Community Services
Goodwill Industries
Nurse-Family Partnership

Who We Serve:
First-time parents and those who support them.
Where We Serve:
Lake, LaPorte, Elkhart, and St. Joseph Counties
How We Serve:
Specially educated nurses regularly visit first-time parents starting early in pregnancy and continuing until the child's second birthday.
People enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership benefit by getting the care and support they need in order to have a healthy pregnancy. At the same time, families develop a close relationship with the nurse who becomes a trusted resource they can rely on for advice on everything from safely caring for their child to taking steps to provide a stable, secure future for their new family.
For questions about Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership, contact nfp@goodwill-ni.org. To sign up for yourself or refer someone to our program, please complete our referral form.
Goodwill Industries
Veteran Services
Who We Serve:
Local veterans and their families
Where We Serve:
LaPorte, Elkhart, St. Joseph, and Kosciusko Counties
How We Serve:
Connecting veterans with free resources and running annual Stand Down events
In order to ease the burdens of poverty that some veterans face, we connect those who’ve served our country with free resources. This includes providing information about discounts, helping them enroll in VA health care, and assisting them in finding housing. Our annual Stand Down events provide free meals and take-homes, like safety kits and clothing.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
veteranservices@goodwill-ni.org
Career Services
Goodwill Industries
Career Connections
Who We Serve:
Job seekers who face barriers to employment
Where We Serve:
Lake, St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Kosciusko Counties
How We Serve:
Providing resources, guidance, skill training, and job placement
Throughout our six Career Centers, we get to know our clients based on their specific situations and provide them the resources and skill training they need to succeed in their job of choice. We also partner with local employers to help people make connections and find jobs. Click here to find a Center for Career Connections near you.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
careerconnections@goodwill-ni.org
Goodwill Industries
Industrial Services
Who We Serve:
Businesses in need of additional labor
Where We Serve:
Elkhart County and South Bend
How We Serve:
Assisting local businesses with off-site labor
Our trainees provide off-site support to local businesses in need of labor for projects like assembling, sorting, inspecting, wrapping, and fulfillment. This allows the businesses to save space, time, and money. We also sell wiping cloths in cotton and cotton-blend varieties and can deliver them directly to you.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
industrialservices@goodwill-ni.org
Goodwill Industries
Ability First
Who We Serve:
People with disabilities
Where We Serve:
Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Kosciusko Counties
How We Serve:
Assisting people with disabilities in finding and maintaining jobs
We understand that not every job is one-size-fits-all, and that everyone has unique needs that are best served by different solutions. Our employment specialists, case managers, and job coaches take a person-centered approach to vocational rehabilitation. Participants in the Ability First program have the opportunity to try different jobs hands-on in order to find the perfect fit.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
abilityfirst@goodwill-ni.org
Goodwill Industries
Youth Services
Who We Serve:
Out-of-school youth seeking education and career opportunities
Where We Serve:
Lake, LaPorte, and Porter Counties
How We Serve:
Providing guidance, training, and resources to young adults
Goodwill helps young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 under the federal government’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). We offer continued support for those looking to complete their education. For young adults who are ready to join the workforce, our program offers career exploration and guidance, as well as opportunities for skills training in in-demand industries and occupations.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
youthservices@goodwill-ni.org
Goodwill Industries
2nd Chance
Who We Serve:
Individuals who have been incarcerated or have a criminal background
Where We Serve:
LaPorte, Elkhart, and St. Joseph Counties
How We Serve:
Helping people who have been impacted by the justice system start a fulfilling, sustainable career
Individuals who have a criminal background may have concerns about joining the workforce, but we are ready to help them find a meaningful career. The 2nd Chance program begins with a two-week class that covers soft skills and job readiness, application and resume writing, interviewing advice, and more. Then our employment specialists work with each person to find a job that’s right for them. Our retention specialists will check in and offer ongoing support to help everyone meet employment milestones.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
2ndchance@goodwill-ni.org
Education Services
Goodwill Industries
The Excel Center
Who We Serve:
Adults looking to earn an Indiana high school diploma
Where We Serve:
Elkhart, Lake and St. Joseph Counties
How We Serve:
Offering tuition-free high school and college credits
Through our four centers, adults of all ages have the opportunity to receive a Core 40 education and earn a high school diploma, college credits, and a variety of industry-recognized certifications. In order to help our students overcome barriers they may face, our Excel Centers® offer flexible class schedules, extended hours, year-round operation, supportive relationships with staff and life coaches, transportation assistance, and a high-quality, free childcare program called Kids Excel.
Student Safety Reporting
Charter Tools- Document Retention
Board Members:
Rolla Baumgartner,
Chair
Mary Pat Latowski,
Vice Chair
Bishop Eddie Miller,
Member
Juliann Jankowski,
Member
Dana Trowbridge,
Member
Anthony Allison,
Treasurer
Debie Coble,
Member
Luis Gonzalez,
Member
Ann Carol Nash,
Member
Marguerite Taylor,
Member
Pastor Kelly Williams,
Member
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please complete our enrollment form.
Goodwill Industries
The Academy
Who We Serve:
Individuals seeking employment in the manufacturing industry
Where We Serve:
LaPorte, Elkhart, and St. Joseph Counties
How We Serve:
Teaching technical skills for a variety of manufacturing-related jobs
Businesses are currently facing a shortage of skilled manufacturers. Through The Academy, we help bridge the gap between the talent pool looking to earn a living wage and businesses seeking qualified individuals. Our technology training courses teach skills in weights and measurements, material handling, forklift operations, pneumatic tool usage, CNC basics, and welding.
To refer yourself or someone you know to this program, please contact
theacademy@goodwill-ni.org