Last month, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana was buzzing with energy as hundreds of volunteers from Eli Lilly and Company joined us for the annual Lilly Global Day of Service. Across 25 Goodwill locations – including our retail stores, outlets and Indianapolis Metropolitan High School – Lilly volunteers spent the day giving back, learning about Goodwill’s mission and engaging directly with the people we serve.

Every year, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) with an event that connects Goodwill employees, internal resources and community partners specializing in disability services.

When Saja Abbas was in middle school in Iraq, her education came to a sudden halt. The war that began in 2003 disrupted daily life, closing schools and shifting her family’s focus to survival. “I was a kid at home who didn’t understand what was going on,” Saja recalled. “But it was a big impact on my education.”

Adonis’s journey began in November 2014 when he enrolled in the Janitorial Training Program (JTP), which provides on-the-job janitorial training for individuals facing employment barriers. His dedication and hard work led him to graduate from the program and secure full-time employment as a janitor working for Goodwill at the VA Hospital through the AbilityOne program. This federal initiative partners with not-for-profit organizations like Goodwill to provide jobs to persons with disabilities. 

For over a year, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s career coaching and workforce intermediary, Goodwill TalentSource, has partnered with BMO Bank to bring opportunities in banking and financial services to untapped talent in Indianapolis through BMORE. This program strives to remove barriers that may prevent people from moving into a career in banking. One example of a barrier is limited education.

Annually, the first Friday in October is observed as Manufacturing Day, an opportunity to recognize the vital role manufacturing plays in our economy, communities, and daily lives. At Goodwill Commercial Services, a division of Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, we are proud to be part of the contract manufacturing industry, producing high-quality goods, delivering reliable services, and creating meaningful careers for individuals who face barriers to employment.

On September 10, The AMP at 16 Tech was filled with energy, hope and purpose as Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana hosted its fourth annual Goodwill: UNBOXED fundraiser. The sold-out event brought together community leaders, partners and supporters who share a belief in building brighter futures for Hoosiers.

Goodwill TalentSource™, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s career coaching and workforce intermediary, has had the great opportunity to partner with The Global Good Fund and Amani Institute to pilot the GoodBiz Entrepreneurial Leadership Development Program. The program is equipping 10 small business owners or entrepreneurs within Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s mission and education network with the tools to grow their businesses, become stronger leaders and work towards their business goals.

At Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, two thirds of our over 6,000 employees have a barrier to employment such as a disability, a lack of high school diploma or criminal background. Another barrier that is common in the workforce but often overlooked is age.

On September 9, The Greater Kokomo Economic Alliance and Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana came together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Goodwill store on the west side of Kokomo (2222 West Sycamore Street (SR 22)). To commemorate the anniversary, a ribbon cutting was held at the front of the building, featuring speakers from both organizations.