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.
10 Years of Expungement Aid
[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 7, 2025 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in Mission Awareness, LEAP, Mission Coaches
AbilityOne Participant Enjoys a Job Well Done and Work-Life Balance
[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 19, 2025 3:00:00 PM / by Jonathan Lutes posted in Disability, Goodwill Commercial Services, Mission Awareness, AbilityOne, Mission Coaches
For 23 years, Ben Burris has been a familiar and friendly presence at the Major General Emmett J. Bean Federal Center. Employed by Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s Commercial Services division through the AbilityOne program, his role focuses on maintaining the federal center’s gym. This is a bustling space in the building, where employees come to recharge and unwind. Ben takes great pride in keeping the gym clean, ensuring it remains a welcoming environment for all who use it.
From Homelessness to Home Ownership: One Goodwill Leader’s Journey
[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 28, 2025 9:15:00 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Success Story, Criminal History, Retail, Former Addiction, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches
After living with an addiction for 13 years and repeated involvement with the criminal justice system, Christina Clevenger was ready to turn over a new leaf, but her past made it difficult. In 2018, her close friend and roommate told her that they found a fresh start at Goodwill after facing similar challenges. Christina decided to apply and was hired as a part-time textile producer and cashier.
Goodwill Gives Back for the Holidays
[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 27, 2024 9:15:00 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Nurse-Family Partnership, The Excel Center, Goodwill Commercial Services, New Beginnings, Goodwill Outlet, Retail, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, The Excel Center Meadows
The staff at Goodwill Commercial Services embraced sweater weather with Holiday Sweater Day.
Goodwill Shares Resources and Education on Disability for NDEAM
[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 29, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in Employment, Disability, #NDEAM, Mission Awareness, AbilityOne, Mission Coaches
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.
Managing Mental Health and Building a Life of Purpose
[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 10, 2024 10:30:00 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Criminal History, Retail, mental health, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, Goodwill Education, Mental Health Day, Financial Literacy
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.
Celebrating Success and Sobriety for National Recovery Month
[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 10, 2024 10:30:00 AM / by Sam Stockman posted in Employment, Success Story, Goodwill Commercial Services, Education, Criminal History, Former Addiction, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches
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.
Trusting and Believing in Goodwill’s Mission
[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 20, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Travis Bryant posted in Employment, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, Financial Literacy
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.
The Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Working Hoosiers
[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 26, 2024 8:30:00 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Disability, Criminal History, Retail, Former Addiction, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, #ADA34
When Richard Wagoner was 24 years old, he was involved in a car accident that left him with lifelong paralysis of his lower body. For nearly 30 years since, he has navigated life in a wheelchair.
Earning a Diploma and Finding Meaningful Employment at Goodwill
[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 19, 2024 12:00:00 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Disability, Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Retail, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, Goodwill Education, The Excel Center Shelbyville
Born with autism spectrum disorder, John Thompson did not begin speaking until he was eight years old. He was homeschooled and had no prior experience with public school before enrolling at The Excel Center® in Shelbyville, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults. As a result, he lacked experience socializing in an academic setting and worried that his peers might not accept him.