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.

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.

After the loss of her husband, Bunmi Oloke, along with her two young sons, made the decision to leave their homeland of Nigeria and seek asylum in the United States in December 2018. Overwhelmed by grief and grappling with the weight of her new reality, Bunmi found herself confronting not only the challenges of adapting to a foreign land but also the formidable task of preserving her mental well-being.

In recognition of Older Americans Month, we spoke with Patricia Culp about her journey with Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. Patricia embarked on her journey with Goodwill in 2015, starting as a cashier at the Lafayette retail store. This occurred during a challenging period in her personal life; she had recently lost her father and assumed the role of caretaker for her mother, who was battling dementia.

As her mother's condition progressed, Patricia transitioned to full-time caregiving, leading to her departure from her job at Goodwill. Following her mother's passing, Patricia found herself grappling with grief.

"I didn’t know what to do with myself. I got depressed, and I felt like an orphan," Patricia said.

Soon, Patricia found that she had more time on her hands than what she knew what to do with. Seeking a new sense of purpose, Patricia rejoined the Goodwill retail team at the same Lafayette location in September of 2022.

"I was nervous, but I started to feel better as soon as I started," Patricia said.

Thriving in her role on the sales floor, Patricia quickly established herself as a valued member of the retail team. Over time, she honed her skills across various departments, from cashier to textiles, wares, and books, positioning herself for future leadership opportunities.

In April 2024, Patricia achieved a significant milestone in her career when she accepted the role of Team Lead at the Lafayette retail location. She aspires to emulate the leadership she has received from her mentors within the organization. Looking ahead, Patricia envisions a long-term commitment to Goodwill, expressing gratitude for the supportive environment it provides.

"They are the kindest, nonjudgmental people I have ever met. I have so much more confidence in myself and others because of them," Patricia said.

Are you or someone you know seeking employment? Check out current opportunities on our website. 

As we enter the month of May, Goodwill wants to take a moment to highlight the significance of Mental Health Awareness Month and why it’s important to us.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana made its second appearance at MAVPAK’s annual Pallet Games competition on Wednesday, April 24. MAVPAK, a packaging company founded in 2015, offers packaging, warehousing, and equipment solutions to its customers. The company supplies all of the packaging materials and additional support to Goodwill’s eCommerce division. 

"Through my faith, I decided that I should take my gifts and create a company that acts as a shining light," said John Goo, the founder and president of MAVPAK.

John first encountered the idea of these games as a volunteer during a similar event in Louisville, Kentucky. Inspired, he developed his own version, which became known as the Pallet Games.

"I love to celebrate the hourly workforce and logistics industry. This is the one big thing we can do to give back and have fun for no other reason than to celebrate," John said.

The competition brings together a collection of MAVPAK’s customers for a day of fun, games, and teamwork. It aims to unite the warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing communities to build culture and inspire teamwork. Each team consists of 10 to 20 players that participate in games that require skill sets found in warehouse environments, such as packing delicate materials, navigating obstacles with a pallet jack, and so much more. 

Teams are encouraged to dress up and show out. Each team is encouraged to decorate their own pallet and is welcomed to the games on a red carpet with an official introduction from MAVPAK’s team complete with music, cheers, and spirit. During down time, players can partake in a series of mini games throughout the warehouse to keep the fun going at all times. 

"My life is completely different now. I have resources, mobility and a support system. I finally have meaning," said Loretta "Lori" Fairfield, a Team Lead 2 at Goodwill.

Lori's life prior to joining Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana was marked by trauma and adversity. She experienced the loss of multiple family members, while her parents battled alcohol addiction. Later in life, Lori herself grappled with addiction, leading to her incarceration in 1997.

After spending over 25 years in the criminal justice system, Lori reached a turning point where she was determined to transform her life. Achieving seven months of sobriety, Lori entered house arrest with the intention of reentering the workforce. However, she encountered barriers securing employment due to her previous incarceration. At the suggestion of her caseworker, Lori embraced the opportunity to work for Goodwill and joined the Goodwill retail store in Lebanon as a wares producer in November 2021.

During her tenure at Goodwill, Lori made significant progress in her personal and professional life. She established a more structured routine with her grandson, pursued her education and actively participated in various forms of outpatient therapy. Through therapy, Lori addressed the trauma she had experienced and worked on managing her severe social anxiety.

Lori tackled financial challenges and set goals for advancing her career with her Goodwill Mission Coach, a life and career coach. Mission Coaches are available to all Goodwill employees and students. As she gained new skills and responsibilities, Lori was promoted to the role of Team Lead within her first year at Goodwill. Lori's peers recognized her progress, success and dedication to her role, resulting in another promotion to Team Lead 2 within a few months.

"I love my job, the people and the diversity,” said Lori. “I enjoy helping people."

Since joining Goodwill, Lori has achieved numerous milestones with the support of her team. Drawing on her life experiences, she finds common ground with others facing adversity and aspires to guide and support her peers as a strong leader.

"I wouldn't be here without them. They stuck by me and supported me through my legal barriers, educational barriers and the dramatic things in my life. I have a career now!"

Are you looking to start a career at Goodwill? Check out our website for current job openings!