Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

We want to congratulate "The Precious Overcomers" – the most recent graduating class from our Power of Work program. The students completed 120 hours of job readiness instruction in just one month, focusing on areas such as resume building, digital literacy, team building, mock interviewing and more. The Power of Work program matches Kentuckians transitioning off government assistance with employers who need eager, prepared employees.

It's spring cleaning season, and we humbly ask that you keep Goodwill in mind! Last year, we diverted 23,178,2715 pounds of items from the landfills through our retail program and recycling initiatives. We then use the revenue from our stores to help fund free, lifechanging programs for Kentuckians who need a hand up.

We want to congratulate two clients from our Paducah Opportunity Center! Donna and Katrina just celebrated one and two years of sobriety, respectively. AA meetings are held at the Paducah Center at 1601 Broadway on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m.

While Jessica was incarcerated for two years, she had learned about Goodwill’s RISE program, which stands for reintegrating individuals successfully every day. “Getting to Goodwill was in my plan before I was even released,” she explained. “Without Goodwill, I don’t know what I would have done. All I had were the clothes on my back.” Jessica stuck to her plan and enrolled in RISE upon her release in June 2023. Just days after graduating from the program, she was hired at our Northfield store as a full-time cashier. That fall, she completed her peer support certification. “I was trying to get to a place where I felt comfortable taking more responsibility. I was the house leader at my sober living home and wanted to bring some of those skills to the workplace.” Four months later, Jessica was promoted to team lead and moved into Goodwill housing. She also got approved for a loan through Park Community Credit Union and purchased a vehicle. “My original plan was to earn my peer support certification and then venture off,” Jessica said. “But through RISE and getting hired, I formed relationships with Chad (senior store manager) and Heather (career coach). They both are mentors to me. I have such a great support system here, and I want to remain a part of that. People don’t know enough about Goodwill. Whatever you need, they will guide you in that direction.” 

Did you know that approximately 38% of Kentucky adults have a criminal record? As part of Second Chance Month, we hosted a reentry simulation last week at our West Louisville Opportunity Center, and we invited elected officials and community leaders to learn about the frustrating reality of reentering society after incarceration – whether that's standing in line for hours to obtain an ID, not having reliable transportation options or being turned away by potential employers due to your past. Spectrum News 1 Kentucky covered the event: https://bit.ly/4d5epER

It's a Goodwill affair! Andrew Gillette, director of development, and David Cobb, former vice president of development, each spoke at today's AFP Greater Louisville Chapter event discussing capital campaigns. Most recently, Andrew helped lead Goodwill's $15 million capital campaign, "Opportunity is Knocking," to help fund the West Louisville Opportunity Center. David's tenure at Goodwill spanned from 2003-2018. He now serves as senior vice president for the capital campaign division at Ashley|Rountree & Associates.

Did you know that approximately 38% of Kentucky adults have a criminal record? As part of Second Chance Month, we hosted a reentry simulation last week at our West Louisville Opportunity Center, and we invited elected officials and community leaders to learn about the frustrating reality of reentering society after incarceration – whether that's standing in line for hours to obtain an ID, not having reliable transportation options or being turned away by potential employers due to your past. Spectrum News 1 Kentucky covered the event: https://bit.ly/4d5epER

Our Lexington Opportunity Center recently hosted a luncheon to launch “Hand Up for Housing,” an exciting new program that will offer rental assistance, including security deposits and first month’s rent, to families with students enrolled in Fayette County Public Schools who are experiencing homelessness. Goodwill will provide career services to individuals referred to the program, which will include a housing specialist and career coach to help families prepare budgets, overcome barriers, increase job readiness, strengthen employment opportunities and more. Hand Up for Housing is made possible by a special partnership between Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Fayette County Public Schools, McKinney-Vento program and Goodwill.

This week, Goodwill leaders, employees and program participants from across the country are visiting Capitol Hill to advocate for issues that matter most to local Goodwill organizations. We are proud to have four Kentucky representatives at the event, including Brittanie Bogard, who has utilized our expungement services and is paying it forward by speaking to Congress about the importance of reentry efforts. Our team is meeting with five offices today: Morgan McGarvey, Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, James Comer and Hal Rogers. #GoodwillOnTheHill

As part of National Second Chance Month, we are hosting two Second Chance Days tomorrow (April 17) at our Opportunity Centers in Metro Louisville and Corbin! The events will feature reentry services for Kentuckians in need, including legal aid assistance and more. So far in April, we have served more than 300+ individuals with background challenges to help them become more employable. Louisville 909 East Broadway 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Corbin 37 South Park Center Dr., Suites 11 & 12 10 a.m.-Noon View a list of all our Second Chance Month initiatives here: goodwillky.org/scm/