High school is a journey of self-discovery, but for some students at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, that journey includes navigating the rewards and challenges of parenthood. As a tuition-free public school through Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana, Indy Met is designed to break down barriers to education. Perhaps no program embodies this mission more deeply than the Parent Life elective.

For Amanda Witham, a Site Lead at the Goodwill store in Clarksville, Indiana, her past and trauma followed her like a shadow. Her journey is a profound testament to the fact that experiencing homelessness is not where a story has to end, but a season that can be overcome with resilience and the right support system.

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.

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.

For many students at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a free public school for students in grades 9-12, the world often feels defined by the height of city buildings and the rhythm of busy streets. However, thanks to a special afterschool program called Reach for Nature, those horizons are expanding. As part of Goodwill Central and Southern Indiana and the Goodwill Legacy Group, this Indy Met program offers more than just a break from the classroom. It offers a bridge to a world of wonder that many urban youth rarely get to cross.

Life has a funny way of taking us on detours. For Wendi, that detour started early, when she was just 16 years old and she dropped out of high school.

Montez Day knows firsthand that a single moment does not define a lifetime. Today, he serves as the Manager of Goodwill New Beginnings at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, a role he stepped into in 2025 after starting as a facilitator and receiving several promotions since joining the organization in September 2021. But his path to leadership was shaped by years of transformation, education, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.