Think You Know Goodwill? Think Again!

To many, Goodwill Acadiana is just a place to drop off clothes or find a good deal. But that's only part of our story. 

Behind the scenes, our team works every day to provide programs and services that offer second chances to those in need. From education to employment support, we're dedicated to strengthening our community in meaningful ways.

Take a moment to see the bigger picture and discover how we're changing lives every day!

Community Programs

Goodwill Acadiana provides free programs to people in our community which is made possible by the items you donate and the purchases you make in our stores. Simply, your donations are the heart of everything we do. Because of your support, we’re able to offer: Adult HiSET Education, Employment Assistance, Affordable Housing, Crisis Assistance, Community Service, Pre-Vocational Habilitation, and Supported Employment.

All these programs help empower your community by giving your neighbors opportunities to take steps forward!

Donation Trailer

Need an easier way to give back? We've got your covered with our free donation trailer! Just book your event on our website and we'll bring the trailer right to you. It's a simple and affordable way for you or your organization to make a big impact in our community.

Again, your donations are the heart of everything we do, so why not make it easier for you?

We park it, you pack it, we pull it!

GoodPrints

Right here in Lafayette, we are proud to offer custom printing and embroidery through GoodPrints. This is more than a business - it is a shop dedicated to creating second chances and opportunities. GoodPrints helps increase employment opportunities for individuals with physical or developmental barriers. Along the way, they build confidence, independence, and transferable skills that last a lifetime and opens doors to future employment.

When you choose GoodPrints, you’re not just ordering a shirt. You’re changing a life.

Visit goodprintsacadiana.org to get started!

Partnerships

Not only do we provide services directly, but we also collaborate with other nonprofits that share our mission of empowering our community. Through partnerships with Catholic Charities of Acadiana, Acadiana Veteran Alliance, and United Way of Acadiana, we’re able to expand our reach and connect more people to the support they need. By working together, we can reach more neighbors, offer more support, and create more second chances.

You can be a part of that impact. Help us spread the word to make a meaningful difference together!

Impact Numbers

In 2024, Goodwill Acadiana was able to serve 7,683 people in our community. In 2025, that number grew to 9,067. That’s not just a number - it’s 9,067 lives touched and 9,067 families supported through our programs.

Each person represents a story. A fresh start. A chance at something better. And this year, we’re working to reach even more people who need support, guidance, and opportunity.

But none of this would be possible without you. Because of your donations and your support in our stores, you are helping change lives right here in your community.

So truly, thank you for being part of our mission! 🫶

Fun Fact: The Life of a Goodwill Donation - From Donation Bin to New Beginnings

Donating is the easiest first step to making an impact in your community. At Goodwill Acadiana, we depend on our community's generosity to declutter and donate their unused items, while we give them a new purpose to empower our neighbors in Acadiana!

Step 1: Donation Drop-Off

All you have to do is bring them to one of our donation centers. Simple as that! Not only will you have finally cleaned out the clutter in your closet, but you'll also have that feel-good sensation for playing an important role in your community. Every donation counts!

Check out our hours of operation!

Step 2: Sorting

After you drop off your donations at one of our locations, our employees go through your items! Your gently used items are processed and hung on racks that go into our local stores, and for any damaged items, they're recycled to become new, useable goods again (like rags made from torn clothes).

Step 3: Goodwill Acadiana Retail Stores

Once all of your items have been processed, you may find your previously owned items on a rack in your local Goodwill Retail Store! Not only will your items have a new home, but they will also serve a new purpose - providing affordable items to our community and keeping waste out of landfills. Donating is just the first step though, as purchases are what fund our services and provide us the ability to make a true difference in our community.

Step 4: Funding Community Services

Goodwill Acadiana is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, meaning we work to help people and make a positive impact on our community instead of making money for owners or shareholders. The money we make from selling donated items is put back into our mission and local community services. Simply put: our goal is to make a difference, not a profit.

Step 5: Community Impact

Now we made it to the fun part! Goodwill Acadiana offers many opportunities to help our neighbors in need to get back on their feet. Just walk into our Mission Services Center, and we'll provide you with the free services and resources you need to start your next chapter.

Services we provide include:

• Adult (HiSET) Preparation

• Employment Services

• Community Service

• Crisis Assistance

• Supported Employment Program

• Pre-vocational Habilitation

• Affordable Housing

Learn more about our Services here!

Donate to your local Goodwill today and be apart of our mission to Reduce poverty, Restore Independence, and Transform Lives in Acadiana 🫶

Emotional Story: Overcoming Self Doubt

Amber holding the Goodwill Acadiana HiSET Graduate sign

🎉 Join us in celebrating Amber - a loving mom who overcame self doubt!

When she found out she was pregnant her senior year of high school, Amber dropped out to take care of her soon-to-be baby girl. She'd go on to have two more children and put all of her time and energy into being the best mom she could be.

When she found out about Goodwill Acadiana's HiSET program through social media, she immediately reached out and enrolled! Then self doubt crept in, as she worked on the packet a bit, but then put it down for months.

That packet was always there, waiting for her to pick it up, and after about 8 months, she did just that. After picking up where she left off, she passed the practice test and all five HiSET tests on her FIRST try 💙

She's now looking into Phlebotomy programs (as well as possibly expanding into EKG Technician training), and she's excited to cross the stage in December with South Louisiana Community College!

Amber, your compassion and perseverance are inspiring. You can do anything you set your mind to, and we're so excited to see what you do next!

To our community: YOU made this possible. Your donations are so much more than items. They are second chances, and Amber is proof 🫶

To register for Goodwill Acadiana's HiSET program, visit our Services page for more info!