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.

J’Shon Zeigler enrolled at Indianapolis Met High School, Goodwill’s high school for traditional-age students, his sophomore year. 

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is one of the largest employers for persons with disabilities in Indiana, with more than 1,600 current employees reporting a disability – 34% of our workforce. For 90 years, we’ve been employing individuals and providing job training to Hoosiers who experience barriers to employment. 

One of the great things about working at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is the variety of career opportunities. From retail to education, to health care and support staff – many paths exist for you to build your career at Goodwill. No one knows this better than Anna Scott, Goodwill’s Corporate Payroll Manager. 

When Damiyah Lawrence enrolled at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School during her freshman year, she struggled with a learning disability.

If you’re familiar with Goodwill, you probably recognize us as a place where you can donate your unwanted goods to support employment for people with job barriers and shop for unique treasures at a great price. What you might not know is that we’re more than just a thrift store. With the proceeds generated from your shopping and donations, we empower people to change their lives through the health, education and employment services we provide through our support programs, including:

Established in 2014, the Goodwill Young Leaders Board (GWYLB) formed to engage a new generation of leaders to further the mission of Goodwill. The GWYLs are professionals aged 22-40, outstanding in both their accomplishments and potential, who exemplify diversity across race, age, gender, background, and profession. They impact Goodwill’s mission through direct volunteer service, philanthropic giving and the facilitation of new relationships.

Thanks to your support, lives are being changed in your community. In addition to significant growth in our Retail, eCommerce and Commercial Services divisions over the past year, we currently employ nearly 5,000 Hoosiers – 61% of whom have barriers to employment, like a disability, criminal history or lack of a high school diploma. 

In 2012, Carlton Foster enrolled at The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s high school for adults, to earn his diploma and expand his career possibilities. He would go on to be the first graduate of The Excel Center’s Anderson, Indiana, location while also earning multiple industry-recognized job certifications.

At the age of 13, Katie Reigelsperger learned she was expecting a child. Lacking a support system as her parents struggled with substance abuse and alcoholism, Katie's parents withdrew her from school. While her friends were applying to college and attending prom, Katie was caring for her baby, changing diapers and working a series of low-paying jobs that lacked advancement and had little financial security or benefits. Then she learned about The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, and her career path and life were forever changed.