of the Year. Her life has been quite a journey.

Bonnie Blades 2019 team member of the year
Bonnie Blaydes, 2019 Team Member of the Year

Bonnie struggled with an abusive spouse, but experienced love for the first time when she gave birth to a baby boy. Unfortunately, the addiction she faced was too strong, and she was arrested and sent to a behavioral health facility. While there, she learned about God and began to make changes. The missing link was a job. She couldn’t read or write well, which made the application process quite a challenge. Case workers with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation discovered Bonnie’s learning disability and taught her reading, writing and basic job skills. Then someone at her church told her about jobs at Global Connections to Employment (GCE). Today, Bonnie is a food services shift leader for GCE at the Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks Alaska.

“I love my new life, and I’m never going back,” she says.

Bonnie is grateful to be honored as the 2019 Team Member of the Year. However, she finds strength in helping others. She speaks about addiction awareness to audiences at schools, churches and detox centers. Bonnie also lets people know where to attend Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and how to use daily thoughts of gratitude as a way to heal. Quite often, she reminds people that they are not alone. Bonnie also serves as a board member at the Bread Line, a nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry, and she volunteers at the Stone Soup Café.

“Bonnie lifts up all of us with her positive outlook and encouragement,” said Stephen Sandquist, project manager. “Regardless of her tough life challenges, she uses her gifts to help countless others.”