In the heart of rural Indiana, where the roads stretch long and the opportunities can sometimes feel sparse, you would find David. When Susan Sheets, Goodwill TalentSource™ Rural Career Pathways Grant Coordinator, first met David in January 2025, he had just graduated from The Excel Center® in Richmond. He was a young man with a sharp mind for logic and math but faced barriers that would have caused many to stay exactly where they were.

Montez Day knows firsthand that a single moment does not define a lifetime. Today, he serves as the Manager of Goodwill New Beginnings at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, a role he stepped into in 2025 after starting as a facilitator and receiving several promotions since joining the organization in September 2021. But his path to leadership was shaped by years of transformation, education, and an unwavering belief in the power of second chances.

After taking on more financial responsibility at home, Travis Bryant wanted support to be able to improve his financial wellbeing. In 2017, while employed at a Goodwill retail store, he started working with a mission coach. Goodwill Mission Coaches work with employees at over 110 sites on life goals and barrier removal, ensuring that they have the resources they need to be successful.

Every year, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) with an event that connects Goodwill employees, internal resources and community partners specializing in disability services.

On September 9, The Greater Kokomo Economic Alliance and Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana came together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Goodwill store on the west side of Kokomo (2222 West Sycamore Street (SR 22)). To commemorate the anniversary, a ribbon cutting was held at the front of the building, featuring speakers from both organizations.

Every October, the United States recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This observance stresses the important contributions and accomplishments of workers with disabilities, as well as the importance of providing opportunity and support in the workplace.

Most people recognize Goodwill as a thrift store, but did you know that Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is also a local not-for-profit? August 17th is National Nonprofit Day and it’s a perfect time to highlight Goodwill’s mission and the impact of that mission in the communities we serve.

Goodwill Commercial Services Manufacturing Division employee, James Clements, had been impacted by the criminal justice system on and off throughout most of his life. A little over two years ago, however, after thirteen years of incarceration, James was first introduced to Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. Goodwill leaders began visiting him and other incarcerated individuals to share an exciting work opportunity available to them after incarceration. 

Debora Holmes’s journey with Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana began over 10 years ago, when she joined the organization as a photographer. She had already experienced so much in life, from adopting six of her siblings due to gun violence in the family, to raising two children and taking care of her husband after he fell ill. 

In 2015, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana implemented the Legal Expungement Advice Program (LEAP) in response to the challenges that people faced with Indiana’s expungement law. Through a partnership with Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law, LEAP provides those affiliated with Goodwill and their immediate families free expungement consultation services.