Employment Services | Goodwill Central & Southern IN
Employment Services at Goodwill

Employment Services

 

Through a variety of job-seeker and placement services, we help connect individuals with barriers to jobs – at Goodwill and with many other companies as well. Services are geared toward individuals with disabilities, individuals who lack a high school diploma, individuals with a criminal background and job-seekers age 55+.

 

Services for individuals with disabilities

Goodwill believes every person has value and can contribute. Working empowers and encourages individuals. Our core principles embrace the inherent value of every individual. We have worked with people with disabilities since our founding. Individuals with disabilities, their guardians or job coaches are encouraged to review our current job listings and submit an application.

Goodwill Employment Services for Individuals with Disabilities
Goodwill Employment Services for Individuals with Limited Education

Services for individuals with limited education

Many of the employment services and opportunities that Goodwill can help connect job-seekers to require a high school diploma. Adults needing to obtain a diploma should consider attending The Excel Center, Goodwill’s high school for adults. With 15 locations, flexible schedules and more, The Excel Center can help adults earn their diploma and also take next steps toward careers or post-secondary opportunities like 2- or 4-year degrees.

Individuals without high school diplomas can, however, still apply for jobs at Goodwill.

Individuals with criminal backgrounds

Goodwill does offer employment opportunities to individuals with criminal backgrounds, depending on their specific circumstances and the nature of their criminal convictions.
In addition, Goodwill’s Commercial Services division offers the New Beginnings program, which helps ex-offenders successfully re-enter society.

Verdell Evans - GOODWILL EMPLOYEE EARNS A HABITAT HOUSE

Verdell Evans 2It’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.

“In prison, I came to a turning point where I knew I wanted to change and make a difference in my life,” Evans explained. “It was hard at the beginning, starting over. I didn’t have anything, but I didn’t complain. I felt blessed just to be out of prison and working on a new life.”

In November 2013, Evans began working as a janitor at Goodwill’s Westside outlet store. When Evans met Kent Kramer, Goodwill’s Senior Vice President and COO, at a job-readiness focus group, she was homeless, living at a shelter and trying to save money for rent.

“Right away, Verdell stuck out,” Kramer said. “The way she talked about liking her job and being good at it made an impression, so I gave her my business card and a challenge. If she stuck with her current job for 90 days, and if she was in good standing with her attendance, productivity and other benchmarks, we would talk about some next steps.”

Despite the difficult (but welcome) transition from prison and an unstable housing situation, Evans successfully met Kramer’s challenge, so she called him.

“I’d received good reports about her,” Kramer said. “I was impressed. I hand out a lot of business cards, but often don’t get the follow-up. She was one who took the time.”

Kramer connected Evans to Goodwill Commercial Services. She secured a position at the VA Medical Center, where Goodwill has a contract to provide janitorial services. Evans was soon promoted to Team Lead. When their paths next crossed, Kramer asked her if she had found a place to live and what she’d think about owning her own home.

“I’d never owned a home,” Evans said. “I just never thought it would be possible because of the life I was living before.”

Kramer encouraged her to complete an application for Habitat for Humanity. She was nervous about the background check, thinking her criminal history would hamper her approval, but it didn’t.

“The day after Habitat got my application, they told me I was approved!” Evans said. “I was so happy and excited!”

Habitat participants must commit to 300 sweat-equity hours consisting of financial and homeownership classes, and time spent building one’s own home and other homes. Evans moved into her home June 14. Soon after, she hosted friends, family, volunteers who helped with her build and other guests to her home’s dedication.

“I love my house — my favorite part is walking up to the front door and realizing it’s mine,” Evans said.

Evans was recently promoted to Assistant Supervisor at the VA. She wants others to know that there are people and organizations that can help with a fresh start — as long as individuals help themselves by believing and working hard.

“My former life is not even a temptation. Goodwill and Habitat give people like me with a criminal history a chance, and it’s a blessing,” she said.

Verdell Evans 1

WOMEN LEAD HABITAT BUILD

A unique, all-women Habitat build this summer was led in part by Zaida Monell, Goodwill’s Vice President for Employee and Organization Development. Monell, a Habitat board member, has helped raise the $75,000 and 300 volunteers needed, including other women from Goodwill. “The all-women build has been a great endeavor,” Monell said. “This home is for a single mom and her son, and I’m excited about it being completed.” Monell also noted how the missions and values of Habitat and Goodwill complement one another, encouraging people toward self-sufficiency.

Goodwill Employment Services for Individuals with Criminal Backgrounds

Steps to Success Training Program

The Steps to Success program is an employee development training program offered by Goodwill’s Mission Coaches. The program assists in employee development through on-the-job and soft skills training, ensuring participants maintain competitive employment. In addition to teaching janitorial skills, job search techniques and personal soft skills, Mission Coaches provide intensive case management, coaching and supplemental training. Ongoing support services are also available and may include assistance with solving programs at work or referrals to community resources.

More Information

Internship Eligibility Requirements

The Steps to Success program targets employees who are:

  • Employed at one of Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana’s AbilityOne sites;
  • At least 18 years of age;
  • Engaged and ready to fully participate in training and development;
  • Respectful toward their co-workers;
  • Capable of riding public transit or obtaining other means of transportation;
  • Willing and able to complete the available work with reasonable accommodations;
  • Capable of managing their own personal care, hygiene and medication.

Locations and Hours: 

  • Minton-Capehart Federal Building, 575 N Pennsylvania Street
    Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio Street
    Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • U.S. Army Reserve, 9851 E. 59th Street
    Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Benefits to Participants:

  • Earn a paycheck while receiving training and development;
  • Receive assistance and support in soft skills development;
  • Develop hard skills in the janitorial field;
  • Improve functional capacities pertaining to employment;
  • Learn transferable skills that apply across the service industry;
  • Access to intensive case management and support;
  • Opportunities to advance in employment after program completion;
  • Achievement in employment outcomes.

Referral Process   

Potential candidates may contact Justin DeGuzman at 317-449-9698. If there is limited availability, participants will be placed on a waitlist and contacted when an opening occurs. Hiring will be based on workforce demands.

This is a self-funded program with no outside funding. Goodwill does not manage or administer any medication support. No outside referrals for services are made.

Services for job-seekers age 55+

Goodwill’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a community service and work-based job training program for older adults. Let Goodwill help you get back in the workforce through SCSEP!

Get paid to learn new skills through on-the-job training. Learn current job search techniques and develop effective interview skills. Build work experience and confidence to advance to regular employment.

Through community partnerships and the Older Americans Act, the program provides training and participants have access to employment assistance through American Job Centers.

To be eligible to participate, you must be:

Federal guidelines prioritize enrollments based on the following criteria:

  • Veterans and qualified spouses
  • Age 65 and older
  • Disability
  • Low literacy skills or limited English proficiency
  • Residing in a rural area
  • Homeless or at risk of homelessness
  • Low employment prospects

Goodwill® proudly participates in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), a national employment and training program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. A $22,791,863 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor provided 90 percent of the funding for Goodwill’s SCSEP programs in the program year 2022. Goodwill provided the remaining 10 percent through in-kind contributions worth more than $2,279,186.

See http://www.goodwill.org/scsep/ for funding details. Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana received a sub award of $2,326,470 and is contributing in-kind contributions valued at $270,484 to cover the remaining 10 percent of operational costs.

To learn more about SCSEP, please call us at 317-524-4360.

If you are interested in applying to SCSEP, please click here.

Applications may be mailed to:

Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana
ATTN: SCSEP
1635 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN  46222

I never thought I would work with Goodwill for this long. But, it went by fast. Working here this long has been quite an accomplishment, and I’m proud of it.

Nancy Gregory

Wanda Moran - A SCSEP Success Story

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. Wanda, 61, never had a strong support system of friends or family. After “couch surfing” for years, she was forced to live on the streets. In addition to not having a safe place to live, Wanda was an alcoholic and felt constantly crushed by depression. Wanda decided to make a change. She entered a shelter with Wheeler Mission. Despite family members telling her she would fail, Wanda began leading a stable life. She worked in the kitchen and cooked for other people living in the shelter.

One year later, she was able to get her own apartment and make her bed at the shelter available for someone else who needed it. An employee at the shelter informed Wanda of Goodwill’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). Before she left the shelter, she applied to SCSEP.

“SCSEP has done nothing but good things for me.They gave me the tools to make a good life for myself and showed me how to be proud of who I am” -Sharon Baugh

New Beginnings

INDIVIDUALS learn skills that benefit them in any warehouse setting, earn a paycheck, and become better prepared and qualified job candidates.

EMPLOYERS gain access to a pool of qualified job applicants and hire job-ready candidates who have the necessary technical and soft skills to succeed.

New Beginnings provides ex-offenders with an opportunity to get back on track.

The 6-month program focuses on acquiring and developing technical and soft skills through a paid internship at the Goodwill Commercial Services warehouse and production facility.
Once individuals are equipped with the skills needed to build a steady employment history, they’re referred to community-based employment services or hired full-time at Goodwill.

Participants work at Goodwill four (4) days a week, for a total of 40 hours. Specific shift times vary, but will always fall between 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

They attend Career Days on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Case-management services are provided for the duration of the program, and participants’ needs are assessed each month.

  • Each participant is assigned an Employee Resource and Development Specialist (ERDS) who provides support and assists with vocational needs.
  • The ERDS is responsible for reviewing progress toward goals and ensuring that each participant completes four of the following focus areas:
    • Housing
    • Medical/Dental Care
    • Financial Skills
    • Support System
    • Professional/Life Skills
    • Full-Time Employment 

To be eligible for New Beginnings, individuals must:

  • Be ex-offenders, with no work release or jail time remaining. All felony convictions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • Complete one unpaid Career Day.
  • Have reliable transportation or be on a bus route.
  • Complete application and submit letters of recommendation.

For more information or to refer a potential candidate, please contact the New Beginnings office at 317-524-3956 or newbeginnings@goodwillindy.org.

The Goodwill Adult LifeLaunch Reintegration Program is made possible with a grant award of $4.5 million, covering 74 percent of costs, from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Twenty-six percent of the Goodwill Adult LifeLaunch Reintegration Program activities and services will be supported with $1.6 million in leveraged resources.

“This program gave my life structure. I’ve turned my life around, and now I’m a productive, contributing member of society. For that, I will always be thankful.”

Michelle A.

“New Beginnings has been the biggest source of encouragement I have ever had in my life. I have received encouragement in job-related situations and the encouragement to meet and exceed my personal goals.”

Lindsey B.

“Goodwill has been an invaluable partner, helping our clients that need a more flexible employment experience and training. The result is a more dynamic, wide-ranging skill set that helps set clients up for success in the future.”

Matt Holland

Indiana University Health Homeless Initiative Program

“This is a ‘must-have’ for any individual who wants to improve their life. It improved my life with people skills, career placement and so much more. It’s the best program I have ever participated in. I am so grateful to be a part of New Beginnings.”

Cory T.