When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of public schools, Taylor Martin was only 10 credits away from graduating high school; however, she struggled with the online learning format and was unable to finish. Now 23 years old, life hasn’t been easy. 

Spring cleaning is an age-old tradition of decluttering and refreshing your home or office, embracing the change of seasons by creating a cleaner, more organized space. Here are five spring cleaning tips to help you clean with purpose while maximizing your efforts.

Dim’Mya Norman was going into her freshman year of high school when a family member – and graduate of Indianapolis Metropolitan High School – encouraged her to enroll. 

In 2015, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana implemented the Legal Expungement Advice Program (LEAP) in response to the challenges that people faced with Indiana’s expungement law. Through a partnership with Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law, LEAP provides those affiliated with Goodwill and their immediate families free expungement consultation services.

For over two decades, Tim Brown worked for Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Commercial Services division through the AbilityOne program. However, after learning that his contract was coming to an end, he knew he needed to pivot careers. With his disability affecting learning retention and being accustomed to the position that he held for so long, he had concerns that finding a new job wouldn’t be possible.

Searching for resources and support during her first trimester, Jada “Jae” Stewart ran across Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP), a program that pairs registered nurses with first-time parents. Experiencing very severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), Jae wanted to have another set of eyes to identify what was abnormal and ensure her pregnancy was progressing smoothly.

When Sam Harmeson left high school, they were coping with the death of their mother from a drug overdose and struggling with undiagnosed autism. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, and Sam found it difficult to secure a job, especially without a diploma. In 2023, when Sam and their caretaker and aunt, Bettina Hapney, visited a local Goodwill retail store, Sam learned about an opportunity that would change their life. 

For 23 years, Ben Burris has been a familiar and friendly presence at the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center. Employed by Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Commercial Services division through the AbilityOne program, his role focuses on maintaining the federal center’s gym. This is a bustling space in the building, where employees come to recharge and unwind. Ben takes great pride in keeping the gym clean, ensuring it remains a welcoming environment for all who use it.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and the theme Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations, we honor women whose leadership and vision have created lasting change in their communities and beyond. Few embody this spirit more than Betsy Delgado, Senior Vice President and Chief Mission and Education Officer at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. Through her dedication to expanding educational access and breaking down systemic barriers, Betsy has transformed thousands of lives, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.