In the heart of Franklin, Indiana, the local Goodwill of Southern & Central Indiana retail store is more than just a place to find a hidden treasure or a vintage sweater. For Carly Stevason, it’s the place where the blurry edges of her world finally came into sharp focus.

For over a decade, Matt Hacker has been a vital part of the Goodwill team, bringing with him not just industry expertise, but a genuine passion for people and mission-driven work. Recently, Matt achieved a significant milestone: earning his Registered Environmental Services Executive (RESE) certification through ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, an achievement that helps set the stage for Goodwill Commercial Services’s continued growth into new markets.

In 1989, upon graduating from high school, Shawn Basore joined Goodwill’s Commercial Services division. He had no work history or job skills and participated in Goodwill’s Work Experience Program, which provided job training and employment services to persons with disabilities, preparing them for successful employment. 

Trelles Evans, Director of Mission Advancement for Reentry and Disability Services at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, discusses her role and the people served by the programs she oversees.

Nearly half of 25-year-olds with autism have never had a paying job and only 16% of persons with autism ever live independently, so when twin brothers Andre and Austin Archer connected with Goodwill Disability Services in 2016 and said they were eager to do both, our team got to work. 

Matt Easterday is a pillar of the Zionsville Kroger. Most of the regulars know him by name and are always appreciative of his expert bagging skills and positive attitude. 

In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, most individuals have adjusted to a “new normal”. Whether that means wearing a mask in public, or video conferencing throughout the day instead of meeting in-person, many of us are changing our routines and taking precautions to help ourselves and others stay safe. 

Goodwill has a long history of helping those with disabilities increase their independence and reach their potential, especially through employment. About 10 percent of people in the U.S. have what’s called invisible disabilities. That means a physical, mental or neurological condition that limits a person’s movements, senses or activities and is invisible to the average onlooker.

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury, Aaron Yates has trouble storing long-term memories. In 2016, he started working with Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Disability Services team to find a job.

Passed by Congress in 1990, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects individuals from discrimination based on a disability. The ADA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with a disability and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations.