LOUISVILLE, KY. – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky will observe National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (September 15-21) with an “Empowerment Expo” event that will showcase its educational offerings and highlight its statewide partnership with Kentucky Adult Education (KYAE) on Friday, September 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Lexington Opportunity Center, located at 130 West New Circle Road, Suite 110, Lexington KY 40505.
In 2023, Goodwill established a partnership with KYAE to better offer educational opportunities to Kentuckians with limited education or lack of access to education and emphasize the significance of continued learning and literacy within Kentucky families and communities. The program, which awards General Educational Development (GED) diplomas, puts participants on tailor-made paths to educational success. In the pilot phase of the program, Goodwill and KYAE awarded 24 individuals with GED diplomas.
The Empowerment Expo will highlight these educational successes and others provided by Goodwill. Those interested in enrolling in the program, as well as employer or community partners, are encouraged to attend. Darius Miller, former University of Kentucky basketball standout, will be the keynote speaker for the event and will shed light on his life journey and the importance of education.
“Kentucky Adult Education and its local programs are very strong partners for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky,” said Goodwill Regional Director of Career Services Jennifer Bergman. “We value the expertise they bring to our clients that have barriers to employment, which limit their opportunities for a good job. We are very excited about the results of this pilot for 24 Goodwill retail employees who completed their GED. This is huge progress toward their educational barriers.”
Goodwill’s partnership with KYAE stretches statewide. It has equipped 73 learners with more than 12 hours of attendance during the pilot phase. Thirty-seven of those learners documented measurable skill gains, which lead to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment.
“In addition to Team Kentucky’s free GED program offered in all 120 counties of the commonwealth, KYAE services include literacy and English language instruction, postsecondary education transition, training and employment,” said Dr. John Gregory, KYAE Executive Director. “Our partnership with Goodwill and our other providers help Kentuckians reach their full potential and improve their lives.”
Goodwill will also use National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week to promote additional educational opportunities it offers, such as The Excel Center®, Kentucky’s first adult high school that awards state-sanctioned high school diplomas to Kentuckians 18 years of age or older. The school, which is available to students free of charge, has graduated 97 students since opening its first location in Louisville in October 2022.
To learn more about the educational opportunities provided through Goodwill and its partners, visit GoodwillKY.org.
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 100-year-old nonprofit organization that operates in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The organization is committed to using resources from its 67 retail stores to help build pathways out of poverty for individuals who need a hand up in life. In 2023, Goodwill helped place 3,185 Kentuckians into jobs with its 1,330 employer partners and inside its own retail stores. Goodwill uses approximately 90 cents from every dollar generated in its retail stores to operate programs and services that help Kentucky’s hardest-to-serve job seekers build the life they desire.