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.

Kris Bussey was only 10 years old when she was first introduced to painkillers on the school bus. 

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is always proud to highlight our hardworking leaders, dedicated to achieving our mission of changing lives every day through employment, education and health. As a Goodwill New Beginnings team member, Montez Day helps those who have experienced the justice system.

Dakota McLaughlin experienced significant challenges growing up. His mother passed away when he was young, and he was also bullied at school, especially when he came out as gay, which often left him feeling alone. After experiencing domestic violence from a family member, Dakota felt safer leaving home, even though he had nowhere else to go. 

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana proudly presents its 2023 Educators of the Year!

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is reflecting on the progress we’ve made as an organization in supporting our employees through their mental health struggles, while removing the stigma surrounding mental illness. However, we also recognize that challenges remain to ensuring quality and affordable mental health care is available to all, and we’re taking steps to provide all of our employees with adequate mental health support.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are top priorities outlined in Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s 2022-2024 strategic plan. In an effort to create a virtuous cycle of communication that inspires belongingness and ensures all voices are heard, respected and valued, Goodwill will be highlighting stories to further increase readers’ learning and understanding of current issues in the DEI space.

When Lacee McCorkle connected to Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) in 2019, she was at a turning point in her life. She had recently graduated from a recovery home after 15 years of drug use and a period of incarceration.

Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership, a program that pairs registered nurses with first-time parents and their families, will expand to serve even more Hoosiers in the coming year. Thanks to funding from both the Indiana State Department of Health and the Lilly Endowment in 2022, the evidence-based model can now be implemented in 61 Indiana counties, increasing the NFP Nurse capacity for families facing concentrated barriers. 

Sarah Schwartz graduated from Indiana University Southeast in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in education and a concentration in math. There weren’t many positions available for math teachers near her home in southern Indiana, so she continued to work part-time in the IU Southeast math lab. She also got a second job at a Goodwill retail store to earn extra income.