On Wednesday, March 19, Goodwill held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newly constructed Elkhart Campus. Elkhart elected officials, representatives from businesses and organizations, and local community members were all present for the ceremony. The day’s event featured a ribbon cutting, remarks from individuals who have helped bring the Elkhart Campus project to fruition, and tours of the facility.
The Elkhart Campus, part of a 30-acre plaza now known as Woodland Crossing, is in what was once the Pierre Moran mall’s Sears store. Goodwill began construction on the abandoned building in mid-April of last year and partnered with the City of Elkhart, Heart City Health Center, and several other local organizations to complete the project.
Debie Coble, President and CEO of Goodwill, appreciates the fact that her organization can play an instrumental role in enriching the local community.
“We at Goodwill consider it a blessing to be a part of this project at Woodland Crossing,” Coble said. “We get the opportunity to bring our services to the heart of a community that needs some love and attention. When people shop at and donate to our stores, they are supporting our programs and projects like the Elkhart Hub. We are very grateful for the support that the City of Elkhart and the rest of the community have lent us. It's been an incredible journey and I can’t believe that our shared vision of growth and development in this area is coming to life before my eyes.”
The Elkhart Campus brings together the services that Goodwill has been offering communities for years under one roof. One such program is the Nurse-Family Partnership, a free program that provides first-time parents with in-home professional nurse, care from the beginning of the pregnancy until the baby turns two. Another is the Goodwill Excel Center, a free high school for adults that offers them the opportunity to earn their Core 40 diploma. To support its students, the Goodwill Excel Center offers services like transportation assistance, free childcare, and flexible scheduling.
Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson is very optimistic about the effect that the Elkhart Hub will have on his home city.
“Goodwill knows how to build community and they have the spirit for it,” Roberson said. “Whatever the vision of the mayor or the council might be, projects like this cannot happen without the help of partners like Goodwill. We need to keep establishing these types of partnerships because that’s what makes a community a community and a city a city. I’m proud of this facility and I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve created to reach this point. I’m extremely happy about where we as a community are right now and where we are going.”
Cheri Avery, a graduate of Goodwill’s Academy construction program, offered some remarks at the grand opening ceremony. The Academy offers adults free career and technical education in a variety of fields, including automotive and construction.
Avery described how her time at the Academy gave her the means and support she needed to turn away from a life of crime and towards the prosperous and law-abiding life she wants to lead. Thanks to the Academy, she is now a certified welder and is consistently receiving job opportunities in construction.
Sara Brodzinski, Chief People Officer at Goodwill, finds stories like Avery’s especially inspiring.
“My favorite part of any Goodwill ceremony is hearing from the people who have benefited from our programs,” Brodzinski said. “Hearing Cheri talk at today’s event has been the highlight of the afternoon for me. I love seeing how lives are impacted and how these individuals gain a new security in the world as well as a new outlook on life after going through a Goodwill program. That's what it’s all about, that’s why Goodwill exists. We are more than just a store: we’re committed to improving lives.”
Dr. Chris Alber, Superintendent of the Goodwill Excel Center in Michiana, is grateful for the Elkhart community’s enthusiastic support of Goodwill’s mission and purpose.
“We’ve received a wonderful outpouring of support here today,” Alber said. “We’re really excited to see so many people come out, hear our message, and continue to support us as we open our doors. Statistics show that about 12 to 13% of adults in our communities require a high school diploma. Going back for their diploma may be intimidating for them, but we’re here to lend our support and provide them with the opportunity they need.”
The Goodwill Elkhart ribbon cutting marks a new chapter of growth and possibility! Goodwill remains committed to making a lasting impact one life at a time and the new facility is a celebration of opportunity, empowerment and a brighter future for our community.
You can learn more about Goodwill by visiting goodwill-ni.org.
