Goodwill provides career resources for Lincoln Trail residents 

You’ve likely discovered a hidden gem or two at your local Goodwill thrift store. But did you know that every purchase helps create jobs and opportunities for neighbors right here in the Lincoln Trail area? In fact, 90 cents of every dollar earned in our stores goes right back into Goodwill programming, providing job training, career development and support services to the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

As manager for the Goodwill Opportunity Center in Elizabethtown, I am proud to work every day to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and find pathways out of poverty, and in turn, help create a more robust workforce here in our region. 

Goodwill Opportunity Centers, including our Elizabethtown center located at 243 West Dixie Avenue, support those facing challenges by providing direct services and connecting them with trusted community partners, all in one accessible location. Our services include employment and soft skills training, résumé development, job-readiness workshops, mock interviews, substance abuse recovery resources, financial and digital literacy courses, transportation and housing assistance, expungement services, youth mentoring and restorative justice programs, behavioral health support and more. 

We also offer special programs like Applied Digital Skills, which provides participants with a Chromebook for completing Google Training; our Cars to Work program, which assists individuals with low credit in securing reliable transportation; and regular Expungement Clinics, which help participants clear records and secure better opportunities.

To better serve individuals who may face transportation or access barriers, we host Partner Days, held every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where local organizations come together to offer resources and support. Open to the public, attendees connect with banking institutions, mental health providers, legal aid organizations and other service providers all in one place. Regular partners include the Lincoln Trail District Health Department, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s TRIO Student Support Services, Hardin County Adult Education and others. 

Our success is also made possible through our partnership with area employers, who play a vital role in helping our clients find and maintain meaningful employment. These employers not only participate in the interview process but also provide valuable feedback, both during hiring and throughout the employee's progress on the job, which strengthens outcomes and supports long-term success.

While individuals must visit the center in-person initially to receive services, once they are assigned a career coach, many offerings can be accessed virtually, making support more flexible and accessible based on individual needs. Our services are open to anyone 16 or older, with no income requirements. Those under 18 require a guardian’s signature.

Our goal is to meet people where they are and provide the tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce. A common misconception is that we only place individuals in jobs with Goodwill. In reality, we help people identify their strengths and interests, then coach them into jobs in their desired fields.

In 2024 alone, the Elizabethtown Opportunity Center assisted 117 individuals in securing employment right here in our community, with an average starting wage of $15.19. Our approach goes beyond job placement: we actively partner with employers to foster long-term relationships that support both hiring and job retention for our clients.

In addition to employment services, we helped nearly 50 Lincoln Trail residents obtain valuable credentials, including certifications as Adult Peer Support Specialists, Community Support Associates and through CDL training programs. These credentials not only enhance individual career prospects but also contribute to the overall economic health of the region by upskilling the local workforce. A more skilled workforce translates into higher earning potential and a stronger, more resilient community.

We are also part of a broader network of 12 Goodwill Opportunity Centers across Kentucky, allowing us to provide continuity of care. If a participant relocates within the state, they can resume services at the nearest Opportunity Center, picking up exactly where they left off with us.

By combining workforce development with wraparound services, we aim to empower individuals not only to find employment but to thrive in every area of life.

To learn more about the Goodwill Opportunity Center in Elizabethtown, visit goodwillky.org/elizabethtown. 

Kristen Abell serves as Opportunity Center Manager for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky in Elizabethtown and is a member of the Lincoln Trail Workforce Development Board.