The Project financed the construction of a community facility that provides a plethora of services that embody Goodwill’s mission to empower individuals through the removal of barriers to employment.

The centerpiece of the project is the Goodwill Excel Center. Adults without a high school degree within the Gary community can complete the necessary credits to earn an Indiana Core 40 high school diploma at this tuition-free high school. The Excel Center promotes access to education for the local community through the removal of barriers to education, such as free onsite childcare and free public transportation to and from the facility. The Excel Center’s success is evidenced by its receipt of a $25,000 Legacy Grant to support students who wish to enter the technology industry.

Community Alignment

The facility also houses the Community Career Center, which complements the Excel Center’s WORD through no cost workforce development services for the local community. Through its workshops, the Career Center assists in every step of the employment process: resume and interview preparation, digital skill development, employer outreach, and other job search techniques.

In addition to these community services, the project location houses Goodwill’s familiar donation and retail operations that further uplift Gary’s residents through access to low-cost clothing and household items.

McCaffery’s investment in this undeveloped tract within Gary illustrates its continued dedication to supporting operations and institutions that promote sustained progress for residents of low-income communities.