Did you know that Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Commercial Services division holds a partnership with AbilityOne, a federal program that is one of the largest sources for employment for people who are blind or have significant disabilities? Goodwill Commercial Services is one of the approximately 500 nonprofit organizations that employ individuals with barriers to employment, such as disabilities, and provides quality services to the Federal Government at a fair market price. 

Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP), a program that pairs first-time mothers with a registered nurse, celebrated its 10th anniversary in October. Goodwill’s NFP supports the Indiana Department of Health’s campaign to reduce infant death, provide prenatal care and teach parents about smoking cessation, breastfeeding and safe sleep. 

Meet Eric Schlegel, Vice President of Operations for Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. Eric has served Goodwill for over a decade, beginning as a Senior Director for Goodwill’s Outlets and E-Commerce divisions. In his current role, Eric works across the entire organization to help ensure our operations teams are set up for success in both our business and our mission every day. 

When most people think of sustainability, they think of recycling trash, using reusable shopping and produce bags or using recyclable materials in their homes. But, buying secondhand and vintage clothing, shoes and other items is also a great way to practice sustainability and reduce the strain on our natural resources. 

In 2020, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, sponsored two doula certification courses in an effort to combat and reduce the Black morbidity and mortality rates of birthing people in Indiana; beginning with the community in Marion County. 

Thanksgiving may not be a holiday associated with putting up lights or a tree, but that does not mean that Thanksgiving decorations do not exist. Luckily, Goodwill has over 70 retail and outlet locations throughout central and southern Indiana that can help you find exactly what you need this holiday season.