Achieving Independence at Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Mar 1, 2024 5:03:10 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Disability, Success Story, Retail, Southern Indiana, Mission Awareness, DEI

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    In 2021, Matthew Rose was diagnosed with Eales Disease, a rare, incurable disease that affects his eyesight by causing the blood vessels to swell shut, which can lead to permanent damage and loss of vision. He also suffered two strokes. 

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    Love Rekindled: Find Second-Chance Jewelry at Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Feb 14, 2024 10:15:00 AM / by Sam Stockman posted in Employment, Valentines Day, ClickGoodwill, Retail

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    A 1.83 carat Cartier diamond platinum ring sold at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana

    The tradition of giving jewelry to loved ones dates back centuries. According to the American Gemology Institute, women in ancient Rome received rings made of ivory, iron and bone. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, naturally forming diamonds were cut and polished into what is known as point diamonds, the precursor to our modern round brilliant cut diamond. Engagement rings were introduced in America in the early 1900s. In 1948, De Beers, one of the world's leading diamond companies, launched its "Diamonds are Forever" campaign, marking a pivotal moment in the history of jewelry.

    Thousands of pieces of jewelry are donated to Goodwill each year, giving these stunning accessories new life, and providing their owners with new opportunities to create memories. When jewelry is donated to Goodwill, it’s first sorted into categories and styles. A quality control member inspects and identifies the pieces, and specific brands will be submitted to a third party to ensure the piece is authentic. A precious metal analyzer is also utilized to help identify the elemental makeup of specific pieces, ensuring the listing is as accurate as possible. 

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    Celebrating Black History Month with Lakeysha Hamilton

    [fa icon="calendar'] Feb 6, 2024 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in Employment, Disability, Retail, DEI, Black History Month

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    February is Black History Month, and Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is excited to highlight the African American leaders who contribute to our mission of changing lives every day through health, education and employment. Lakeysha Hamilton, Goodwill’s director of outlets, has been with the organization for over 20 years and looks forward to Black History Month.

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    Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Mission Growth

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 26, 2024 1:32:26 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Community Partners, Employment, Nurse-Family Partnership, The Excel Center, Education, Foundation, Retail, mental health, Multi-gen impact, Strategic Plan, Goodwill Education, DEI

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    Last year was a big year for Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana as we educated, employed and served more individuals than ever before. Since launching our new Strategic Plan two years ago, we’ve made significant progress on our objectives and goals.

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    From Student to Mission Coach: A Path to Growth at Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 17, 2024 12:41:58 PM / by Sam Stockman posted in Employment, Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Retail, Mission Awareness, Mission Coaches, Goodwill Education

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    Goodwill Mission Coach Benjamin Hutto began his journey with Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana in 2016 when he enrolled at The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s high school for adults. Previously homeschooled, Ben struggled to focus, which he later learned was related to undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.  But The Excel Center in Kokomo empowered him to earn the credits he needed to graduate at an accelerated pace.

    Ben continued his education by earning an associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College in 2018, and his bachelor's degree from Indiana University Kokomo the following year. Then, in 2020, the pandemic happened. 

    Due to his laser focus on his education, Ben had no work history, and he experienced barriers to finding a job after graduating. His Goodwill Mission Coach encouraged him to apply for a leadership position at a local Goodwill store, which led to the next step of his Goodwill journey as a Retail Team Lead. Although Ben was later promoted, he strived to do something beyond the scope of retail. When the opportunity to become a mission coach emerged, he jumped at the chance and applied. 

    “I know it sounds cliche, but I really enjoy helping others,” said Ben. “I feel that, given my path at Goodwill, I’m uniquely qualified to help students and employees make those connections.”

    In 2022, Ben was officially welcomed as the newest Goodwill Mission Coach. He now supports people with similar experiences, who have barriers to employment or education and can use a helping hand to reach their goals. As a mission coach, he connects Goodwill’s employees and students to a number of resources, like Goodwill New Beginnings, a reentry program for individuals previously involved in the criminal justice system, and The Excel Center – the first step in his own Goodwill journey.

    “I really appreciate the chances Goodwill gave me,” said Ben. “They were willing to take a risk on me knowing that risks don’t always pay off. There are many companies that won’t do that, so when I’m working with our employees and students, I share my own journey to give them hope about what they can achieve at Goodwill.”

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    From Recovery to Advocacy: "I Am Living Proof"

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 5, 2024 10:41:20 AM / by Sam Stockman posted in Employment, Success Story, Criminal History, ClickGoodwill, Retail, mental health, Former Addiction, Mission Awareness

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    Make this Halloween Boo-tiful

    [fa icon="calendar'] Oct 24, 2023 9:00:00 AM / by GoodwillIndy posted in DIY from Goodwill Finds, DIY, Halloween, DIY, Halloween, Goodwill Donation, Retail, Fall Decor, Mission Awareness

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    I’ve noticed that as I get older, the decor in my home gets a bit more “boringtasteful” — and Halloween is no exception. Gone are the gory Halloween displays that I helped create with my roommates in college.

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    3 Reasons To Donate to Goodwill this Fall

    [fa icon="calendar'] Oct 3, 2023 12:15:00 PM / by Jennifer Wade posted in Employment, Education, Goodwill Donation, Goodwill Donor, Retail, Mission Awareness

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    It’s officially fall — a great season to clean out closets and prepare for winter! Donating your gently used goods to Goodwill is easy and makes a positive impact right here in our central and southern Indiana communities. Here are three ways you can directly support local social, economic and environmental sustainability by donating to Goodwill. 

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    Why Work at Goodwill?

    [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 1, 2023 9:28:05 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Education, Retail, Mission Awareness

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    One of the great things about working at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is the variety of career opportunities. From retail to education, to health care and support staff – many paths exist for you to build your career at Goodwill. No one knows this better than Anna Scott, Goodwill’s Corporate Payroll Manager. 

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    More Than Just a Thrift Store: Getting to Know Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 17, 2023 1:00:00 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Nurse-Family Partnership, Education, Retail, Mission Awareness, nonprofitday

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    If you’re familiar with Goodwill, you probably recognize us as a place where you can donate your unwanted goods to support employment for people with job barriers and shop for unique treasures at a great price. What you might not know is that we’re more than just a thrift store. With the proceeds generated from your shopping and donations, we empower people to change their lives through the health, education and employment services we provide through our support programs, including:

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