LOUISVILLE, KY. – For the seventh year in a row, Goodwill Kentucky has partnered with the Lexington VA Health Care System to provide $30,000 in vouchers to support local veterans. The partnership was renewed today during an event at the Goodwill Kentucky Lexington Opportunity Center, with leaders from both organizations highlighting their shared commitment to serving those who have served the country.
Each voucher can be redeemed at any Goodwill Kentucky retail location, helping veterans purchase clothing, shoes, and household essentials while also connecting them to supportive services, career coaching, and job opportunities.
Since the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was first signed in 2019, Goodwill Kentucky has invested more than $180,000 in vouchers to assist veterans in need, serving over 18,000 veterans across 45 Kentucky counties. A portion of the vouchers is also shared with the Louisville VA Health Care System to ensure even more veterans have access to resources statewide.
The goals of the MOU include:
- Addressing immediate needs through Goodwill vouchers.
- Employment and training opportunities with job placement, career coaching, and civilian workforce skills.
- Supportive services including housing navigation, transportation, and recovery resources.
- Accessibility to both VA and Goodwill services for veterans and their families.
- Self-sufficiency through sustainable employment and long-term independence.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring Kentucky veterans have the resources and opportunities they deserve as they transition into civilian life,” said Goodwill Kentucky Chief Operating Officer Rena Sharpe. “At Goodwill Kentucky, our mission is to help Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty, and through these vouchers, we’ve been able to serve those who have served our nation.”
The renewed agreement builds on this history of impact and includes Lexington VA Health Care System Executive Director Russell W. Armstead, a combat veteran with a distinguished record of service.
“We are committed to providing high-quality care to Veterans and ensuring their health and well-being are our top priorities,” Armstead said. “Our focus is on delivering compassionate and comprehensive services to those who have served our nation.”
About Goodwill Kentucky
For more than 100 years, Goodwill Kentucky has helped Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty through the transformative power of work. Operating in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, Goodwill Kentucky places over 3,000 Kentuckians into jobs each year through its 1,400-plus employer partners and its own retail stores. These life-changing opportunities are made possible through donations to our stores and community support. The organization reinvests approximately 90 cents of every dollar earned in its retail stores into job training and workforce programs. When you give to Goodwill, you do a lot of good.