Ron Smith

Ron Smith learned the value of earning a high school diploma; it just took a few decades longer than expected.

In 1982, Ron dropped out of high school because he thought working would be a better use of his time. Yet, he couldn’t keep a job to provide for his young family. He turned to drugs and served time in jail. Thirty years later, Ron felt stuck. Single and a recovering addict, he had a young daughter to care for but couldn’t get a good job because of his criminal history and lack of education. He yearned for change and new direction.

Ron decided he needed to earn his diploma but also a support system. He found both at The Excel Center Richmond, a Goodwill charter high school for adult learners, where he could get child care for his daughter while he studied. He struggled in class, but his teachers never gave up on him. Ron began to believe in himself and the future he could create for his daughter. He knew the diploma was essential, so he kept pushing. Ron graduated in December 2015 with newfound confidence and a reputation for mentoring others. Through education, he transformed his life into one he and his daughter could be proud of. Still clean, sober and motivated, Ron received a scholarship to earn his commercial driver’s license and a job that will provide for his family.

More than 65 percent of Indiana’s working-age adults lack their high school diploma or higher education, ranking Indiana 40th in educated workforce.^[7] Goodwill shoppers and donors invest in Indiana’s workforce in more ways than one because our employees and other adults can receive education that respects their unique needs at no cost to them. Learn more about The Excel Center at goodwillindy.org/education.

*as of April 19, 2016
**approximate number as of April 19, 2016
^[7] “Reaching Higher, Achieving More: A Success Agenda for Higher Education in Indiana.” Indiana Commission for Higher Education. April 2012. http://www.in.gov/che/files/2012_RHAM_8_23_2012.pdf.