Goodwill Industries of Kentucky

We want to thank the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for awarding us a $500,000 grant that will help launch the Gateway from Recovery to Work (GRW) initiative, which will create a recovery-to-work ecosystem in the five-county Gateway Area Development District (Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan Counties). The initiative will provide at least 60 Kentuckians ages 18 and older in recovery with vocational training, supportive services, barrier-removal planning and support, industry-recognized credential training, job placement assistance, and case-managed pre- and post-employment support over 20 months. Pictured is our Morehead Opportunity Center team with Senior Advisor to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear Rocky Adkins, who recently joined us to help announce the grant. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/bcli1

This past Saturday, we cohosted a block party to showcase the various partners, programs and services available for the West Louisville community at the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus. More than 2,000 people attended the event and learned about all the positive initiatives happening on the campus! It featured more than 40 community and employer partners, along with free food and entertainment, a trunk or treat and more. As our West Louisville Opportunity Center continues to establish itself and create meaningful change in a historically underserved area, we at Goodwill are grateful to have hundreds of partners to collaborate with and benefit from. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to fulfill our mission! #MissionMonday

Thank you to everyone who joined us today as we cut the ribbon on our new Young Adult Opportunity Center in Louisville! The center is now open to young adults ages 16-24 who have barriers to employment and self-sufficiency created by justice involvement, homelessness, abuse and/or other challenges. It offers a variety of free career and educational resources, including “The Spot” programming, which was developed in partnership with KentuckianaWorks.

We are excited to open our new Young Adult Opportunity Center tomorrow, October 23, at 11 a.m.! Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, KentuckianaWorks and other supporters will be in attendance as we cut the ribbon on the new center, which is tailored to young adults ages 16-24 who have barriers to employment and self-sufficiency created by justice involvement, homelessness, abuse and/or other challenges. To learn more about the Young Adult Opportunity Center, watch the WHAS-TV Great Day Live segment below featuring Director of Young Adult Services Nicole McGill and program participant Ti'Ant Wyatt!

Without reliable transportation, Amber couldn’t search for a better job to better support her family. But that changed this month when she was gifted a vehicle through the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides Program and the Goodwill Cars to Work Program. Amber, a mother of six, is in recovery and missed much of her older kids’ lives due to substance use disorder. She said this new car will allow her to connect with them more. “It’s going to make life so much easier,” she said. “Grocery shopping, taking the kids to school, going to work, getting down (to Breckenridge County) to see my oldest kids – that’s the biggest thing.” Read Amber’s full story here: goodwillky.org/amber-ctw #MissionMonday

Kelsey began working at the Georgetown store as a production clerk in April of 2021. "I feel so blessed to have had someone take a chance on me after years of drug addiction and the background I had accrued during that madness. Goodwill loved me back to life and that's exactly what I needed." During her years at Goodwill, Kelsey has obtained her Clinical Medical Assistant Certification and her Peer Support Certification through Goodwill's Work & Learn Program. Kelsey recently became an Assistant Store Manager II and is currently participating in Goodwill's GREAT program, designed for up-and-coming leaders. Kelsey stated that GREAT has refreshed her passion for Goodwill's mission and has learned that there are many opportunities that spark her interest within our company. "Goodwill really has been my saving grace, and I will forever be grateful for every opportunity that has been laid in front of me."

This week, Goodwill West Louisville Opportunity Center Director Emery Scott Lee joined Norton Healthcare West Louisville Hospital Chief Administrative Officer Corenza Townsend and Kroger Corporate Affairs Manager Jessica Sharp on WAVE Listens Live to discuss the upcoming Block Party at the Norton Healthcare Goodwill Opportunity Campus on Saturday, October 26. Watch the segment here: https://shorturl.at/mlNDT

We’re hosting a Hispanic Heritage Festival and Community Health Fair tomorrow from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at our South Louisville Opportunity Center, located at 6201 Preston Highway, Suite A, in Louisville! The event will feature more than 60 community and employer partners, food, entertainment and connections to a collection of free services and resources.

If you are in Louisville on Saturday, October 26 - Make plans to join us for a block party! We are co-hosting a fun-filled event with Norton Healthcare and all community partners to usher in the fall and the new West Louisville Hospital!

Our Bowling Green Opportunity Center was excited to host State Rep. Robert Duvall for last week and share with him the free, lifechanging services we offer to our clients and our strategic plans for the future.