Chasing Dreams with The Excel Center

    [fa icon="calendar'] Apr 30, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in Employment, The Excel Center, Education, Goodwill Education

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    After working different jobs at minimum wage, Allen Kessinger realized that he had a dream of becoming an Indianapolis police officer – but he needed a high school diploma to apply for a position and begin training. A Core 40 diploma would allow Allen to earn a family-sustaining income and grow in his career.

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    Excel Center Graduate Redefines Success

    [fa icon="calendar'] Apr 2, 2024 12:12:32 PM / by Rachel Moehle posted in Nurse-Family Partnership, The Excel Center, Education, Goodwill Education, University Heights

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    The Excel Center Celebrates Winter Graduates

    [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 27, 2024 9:15:00 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in The Excel Center, Education, Mission Awareness, Multi-gen impact, Goodwill Education

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    The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, recently celebrated 339 graduates during its winter ceremonies. Designed to empower individuals to overcome adversity and reach their potential, The Excel Center provides a unique opportunity for adult learners to earn an Indiana Core 40 high school diploma.

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    The Resilient Spirit: Nicole’s Story of Triumph

    [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 15, 2024 1:00:00 PM / by Sam Stockman posted in The Excel Center, Education, Southern Indiana, Goodwill Education

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    Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership Provides Hope to Young Moms

    [fa icon="calendar'] Feb 27, 2024 1:30:00 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Nurse-Family Partnership, Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Mission Awareness, Multi-gen impact, Goodwill Education

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    When Natalie Preimesberger enrolled in Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) in 2019, she had no job, no transportation, no stable housing, no high school diploma and many challenges to overcome. She grew up in a household where she experienced trauma, including exposure to substance abuse. 

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    Earning a Diploma and Creating a Legacy

    [fa icon="calendar'] Feb 20, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in The Excel Center, Education, Multi-gen impact, Goodwill Education

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    To grow in his career and earn a family-sustaining wage, Mark Powell needed his high school diploma.

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    Celebrating Black History Month with L’Tanya White

    [fa icon="calendar'] Feb 13, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in The Excel Center, Education, DEI, Black History Month

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    Black History Month continues, and so does Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s highlight of African American leaders contributing to our mission: changing lives every day through education, employment and health. Our next spotlight is on L’Tanya White, the director of The Excel Center® in Clarksville. She brings a passion for inspiring others and 20 years of experience to the school’s staff and students.

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    Staying Motivated at The Excel Center

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 30, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in The Excel Center, Education, Mission Awareness

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    The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, provided a priceless opportunity for Veronica McNeil to earn her high school diploma in a supportive environment.

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    Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Mission Growth

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 26, 2024 1:32:26 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Community Partners, Employment, Nurse-Family Partnership, The Excel Center, Education, Foundation, Retail, mental health, Multi-gen impact, Strategic Plan, Goodwill Education, DEI

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    Last year was a big year for Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana as we educated, employed and served more individuals than ever before. Since launching our new Strategic Plan two years ago, we’ve made significant progress on our objectives and goals.

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    From Student to Mission Coach: A Path to Growth at Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 17, 2024 12:41:58 PM / by Sam Stockman posted in Employment, Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Retail, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, Goodwill Education

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    Goodwill Mission Coach Benjamin Hutto began his journey with Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana in 2016 when he enrolled at The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s high school for adults. Previously homeschooled, Ben struggled to focus, which he later learned was related to undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.  But The Excel Center in Kokomo empowered him to earn the credits he needed to graduate at an accelerated pace.

    Ben continued his education by earning an associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College in 2018, and his bachelor's degree from Indiana University Kokomo the following year. Then, in 2020, the pandemic happened. 

    Due to his laser focus on his education, Ben had no work history, and he experienced barriers to finding a job after graduating. His Goodwill Mission Coach encouraged him to apply for a leadership position at a local Goodwill store, which led to the next step of his Goodwill journey as a Retail Team Lead. Although Ben was later promoted, he strived to do something beyond the scope of retail. When the opportunity to become a mission coach emerged, he jumped at the chance and applied. 

    “I know it sounds cliche, but I really enjoy helping others,” said Ben. “I feel that, given my path at Goodwill, I’m uniquely qualified to help students and employees make those connections.”

    In 2022, Ben was officially welcomed as the newest Goodwill Mission Coach. He now supports people with similar experiences, who have barriers to employment or education and can use a helping hand to reach their goals. As a mission coach, he connects Goodwill’s employees and students to a number of resources, like Goodwill New Beginnings, a reentry program for individuals previously involved in the criminal justice system, and The Excel Center – the first step in his own Goodwill journey.

    “I really appreciate the chances Goodwill gave me,” said Ben. “They were willing to take a risk on me knowing that risks don’t always pay off. There are many companies that won’t do that, so when I’m working with our employees and students, I share my own journey to give them hope about what they can achieve at Goodwill.”

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