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!
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.
Each year, Goodwill celebrates some of the most extraordinary Hoosiers we serve through a ceremony that honors recipients across seven award categories. Eligible nominees include employees, students, program participants and community partners. When you donate and shop at Goodwill, you're empowering people in your community, like those whose stories you can watch below, so thank you for your support. Together we're changing lives!
For many, Earth Day is an annual reminder to invest in our planet. April 22 serves as a call to action to reflect on how we individually and collectively impact our environment and to focus on actions we might take to help strengthen our local communities and global climate.
In May 2022, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana and Cook Medical officially opened our new manufacturing facility built in partnership with the northeast Indianapolis community. The goal was to bring opportunities in education, health and employment to a community that experiences high poverty, high unemployment and limited opportunities due to corporate desertion in the preceding decades.
Goodwill leaders from across the country recently visited Washington, D.C. to educate federal lawmakers on the effectiveness of The Excel Center, Goodwill’s one-of-a-kind high school for adults who wish to earn a high school diploma.
One year ago, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana launched its 2022-24 One Goodwill strategic plan, and we're proud to share some of the highlights after a year of collaborative work.
John Thompson was born with autism and didn’t learn to speak until he was eight years old.
The Children’s Learning Center by Goodwill proudly announces April Mattingly as Assistant Director.