When Angela Felix learned she was pregnant and moving to Indiana, she knew she wanted a more stable life and better income for herself and her child. She knew the first step toward achieving stability was to complete her education. As she researched, The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s free high school for adults, caught her attention.

“The staff talked about helping me get a certification and a career in a field I want,” said Angela.

Angela enrolled in The Excel Center in July 2023, hoping to enter the health care field after graduation.  

“The support is different,” said Angela. “The staff really has a drive to help people get their diploma and set them up for success.”

Each year, International Mentoring Day is observed on January 17. This observance is an opportunity to recognize mentors and the impacts they’ve had on their mentees. For those who we employ, educate and serve at Goodwill, coaches often act as mentors, providing the essential guidance to employees, students and program participants who want to increase their independence and reach their full potential.

Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) pairs first-time, expectant parents with a registered nurse for ongoing visits to support families so they can provide the very best start for their children during the earliest, most developmentally critical years. 

Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP), a maternal-child program that pairs registered nurses with first-time parents, celebrates its 13th anniversary in 2024. For over a decade, Goodwill NFP nurses have partnered with families to deliver trusted information to achieve a healthy pregnancy, birth and early childhood.

Every October, the United States Department of Labor recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This period celebrates the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy.

Every year, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana hosts Goodwill’s Education and Mission Conference (GEM), a one-day professional development event. Mission and education professionals throughout Goodwill’s central and southern Indiana network have the opportunity to learn from one another and share best practices in their work through presentations and panel discussions.

Every year, thousands of Lilly employees volunteer at community-centered organizations worldwide for Lilly Global Day of Service. This year, the global pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Indianapolis, had over 500 employees volunteer at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana.

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.

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. 

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.