In honor of Military Appreciation Month, we pause to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms. At Goodwill Commercial Services, we are especially proud to share the story of James Brown, affectionately known by his colleagues as “JB.” For 24 years, JB has been a cornerstone of the Fort Benjamin Harrison Commissary location, bringing the same discipline and heart to his role today as he did during his decades of military service.

At Goodwill, we know that mental health is not separate from the workplace. It shows up in our energy, our focus and our ability to navigate the challenges of daily life. For many of the individuals we serve and employ, work is not just a job. It is a source of stability, confidence and connection. That is why supporting mental health is part of how we support people.

For many students at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a free public school for students in grades 9-12, the world often feels defined by the height of city buildings and the rhythm of busy streets. However, thanks to a special afterschool program called Reach for Nature, those horizons are expanding. As part of Goodwill Central and Southern Indiana and the Goodwill Legacy Group, this Indy Met program offers more than just a break from the classroom. It offers a bridge to a world of wonder that many urban youth rarely get to cross.

Life has a funny way of taking us on detours. For Wendi, that detour started early, when she was just 16 years old and she dropped out of high school.

For 15 years, Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® has paired expectant parents with registered nurses who provide support to families during the earliest, most developmentally critical years in a child’s life. Nurses walk alongside families during their pregnancies and until their children turn two, building strong relationships that support and encourage them to grow as parents and individuals.

Montez Day knows firsthand that a single moment does not define a lifetime. Today, he serves as the Manager of Goodwill New Beginnings at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, a role he stepped into in 2025 after starting as a facilitator and receiving several promotions since joining the organization in September 2021. But his path to leadership was shaped by years of transformation, education, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.

For many individuals leaving the justice system, the road back to stability isn’t just uphill, it’s often a dead end. But at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, a transformative initiative called Goodwill New Beginnings is proving that with the right support, the cycle of incarceration can be broken for good.

In the heart of Indianapolis, a unique residential community is doing more than just providing a place to sleep; it's strengthening the city’s economic and social fabric. Riverview Apartments, a premier workforce housing development, represents a vision of a more inclusive and sustainable urban environment.

Goodwill New Beginnings is Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s reentry program, offering resources, wraparound support and intensive case management services to those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. This program not only helps program participants secure healthcare and housing, but also helps them develop the skills and preparation they need to progress professionally.

When Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana and Per Scholas officially partnered in late 2022, they shared a simple but powerful goal: to open doors to opportunity through education. Per Scholas, a national nonprofit that provides no-cost technology career training and job connections, especially for individuals traditionally underrepresented in tech, moved into Goodwill’s corporate offices on West Michigan Street in January 2023. By March, the first cohort of learners had begun, bringing new energy, hope, and possibility into the space.