Walking down the halls of Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, you can feel the energy of students working hard toward their futures. Every student has a unique story, and some have overcome challenges along the way. Brittany Yanasak, a teacher with sixteen years of experience, understands this deeply. Having spent four years at Indy Met as the Multilingual Learner Teacher of Record, she knows that sometimes students just need a place to let their imaginations run wild.

In June, Goodwill hosted its eighth annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, bringing together the community and law enforcement for a day of friendly competition and sportsmanship.

Each year, Goodwill employees are encouraged to share stories of individuals who have overcome significant barriers to achieve success. Through a formal nomination and selection process, candidates are narrowed down to the top three finalists in each category.Once the award winners are selected, a video production process begins to bring these remarkable stories of resilience to life.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s reentry program, New Beginnings, has helped individuals impacted by the criminal justice system start fresh since 2011. The program offers participants resources and services that help them overcome barriers, address legal challenges, and more.

As The Excel Center® in Shelbyville celebrates its 10th anniversary, the milestone serves as an opportunity to reflect on a decade of transformation, opportunity and community impact. Since opening its doors in 2016, the school has helped hundreds of adult learners earn their high school diplomas while creating pathways to college, career advancement and brighter futures. Few people have been more closely connected to that story than Khalilah Palmer.

In the heart of rural Indiana, where the roads stretch long and the opportunities can sometimes feel sparse, you would find David. When Susan Sheets, Goodwill TalentSource™ Rural Career Pathways Grant Coordinator, first met David in January 2025, he had just graduated from The Excel Center® in Richmond. He was a young man with a sharp mind for logic and math but faced barriers that would have caused many to stay exactly where they were.

In the heart of Franklin, Indiana, the local Goodwill of Southern & Central Indiana retail store is more than just a place to find a hidden treasure or a vintage sweater. For Carly Stevason, it’s the place where the blurry edges of her world finally came into sharp focus.

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we pause to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms. At Goodwill Commercial Services, we are especially proud to share the story of James Brown, affectionately known by his colleagues as “JB.” For 24 years, JB has been a cornerstone of the Fort Benjamin Harrison Commissary location, bringing the same discipline and heart to his role today as he did during his decades of military service.

At Goodwill, we know that mental health is not separate from the workplace. It shows up in our energy, our focus and our ability to navigate the challenges of daily life. For many of the individuals we serve and employ, work is not just a job. It is a source of stability, confidence and connection. That is why supporting mental health is part of how we support people.