Every October, the United States Department of Labor recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This period celebrates the value and talent workers with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy.

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. 

Every year, thousands of Lilly employees volunteer at community-centered organizations worldwide for Lilly Global Day of Service. This year, the global pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Indianapolis, had over 500 employees volunteer at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed as individuals without disabilities, significantly limiting their ability to live independently. As one of the largest employers of persons with disabilities in the state of Indiana — one-third of the more than 5,000 Hoosiers we employ report a disability — Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana highlights the extraordinary work of these individuals all year long.

Goodwill is proud to recognize National Employ Older Workers Week, a commemorative week to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of older workers. Older workers not only bring years of skill, experience, and work ethic to their jobs; they’re also becoming a greater part of the workforce. As of 2022, the older adult population was increasing at over five times the rate of the younger population in central Indiana alone. 

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.

Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana operates 75 retail stores that not only provide a place for the community to donate their gently used goods and shop for deals, but they also provide meaningful employment opportunities to Hoosiers.

My name is Natalie Morris, and this summer I had the opportunity to be the Corporate Giving Intern with Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana. I am a rising junior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville where I am majoring in both Child Studies and Human and Organizational Development. 

In November 2021, Whitney Platt joined Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana at the retail store in Madison, Indiana. As a Team Lead 1, she jumpstarted her career as a leader, ready to contribute to Goodwill’s mission of changing lives every day through education, employment and health.