Goodwill New Beginnings, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s reentry program, was excited to celebrate its second graduation in 2023. In a June ceremony, 12 individuals who have experienced the justice system were honored for accomplishing their reentry goals and fulfilling all of the requirements to graduate from the program.

The graduation ceremony took place Thursday, June 8, 2023, at the Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana Corporate Office. The ceremony provided graduates with a unique opportunity to share their accomplishments and experiences, surrounded by family members, friends and mentors who supported them through the reentry process.

“At Goodwill New Beginnings, it’s important to us to celebrate our participants’ accomplishments,” said Dr. Trelles Evans, regional director of reentry services at Goodwill. “Many of our graduates have been able to overcome substantial barriers, and it’s important to recognize their efforts.”

People striving to reenter their communities often have barriers to securing safe housing, finding family-sustaining employment and education opportunities and building supportive social networks. Factors like housing and wellness – both physical and mental – are not only essential to a person’s survival but also affect the possibility to recidivate or return to the justice system. 

“Goodwill New Beginnings is a program designed to break down those barriers and meet the needs of justice-involved Hoosiers,” said Dr. Evans. 

The program offers resources and support to help individuals secure housing and healthcare, reinstate their driver’s licenses, address legal challenges and more with the goal of transitioning participants from entry-level work at Goodwill to a skilled, in-demand career within their community. 

Last year, graduates of Goodwill New Beginnings maintained a zero percent recidivism rate compared to Indiana’s 33.8%. 

If you would like to learn more about Goodwill New Beginnings, visit goodwillindy.org/employment-services.