Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana Blog

More Than Just a Thrift Store: Getting to Know Goodwill

Written by Jenny Kakasuleff | Aug 17, 2023 5:00:00 PM

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:

  • The Excel Center®: 16 tuition-free high schools for adults
  • Indianapolis Met High School: a high school for traditional-age students
  • The Children’s Learning Center by Goodwill: a preschool for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years
  • Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership®: a maternal-child health care program
  • Goodwill New Beginnings: a re-entry program for the justice-involved
  • Senior Community Service Employment Program: a job training and placement program for seniors age 55+
  • Goodwill Mission Coaches: career and life coaches who work one-on-one with employees, students and program participants

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is one of over 150 independent, not-for-profit organizations in the North American Goodwill network. Our Goodwill is the largest in terms of mission investment, which positions us to have a deep and lasting impact directly in our local communities. From the customers who shop at our stores, to the associates reporting to their jobs, to those enrolled in one of our support programs, Goodwill serves over 10,000 Hoosiers every day. 

We invite you to learn more about Goodwill at UNBOXED ‘23, an annual event coming up on September 14. Your ticket price includes an open bar, all-you-can-eat food from 20 different vendors and a look at Goodwill through the decades. In addition, you’ll be treated to an interactive experience to see firsthand what happens to your box of donations after you drop them off, including how the proceeds from your donations are used to support Hoosiers in our communities. This event will sell out, so make sure to secure your tickets today!

We couldn’t do what we do without you and the people who shop and donate at our stores, so THANK YOU for all you do to support Goodwill. Learn more at goodwillindy.org.