Last month, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana was buzzing with energy as hundreds of volunteers from Eli Lilly and Company joined us for the annual Lilly Global Day of Service. Across 25 Goodwill locations – including our retail stores, outlets and Indianapolis Metropolitan High School – Lilly volunteers spent the day giving back, learning about Goodwill’s mission and engaging directly with the people we serve.

When Saja Abbas was in middle school in Iraq, her education came to a sudden halt. The war that began in 2003 disrupted daily life, closing schools and shifting her family’s focus to survival. “I was a kid at home who didn’t understand what was going on,” Saja recalled. “But it was a big impact on my education.”

Adonis’s journey began in November 2014 when he enrolled in the Janitorial Training Program (JTP), which provides on-the-job janitorial training for individuals facing employment barriers. His dedication and hard work led him to graduate from the program and secure full-time employment as a janitor working for Goodwill at the VA Hospital through the AbilityOne program. This federal initiative partners with not-for-profit organizations like Goodwill to provide jobs to persons with disabilities. 

On September 10, The AMP at 16 Tech was filled with energy, hope and purpose as Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana hosted its fourth annual Goodwill: UNBOXED fundraiser. The sold-out event brought together community leaders, partners and supporters who share a belief in building brighter futures for Hoosiers.

Darnell Bates is a dedicated father, a respected manufacturing supervisor and a mentor to many at Goodwill Commercial Services. But the journey to the life he leads today was anything but easy.

At just 14 years old, Brithney Isidore arrived in the United States from Chile with her mother and sister, stepping into a new country, culture and language. When she enrolled at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, she spoke little English, often relying on Google Translate just to get through class. “It was hard for me to go through classes and just communicate in general,” she shared. But even then, Brithney refused to settle.

What started as bringing a single retail store to life more than a decade ago has evolved into a powerful, purpose-driven partnership. Sullivan Commercial, this year’s Goodwill: UNBOXED Title Sponsor, has been deeply connected to Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana for over 15 years – growing alongside the organization and supporting its mission in meaningful, multifaceted ways. 

The Goodwill Young Leaders Board recently wrapped up another successful Gather for Goodwill event. This year’s theme, All Star Games, brought together more than 200 community members and supporters for an evening filled with friendly competition, great food and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

For Moussa Ibrahim, opportunity often wears the disguise of need. Whether it’s a student trying to budget for tuition or a community seeking financial literacy, Moussa shows up ready to serve and stretch each opportunity into something greater. A mission-driven professional and passionate relationship builder, he’s spent the last few years using his skills to uplift others – both in his role at Old National Bank and as a dedicated member of the Goodwill Young Leaders Board, a board of professionals formed to engage a new generation of leaders to further the mission of Goodwill.

National Nurses Week is a time to recognize the vital contributions of nurses and the essential role they play in building healthy communities. At Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, we are proud to celebrate the incredible nurses who serve families through our Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP).