Goodwill Industries of Central Texas (Austin) is on the road to opening a charter school aimed at helping people over age 25 earn high school degrees. If the Texas State Board of Education accepts the application, the Excel Center will open its doors in August 2014 at the Goodwill Community Center in Austin.
READ MORE from Austin Goodwill Seeks to Open Charter School to Help Adults Earn High School Diplomas
Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area and Mountwest Community and Technical College's partnership dates back to 2005, when an instructor was teaching a part-time computer class at MCTC and at Goodwill. She realized that the Goodwill participants were doing the same amount and caliber of work as the MCTC students, and believed they should earn the same college credit hours. As the organizations shared their expertise, an original one-course partnership grew to three tracks that now allow students to accumulate 12 credit hours or more at Goodwill.
Life threw Remy a curve ball and she found herself an unemployed single mother. "I felt like a statistic," she says. With support from Goodwill, she made the job connection she needed to find successful employment working with people with disabilities.
At Goodwill®, we work to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work. Helping people prepare for jobs and advance their careers often means first connecting them with education options, which range from single courses to a complete certification or degree. Read on to learn about how two Goodwills are increasing access to educational opportunities for people in TX and GA communities.
READ MORE from Goodwills in GA, TX Advance Educational Opportunities for Local Students
Pearline was two and half credits short of receiving her high school diploma when she connected with the Goodwill headquartered in Kalamazoo, MI. Thanks to their Life Guides program, she received the support she needed to be successful and return to school.
With Goodwill's support, Sarouet is making progress towards earning her GED diploma. She has received college preparation and job training support, and now feels connected to her life and the direction she's going.
Working at Goodwill has given Isis more than a chance at a paycheck -- it has given her a chance to advance her career and provide for her family. Programs such as leadership training and educational support have helped her come a long way in her life. She says, "I feel really good about the work I do. My work pays off every day."
Even with support from agencies like Goodwill®, pathways out of poverty for the unemployed aren’t always clear. A new partnership between Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland (Battle Creek) and key community organizations is helping individuals living at 200 percent below the poverty level connect with education, work experience and certification in order to gain guaranteed employment.
READ MORE from Central Michigan Pilot Program Gives Job Seekers an EDGE in Sector Employment
Earlier this summer, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois (Rockford) awarded $15,000 for two scholarships to assist persons at Rock Valley College who face challenges to advancing their education. The scholarships — designed to enable the recipients to build a better future for themselves, their families and the entire community — were made possible by funds raised from the Goodwill’s Diva Dress Sale and Fashion Show last March.
READ MORE from Goodwill® Scholarships Support IL Students Facing Challenges to Education
When Carolyn found out she was going to be losing her job of 13 years, she knew she needed to update her skills in order to find new work. She connected with Goodwill's medical office training program, which also allowed her to update her Microsoft skills. After being placed through a temp agency, she was eventually hired on full time to work for the Huntington Fire Department.
