The Excel Center®, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s tuition-free high school for adults, recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its southeast Indianapolis location (2251 Sloan Avenue). Speakers included Kent A. Kramer, president & CEO of Goodwill, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Johnny Manson, school director, and Adriana Flores, a recent graduate. 

When Johnny Manson joined Goodwill in October 2016 as a part-time donation attendant, he had been struggling to secure employment due to past legal issues and a lifelong history of depression. 

In November 2023, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana opened its newest retail location In Westfield, Indiana. Newly promoted site lead Jamie Nail was present to cut the ribbon at the grand opening, marking a new chapter in her life.

In the early 1990s, Jamie, who was pregnant at the time, was involved in a severe car accident that damaged her spine and nervous system. She underwent two corrective spinal surgeries to help repair the damage. During her recovery, Jamiel was prescribed pain medication, which eventually led to a dependency. After her second surgery, her doctor advised her to recover without a prescription, which she found particularly challenging.

“I got physically sick, but also mentally felt like I had fallen into a black hole,” Jamie said.

Seeking alternatives to pain medication, she turned to opioids and, eventually, heroin. During this time, Jamiel lost her job and home, leading to life on the streets. This became a turning point for her.

“I was homeless for about a year and a half when I finally decided I was tired of being cold, hungry, and just existing to find my next fix,” Jamie said.

Eventually, Jamie would become involved with the criminal justice system. While completing community service, Jamie learned about a job opportunity at a local Goodwill retail store. When it was time to find work, she applied and joined Goodwill in 2019 as a cashier.

“It seemed like a good opportunity, as not many places want to give a felon a second chance,” Jamie said.

Jamie quickly found success at Goodwill. Within a few months, she was promoted to team lead. In this role, she thrived by helping others find purpose in their jobs and engaging with regular shoppers. A year later, she was promoted to team lead 2.

A commitment to personal and professional growth drives Goodwill Commercial Services’ Manufacturing Department Supervisor, Evan Boehner. In 2021, Evan joined Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Commercial Services team as an hourly associate at the Bloomington location and quickly became a valued member of the facility’s leadership team.

Before joining Goodwill manufacturing, a division of Goodwill Commercial Services, Evan struggled with addiction for over 12 years, which eventually led to three years of incarceration on drug-related charges. During this time, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact all aspects of life.

"Being incarcerated gave me the time I needed to address my addiction,” Evan said.

Upon his release in 2021, Evan joined the Amethyst House, a Bloomington-based nonprofit, United Way agency that provides residential and outpatient services for people with drug and alcohol addiction. During his time there, a friend suggested working for Goodwill. Soon after, Evan joined the Bloomington Goodwill manufacturing team as an assembler, where he was welcomed with moral support and understanding.

Evan utilized the support of his Goodwill Mission Coach, a life and career coach who works one-on-one with employees, graduates, and program participants to help them achieve personal and professional goals. This support helped him prepare to transition out of the Amethyst House and into his own place.

"I noticed working at Goodwill was different than other jobs. They wanted to give me a shot," Evan said.

Evan found success at Goodwill, earning multiple promotions before accepting his current role as the Bloomington facility’s Manufacturing Department Supervisor. In this role, he focuses on operational performance, quality, and efficiency while supporting his team and facility's hiring, safety, and learning and development. In addition to his work responsibilities, Evan attends Purdue University Global. He is on track to graduate in December 2024, achieving his associate degree in business administration and management. Evan utilized Goodwill's Education Support Program to help cover the cost of his tuition.

Evan strives to positively impact his team, just as his coworkers have affected him. Since starting at Goodwill, he has achieved many victories and anticipates celebrating five years of sobriety in November 2024. He consistently advocates for Goodwill in hiring new talent for the manufacturing team and supports his team members and their goals.

"Looking back, I’ve had a lot of structure and opportunity working at Goodwill. Now, I have a home, a family, and an actual career," Evan said.

Are you interested in a new career opportunity in manufacturing? Check out our careers page for current employment opportunities.

When Richard Wagoner was 24 years old, he was involved in a car accident that left him with lifelong paralysis of his lower body. For nearly 30 years since, he has navigated life in a wheelchair. 

For over 10 years, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s New Beginnings program has helped those who have been previously incarcerated reenter their communities. The program is designed to offer Hoosiers the resources to address the barriers they encounter after being released from the criminal justice system. 

Since 2017, Second Chance Month has been observed in the United States to highlight the importance of supporting previously incarcerated people as they work to reenter their communities.

"My life is completely different now. I have resources, mobility and a support system. I finally have meaning," said Loretta "Lori" Fairfield, a Team Lead 2 at Goodwill.

Lori's life prior to joining Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana was marked by trauma and adversity. She experienced the loss of multiple family members, while her parents battled alcohol addiction. Later in life, Lori herself grappled with addiction, leading to her incarceration in 1997.

After spending over 25 years in the criminal justice system, Lori reached a turning point where she was determined to transform her life. Achieving seven months of sobriety, Lori entered house arrest with the intention of reentering the workforce. However, she encountered barriers securing employment due to her previous incarceration. At the suggestion of her caseworker, Lori embraced the opportunity to work for Goodwill and joined the Goodwill retail store in Lebanon as a wares producer in November 2021.

During her tenure at Goodwill, Lori made significant progress in her personal and professional life. She established a more structured routine with her grandson, pursued her education and actively participated in various forms of outpatient therapy. Through therapy, Lori addressed the trauma she had experienced and worked on managing her severe social anxiety.

Lori tackled financial challenges and set goals for advancing her career with her Goodwill Mission Coach, a life and career coach. Mission Coaches are available to all Goodwill employees and students. As she gained new skills and responsibilities, Lori was promoted to the role of Team Lead within her first year at Goodwill. Lori's peers recognized her progress, success and dedication to her role, resulting in another promotion to Team Lead 2 within a few months.

"I love my job, the people and the diversity,” said Lori. “I enjoy helping people."

Since joining Goodwill, Lori has achieved numerous milestones with the support of her team. Drawing on her life experiences, she finds common ground with others facing adversity and aspires to guide and support her peers as a strong leader.

"I wouldn't be here without them. They stuck by me and supported me through my legal barriers, educational barriers and the dramatic things in my life. I have a career now!"

Are you looking to start a career at Goodwill? Check out our website for current job openings!

Goodwill New Beginnings, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s reentry program, was excited to celebrate its last graduation of 2023. Individuals who have experienced the criminal justice system were honored for achieving all of the requirements to graduate from the program and reenter their communities.