When Trace began working as a material handler at the Goodwill Kentucky store in Harrodsburg, he didn’t know it would lead him to a career in the trades. While working at Goodwill, Trace learned about the organization’s pre-apprenticeship program in construction...

Growing up in Louisville, Machelle faced a difficult childhood that eventually led her down a path of drug and alcohol addiction. But when her first husband passed away from similar circumstances, she knew something had to change. “I watched him literally decay from...

Goodwill Kentucky is proud to announce the completion of the first cohort of our Pharmacy Technician Certification program! This milestone marks the beginning of a powerful new pathway for participants seeking meaningful careers in the health care field. Launched in...

For years, Kristin lived in a cycle of houselessness, incarceration, and substance use disorder. She became, as she describes it, a “statistic of recidivism.” Everything began to change in 2023, when she was offered a chance at freedom and treatment. Through her...

  When David was preparing to be released from his 20-year prison sentence, he had plans to move back to California to be with his family before Goodwill Kentucky’s Aspire program began operating in his facility. He didn’t want to be a burden on his family, so he...

While still incarcerated, Jerry participated in outreach programs where he shared his story with young people, encouraging them to make positive choices. The experience sparked his passion for peer support and helping others. “That was my dream job when we were...

While struggling with addiction, Tony and his significant other, Laci, made the difficult decision to put distance between them to focus on their recovery. Tony stayed in Tennessee while Laci moved to Kentucky, believing they’d have a better chance at sobriety if they...

Candace was scheduled to finish high school in 1988, but life had other plans. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she wasn’t able to finish—until now. More than three decades later, Candace proudly crossed the stage as a graduate of The Excel Center® during its 2025...

Cassandra faced several challenges from a young age: growing up and aging out of foster care, becoming a single mother, and experiencing homelessness. Financial stability seemed out of reach, and at one point, she even had her child taken away from her. Through...

When Bryan first connected with Goodwill Kentucky, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He had visible needs and was uncertain about how to begin his journey back into the workforce. But that uncertainty faded after his first visit to the Lexington Opportunity Center. “I...

When Donald stepped onto the TARC bus fresh out of a halfway house, he wasn’t sure where his life was headed—only that it needed to be different. He approached a stranger and asked a simple question: “Which bus do I need to take?” That question sparked a conversation...

  When Aaron was released from a 12-year prison sentence, he needed a second chance to reintegrate into society and ultimately achieve his goal of building a successful trucking company. To do that, he needed to find reliable employment. One of Aaron’s friends...

Brooke endured an abusive relationship for 20 years, which resulted in her using drugs to cope. That ultimately led to her incarceration. As she was preparing for her release, Brooke took part in a workshop for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s Aspire program, which...

While still incarcerated, Julia learned about the second-chance employment opportunities and more offered by Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, which she said "stuck" with her. After her release, she was turned down from a job because of her background, but she knew...

While incarcerated for drug charges, James learned about Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s Aspire program, which provides inmates within 90 days of release from prison with pre-release job training and supportive services. To take advantage of the program, James...

Due to a battle with heroin and methamphetamine addiction, Laci became homeless and lost custody of her daughter. Despite her determination to turn her life around, she was denied access to proper treatment in Tennessee. That roadblock led Laci to Kentucky, where she...

Timothy faced an unstable living situation due to his struggle with addiction. Over the span of two years, he alternated between living on the streets of Louisville and staying in shelters. During his time in a shelter, he met Sharon Allgeier, the program manager for...

On June 1, 2013, Lakeisha was abusing drugs inside the bathroom of her home in Bowling Green when she had a vision that led to a turning point in her life. “My daughter was going to find me overdosed in the bathroom,” she said. “When I felt that, I immediately came...

  Eleven years ago, Aneica was sentenced to eight years in an Indiana prison for drug charges. When she was released, she transferred her parole to her hometown of Hazard, Kentucky. As a 12-time convicted felon, Aneica had a hard time finding someone to hire her...

For four days and five nights, Sergio and his family were trapped inside their home by Hurricane Katrina. After being rescued and seeking refuge with family in Chicago, he and his family moved back to New Orleans, but the cost of living had gone up, reliable...