Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s reentry program, New Beginnings, has helped individuals impacted by the criminal justice system start fresh since 2011. The program offers participants resources and services that help them overcome barriers, address legal challenges, and more.

At Goodwill, we know that mental health is not separate from the workplace. It shows up in our energy, our focus and our ability to navigate the challenges of daily life. For many of the individuals we serve and employ, work is not just a job. It is a source of stability, confidence and connection. That is why supporting mental health is part of how we support people.

For many students at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a free public school for students in grades 9-12, the world often feels defined by the height of city buildings and the rhythm of busy streets. However, thanks to a special afterschool program called Reach for Nature, those horizons are expanding. As part of Goodwill Central and Southern Indiana and the Goodwill Legacy Group, this Indy Met program offers more than just a break from the classroom. It offers a bridge to a world of wonder that many urban youth rarely get to cross.

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.

Lexi Mullins came across Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) through a chance phone call from a health care agency. Not exactly knowing what she was signing up for, but eager to please, she enrolled in the program.

Michaelae Cotton’s journey is one of quiet battles and powerful breakthroughs — a story shaped by mental health challenges, unexpected setbacks, and a fierce determination to rewrite her future.

Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May. It’s meant to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing, as well as raise awareness and advocate for resources and care options. At Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana, addressing mental health and having tools available are integral pieces of executing the last several years of our strategic plan, “One Goodwill.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of public schools, Taylor Martin was only 10 credits away from graduating high school; however, she struggled with the online learning format and was unable to finish. Now 23 years old, life hasn’t been easy. 

Searching for resources and support during her first trimester, Jada “Jae” Stewart ran across Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP), a program that pairs registered nurses with first-time parents. Experiencing very severe morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum), Jae wanted to have another set of eyes to identify what was abnormal and ensure her pregnancy was progressing smoothly.

When Sam Harmeson left high school, they were coping with the death of their mother from a drug overdose and struggling with undiagnosed autism. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, and Sam found it difficult to secure a job, especially without a diploma. In 2023, when Sam and their caretaker and aunt, Bettina Hapney, visited a local Goodwill retail store, Sam learned about an opportunity that would change their life.