Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana recognizes and celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), a period to commemorate the contributions, histories and cultures of Latino and Hispanic Americans.

The Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana recently hosted Goodwill: UNBOXED, its third annual sold-out fundraising event. To date, the event has raised nearly $1 million to support our most vulnerable neighbors. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed as individuals without disabilities, significantly limiting their ability to live independently. As one of the largest employers of persons with disabilities in the state of Indiana — one-third of the more than 5,000 Hoosiers we employ report a disability — Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana highlights the extraordinary work of these individuals all year long.

Goodwill is proud to recognize National Employ Older Workers Week, a commemorative week to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older workers. Older workers not only bring years of skill, experience, and work ethic to their jobs; they’re also becoming a greater part of the workforce. As of 2022, the older adult population was increasing at over five times the rate of the younger population in central Indiana alone. 

In November 2023, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana opened its newest retail location In Westfield, Indiana. Newly promoted site lead Jamie Nail was present to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, marking a new chapter in her life.

In the early 1990s, Jamie, who was pregnant at the time, was involved in a severe car accident that damaged her spine and nervous system. She underwent two corrective spinal surgeries to help repair the damage. During her recovery, Jamiel was prescribed pain medication, which eventually led to a dependency. After her second surgery, her doctor advised her to recover without a prescription, which she found particularly challenging.

“I got physically sick, but also mentally felt like I had fallen into a black hole,” Jamie said.

Seeking alternatives to pain medication, she turned to opioids and, eventually, heroin. During this time, Jamiel lost her job and home, leading to life on the streets. This became a turning point for her.

“I was homeless for about a year and a half when I finally decided I was tired of being cold, hungry, and just existing to find my next fix,” Jamie said.

Eventually, Jamie would become involved with the criminal justice system. While completing community service, Jamie learned about a job opportunity at a local Goodwill retail store. When it was time to find work, she applied and joined Goodwill in 2019 as a cashier.

“It seemed like a good opportunity, as not many places want to give a felon a second chance,” Jamie said.

Jamie quickly found success at Goodwill. Within a few months, she was promoted to team lead. In this role, she thrived by helping others find purpose in their jobs and engaging with regular shoppers. A year later, she was promoted to team lead 2.

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School is a free public school offering a high school education to students in grades 9-12. Indy Met is a best-fit school for teens experiencing circumstances that may present barriers to achieving an education, with an emphasis on ensuring students have a college or career pathway after graduation. The school’s model motivated Bruce Odom to pursue a postsecondary education and become a lifelong learner.

A commitment to personal and professional growth drives Goodwill Commercial Services’ Manufacturing Department Supervisor, Evan Boehner. In 2021, Evan joined Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Commercial Services team as an hourly associate at the Bloomington location and quickly became a valued member of the facility’s leadership team.

Before joining Goodwill manufacturing, a division of Goodwill Commercial Services, Evan struggled with addiction for over 12 years, which eventually led to three years of incarceration on drug-related charges. During this time, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact all aspects of life.

"Being incarcerated gave me the time I needed to address my addiction,” Evan said.

Upon his release in 2021, Evan joined the Amethyst House, a Bloomington-based nonprofit, United Way agency that provides residential and outpatient services for people with drug and alcohol addiction. During his time there, a friend suggested working for Goodwill. Soon after, Evan joined the Bloomington Goodwill manufacturing team as an assembler, where he was welcomed with moral support and understanding.

Evan utilized the support of his Goodwill Mission Coach, a life and career coach who works one-on-one with employees, graduates, and program participants to help them achieve personal and professional goals. This support helped him prepare to transition out of the Amethyst House and into his own place.

"I noticed working at Goodwill was different than other jobs. They wanted to give me a shot," Evan said.

Evan found success at Goodwill, earning multiple promotions before accepting his current role as the Bloomington facility’s Manufacturing Department Supervisor. In this role, he focuses on operational performance, quality, and efficiency while supporting his team and facility's hiring, safety, and learning and development. In addition to his work responsibilities, Evan attends Purdue University Global. He is on track to graduate in December 2024, achieving his associate degree in business administration and management. Evan utilized Goodwill's Education Support Program to help cover the cost of his tuition.

Evan strives to positively impact his team, just as his coworkers have affected him. Since starting at Goodwill, he has achieved many victories and anticipates celebrating five years of sobriety in November 2024. He consistently advocates for Goodwill in hiring new talent for the manufacturing team and supports his team members and their goals.

"Looking back, I’ve had a lot of structure and opportunity working at Goodwill. Now, I have a home, a family, and an actual career," Evan said.

Are you interested in a new career opportunity in manufacturing? Check out our careers page for current employment opportunities.

Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana operates 75 retail stores that not only provide a place for the community to donate their gently used goods and shop for deals, but they also provide meaningful employment opportunities to Hoosiers.

My name is Natalie Morris, and this summer I had the opportunity to be the Corporate Giving Intern with Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana. I am a rising junior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville where I am majoring in both Child Studies and Human and Organizational Development. 

Ashley Pokone, known by her Instagram handle Plaidlattes, is no stranger to secondhand shopping. This practice started in her childhood and grew into a passion. To celebrate National Secondhand Wardrobe Day, we caught up with Ashley, a committed shopper at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana retail stores, to learn more about her love for thrifting.

Growing up, Ashley often wore hand-me-downs, extending the life of the clothing as long as possible. Her first visit to Goodwill ignited a love for thrift shopping that has only grown. She’s now a regular at the Goodwill store on Olio Road in Fishers, Indiana.

“Through shopping at Goodwill, I discovered I could find the clothes I loved for a reasonable price,” Ashley said.

One of her most memorable finds at Goodwill was a dress designed by the famed Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, which she bought for just $7.99.

“It’s a piece of fashion history, and even though it didn’t fit me then, I had to have it,” Ashley said.

Ashley’s interest in fashion took off in her late teens. Since 2008, she has studied fashion magazines and explored different styles, which led to her love for creating fashion-related content, including refurbishing thrifted clothes and DIY tutorials.

One of the things Ashley appreciates about shopping at Goodwill is the consistent layout across its 75 retail locations, which makes it easy to navigate and shop efficiently.

“Goodwill has been a big part of my life from a young age. I never really thought about going to other thrift stores. I like the layout and the fact that it feels familiar in different locations,” she said.

When shopping, Ashley relies on her sense of touch to determine the quality of the fabric. Her familiarity with different textures is so refined that she often identifies a brand by how it feels alone. She explores every section of the store, regardless of gender or size, and usually shops while listening to music, which can influence her choices and style.

Occasionally, she invites friends to join her on Goodwill shopping trips and advises those struggling to find items they like.

“I encourage them to look through the entire store. Many people get stuck in one section, but the style and sizing have changed over the years. My friends always walk out with a big bag in the end,” she said.

For Ashley, Goodwill offers a treasure trove of unique items from various eras. She carefully selects her purchases, fills a cart, and then narrows her choices to the best pieces based on their versatility and quality. 

By shopping at Goodwill, Ashley finds affordable and unique fashion pieces and supports her community. Her commitment to secondhand shopping helps keep resources within the local economy, promotes sustainability by reducing waste, and supports Goodwill's mission to change lives daily through education, employment, and health. Ashley’s love for thrifting reflects how local thrift stores like Goodwill can be a source of personal joy and a means of giving back to the community.

Find the nearest Goodwill retail store near you.