EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – After years of planning and remodeling, Evansville Goodwill has officially opened its new facility.
Goodwill officials plan to use the building for a variety of programs, including the Excel Center, a high school for adults.
After years of work, the 180,000 square meter space in the Washington Square Mall is finally finished.
Officials say they are most excited about the Excel Center, where adults can earn their high school diploma for free.
“This high school graduation will open all doors for us and help our families escape poverty. This is good for our community,” said Connie Ralph, president and CEO of Evansville Goodwill.
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry was one of many who attended the event. She and other speakers emphasized that there is a need for something like this in the area.
They said there are nearly 13,000 adults in Vanderburgh County without a high school diploma and about 25% of them live in poverty.
They say the community is already responding. About 400 people have started the registration process and they expect more than 150 students for the first semester.
The program’s teachers say they can’t wait to get started.
“I’m going to cry at graduation, so I’m just going to say it now,” said Trisha Memmer, a social studies teacher at the Excel Center. “I can’t wait.”
Additionally, the Excel Center, the newly renovated location, also houses Evansville Goodwill’s new headquarters, a 15,000-square-foot retail store and more.
Goodwill representatives also outlined how they will support their students, including free childcare and transportation assistance.
They say their goal is not only to help those seeking education, but also their families.
“When they graduate from high school, it just changes everything,” Ralph said. “First of all, it shows their children and their family members that it is possible and that we want to keep these young kids in school. They need to graduate.”
For more information on all of Evansville Goodwill’s activities, visit their Facebook page or website.
For more information about the Excel Center, visit the program website.
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