Every first Sunday in June is National Cancer Survivors Day®, a time to celebrate life, increase public awareness and call for more resources and further research. Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is humbled to share the cancer journeys of the many leaders contributing to our mission of changing lives through education, employment and health.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana proudly presents its 2024 Educators of the Year!

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and as part of our celebration of this cultural holiday, we are excited to highlight Connie De Castro, a science teacher and leader at The Excel Center® location at University Heights. 

May is National Educator Appreciation Month and to celebrate, we are shining a spotlight on some of Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s many wonderful teachers and educators. Meet Halle Shine - a math teacher and leader at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School. Prior to working at Indy Met, Halle was a special education teacher with Teach for America, an Americorp graduate and a math tutor. Halle is a graduate of Indiana University where she majored in Public Affairs and Environmental Management. 

After working different jobs at minimum wage, Allen Kessinger realized that he had a dream of becoming an Indianapolis police officer – but he needed a high school diploma to apply for a position and begin training. A Core 40 diploma would allow Allen to earn a family-sustaining income and grow in his career.

The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults, recently celebrated 339 graduates during its winter ceremonies. Designed to empower individuals to overcome adversity and reach their potential, The Excel Center provides a unique opportunity for adult learners to earn an Indiana Core 40 high school diploma.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is excited to continue highlighting women leaders contributing to our mission across the organization! Sofia Shine is the manager of operations at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a best-fit school for students experiencing circumstances that may present a barrier to education. She considers Women’s History Month the perfect time to empower women.

When Natalie Preimesberger enrolled in Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) in 2019, she had no job, no transportation, no stable housing, no high school diploma and many challenges to overcome. She grew up in a household where she experienced trauma, including exposure to substance abuse.