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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    Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership Provides Hope to Young Moms

    [fa icon="calendar'] Feb 27, 2024 1:30:00 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Nurse-Family Partnership, Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Mission Awareness, Multi-gen impact, Goodwill Education

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    When Natalie Preimesberger enrolled in Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) in 2019, she had no job, no transportation, no stable housing, no high school diploma and many challenges to overcome. She grew up in a household where she experienced trauma, including exposure to substance abuse. 

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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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    Finding Community at Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Jan 12, 2024 11:24:00 AM / by Sam Stockman posted in Employment, Success Story, Goodwill Commercial Services, Criminal History, mental health, Former Addiction, Mission Awareness

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    Bradley Sims believes that working for Goodwill is much more than a job — he considers it a family. 

    “The sober community here is unbelievable. I don’t think I would have made it without them. They had faith in me when no one else did,” Bradley said.

    From a young age, Bradley faced a great deal of adversity while growing up with his grandparents in Brown County, Indiana. Both parents struggled with addiction, and his father also struggled daily to maintain his mental health. Watching his father struggle had a direct impact on Bradley’s own mental health. 

    “My father was suicidal, and it directly impacted me. I was never happy,” Bradley said. 

    Around age 15, Bradley was introduced to drugs. Shortly after, he discovered that his younger brother had taken his own life, sending him deeper into his battle with addiction. After finishing high school, Bradley and his girlfriend were incarcerated for crimes related to their addiction. 

    “Watching my girlfriend be taken away by the police was a turning point in me deciding to get sober,” Bradley said. 

    In addition, his mother passed away while he was incarcerated, leaving him a personal letter which would later help him enter rehab. He enrolled at The Amethyst House, a Bloomington based addiction treatment center. Here he was offered an employment opportunity through Goodwill. 

    In March 2021, Bradley started his new job at Goodwill’s Commercial Services in Bloomington. With the support of his peers and leadership, Bradley was promoted to the Line Lead position.

    “Every aspect of my life has changed since joining Goodwill. I wake up happy, and I want to go to work,” Bradley said. 

    After joining Goodwill Commercial Services, Bradley obtained his driver’s license, purchased a vehicle and secured housing for his family. He continues to advance himself by mentoring coworkers and attending internal training to broaden his skill sets. He strives to overcome the adversity he faces each day. 

    “For me, the feeling of loving yourself and knowing that you mean something — that feeling of accomplishment is ten times better than drugs,” Bradley said.

    Are you or someone you know looking for a career? Visit goodwillindy.org/careers to apply. 

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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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    Indy Met Graduate Finds Success in Information Technology

    [fa icon="calendar'] Dec 29, 2023 2:20:00 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Success Story, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, Education, COVID-19, Mission Awareness, Goodwill Education

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    J’Shon Zeigler enrolled at Indianapolis Met High School, Goodwill’s high school for traditional-age students, his sophomore year. 

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    National Disability Employment Awareness Month Highlights Inclusion

    [fa icon="calendar'] Oct 31, 2023 9:34:58 AM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Employment, Disability, Success Story, #NDEAM, Mission Awareness, DEI

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    Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is one of the largest employers for persons with disabilities in Indiana, with more than 1,600 current employees reporting a disability – 34% of our workforce. For 90 years, we’ve been employing individuals and providing job training to Hoosiers who experience barriers to employment. 

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    Celebrating National Employ Older Workers Week with Donna Roberson

    [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 29, 2023 3:00:00 PM / by Noelle Gray posted in Employment, Disability, Success Story, Senior Community Service Employment Program, Mission Awareness

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    Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is proud to continue our recognition of National Employ Older Workers Week, a period to acknowledge and increase awareness of the contributions older workers have in our workforce. This commemorative week also highlights the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a work-based training program for older adults available across the nation.

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    Never Too Late to Make the Grade

    [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 5, 2023 2:40:06 PM / by Rachel Moehle posted in Success Story, The Excel Center, Education, Parents, Mission Awareness, Multi-gen impact, Goodwill Education

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    Tammi Burrus had her high school experience cut short when she became pregnant at the age of 16.

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    Growing with Goodwill

    [fa icon="calendar'] Aug 22, 2023 1:00:00 PM / by Jenny Kakasuleff posted in Disability, Success Story, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, Education, Mission Awareness, Goodwill Education

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    When Damiyah Lawrence enrolled at Indianapolis Metropolitan High School during her freshman year, she struggled with a learning disability.

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