Michelle Williamson doesn’t remember the date or even the year that she lost both of her legs. Her memories are hazy. She was struggling with addiction and homelessness when she acquired frostbite in her toes. They became infected after doctors amputated them, resulting in the amputation of both legs from the knee down. Shortly after, her youngest son was born, and the state was threatening to take custody of him.

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana developed work-based learning opportunities for employers that are seeking new talent pools for their company, and to serve Hoosier workers in need of critical, hands-on training opportunities. For minimal cost, employer partners receive the benefit of added labor, and the ability to preview before hiring as they work toward building a talented pool of skilled employees.

In July 2017, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana awarded nearly $60,000 in scholarships to 22 employees, graduates and program participants to help them overcome barriers to pursuing higher education. One recipient, Nina Sharp, had enrolled at The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s high school for adults, after dropping out 17 years earlier.

When James Wilson was incarcerated in 1996, he was facing 42 years for conspiracy to deal drugs. He knew when he walked into the penitentiary at 37 years old that he needed to make changes in his life if he was going to turn things around. After 17 years, with a squeaky clean record as an inmate, Wilson appealed to the courts for an early release. His request was granted, and he was released – on house arrest.

Passed by Congress in 1990, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects individuals from discrimination based on a disability. The ADA requires covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with a disability and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations.

Wanda Moran’s story does not have a great beginning. She found herself in a terrible situation, and she didn’t have much hope to improve.

The challenges and opportunities we all face in life shift our paths. At 15, Magi Wachtel experienced a major shift in her life when her father passed away from cancer.

Lisa Sledge's first client, in 2011, was a 19-year-old, married Burmese woman referred to Nurse-Family Partnership by a Southside high school. Lisa immediately decided an honest approach was best, "Forgive my ignorance," she said, "but I don't know much about your culture." 

It’s apparent within minutes of meeting Verdell Evans that she has a burning desire to succeed. Previously, she was fueled by negative influences and destructive choices. She left home at a young age and used and sold drugs. She was incarcerated twice, serving nearly 18 years in prison. Having fulfilled the terms of her sentence and parole, Evans is now blazing a trail that she had never thought possible.