Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana (GCSI) announced that Goodwill Industries International (GII) has awarded the organization the opportunity to bring its unique approach to mission services to the previously unassigned island of Puerto Rico. The awarding of this territory comes after an open process where Goodwill organizations from across the country could participate. GCSI completed a comprehensive submission that was reviewed and approved by the Goodwill Industries International board of directors.
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana has provided critical mission services to our most vulnerable Hoosiers for over 90 years. During this time, Goodwill has developed and refined its mission to include employment, job training, adult education, maternal health care and more. This expertise was central to GII’s selection of GCSI as the most appropriate partner for Puerto Rico.
“Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana has established itself as a leader in mission services. Their ability to create and implement programs that address the needs of its communities and quantify the impact of these programs was a compelling factor in their selection,” said Steve Preston, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “We are excited to have them lead the way for Goodwill as we enter Puerto Rico.”
The National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First has partnered with GCSI for over 13 years and is pleased to explore extending its relationship to include Puerto Rico. “We are excited to be considering the expansion of our critical mission services into Puerto Rico,” said Charlotte Min-Harris, president and CEO for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First. “This program empowers first-time moms to transform their lives and create better futures for themselves and their babies. Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana has delivered the Nurse-Family Partnership model with fidelity and I have every confidence this will continue as the program grows.”
Across Puerto Rico, thousands of adults and families live on the margins and are often overlooked. Goodwill’s evidence-based mission programs address many of the barriers marginalized individuals face. The existing barriers in Puerto Rico are not unlike those in central and southern Indiana.
“Over the past 10 years, our Goodwill has expanded its mission programs outside of our established Indiana territory. This includes The Excel Center which is now located in Arkansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Washington, D.C., Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Texas; and Nurse-Family Partnership which is now being serviced across the state of Indiana,” said Mark Denien, Chair, Board of Directors. “At this point there aren’t any unassigned territories in the contiguous U.S. As a board, we are in full support of this expansion into Puerto Rico as it is consistent with Goodwill's overall mission and provides an opportunity to increase impact.”
Through collaboration with leaders and communities in Puerto Rico, there is great confidence that, through working together, the barriers that exist can be addressed to help move individuals and families toward independence. “We are excited and humbled by Goodwill Industries International’s selection. Our mission focus, which includes increased access to education, maternal healthcare and employment opportunities, will directly address some of the barriers facing individuals and families on the island of Puerto Rico,” said Kent A. Kramer, president and CEO of Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. “Our mission programs are designed to help individuals increase their independence and reach their potential. We are grateful for the opportunity and look forward to working with Puerto Rican officials and communities as we begin this work in earnest in 2024 to establish Goodwill de Puerto Rico.”
