Second Chances Start Here: A Look Inside Goodwill Acadiana's Services

Every day we meet people who see our stores and think, "that's just a thrift shop." But here's the fun thing: It's so much more than that!

Behind every donation is a program helping a neighbor get back on their feet, whether that's earning a high school diploma, finding steady work, or just getting through a rough patch. So do us a favor- tell a friend. YOU can be the reason someone takes their first step toward a second chance!

Free Adult Education

One of the services we offer is free adult education. Whether you've been out of school for one year or 20, it's never too late to start again. Our classes are led by experienced teachers and built around you, so you can work at your own pace, no matter where you're starting from.

Getting your HiSET is just the first milestone. It's proof to yourself that you can do this, and it opens the door to a new career. We've helped over 200 adults earn their HiSET, and you can be one of them.

And graduation isn't goodbye. We're here for you every step of the way, whether that's helping you figure out your next move, connecting you with our employment services, or just cheering you on!

Employment Services and Job Training

Another service we offer is employment services and job training. This means free, hands-on help with everything from work readiness to landing that next job. If you walk into our Mission Services office, we've got real support waiting for you - not just a pamphlet.

We'll walk through the job search with you, one step at a time. That might look like a career assessment to help you figure out what direction fits you best, building a resume that actually gets noticed, or practicing interview skills until you walk out feeling ready and confident!

We're proud to have helped over 275 locally employed people across Acadiana, each of whom started exactly where you might be right now: unsure of the next step, but ready to take it. Our goal isn't just to get you a job. It's to help you build the confidence and independence to thrive in a career you're proud of.

Crisis Assistance

At Goodwill Acadiana, we also help individuals who are experiencing an urgent, unforeseen crisis, whether that's a house fire, housing instability, a natural disaster, or something else entirely. It's hard to get back on your feet after a tragedy hits your home without warning, and we know that better than most.

Nobody can predict a crisis, and nobody should have to face one alone. That's why we do what we can to be there for our neighbors when it matters most. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to ask.

To use this service, we require a referral from an outside agency (like 232-HELP, United Way of Acadiana, or the American Red Cross of Louisiana) to confirm eligibility and figure out the right program for your situation. Once that's approved, you can receive a Goodwill voucher to use toward essential items like clothing, furniture, and household goods. The things you need to start rebuilding.

Pre-Vocational Habilitation

At Goodwill Acadiana, we offer plenty of opportunities for pre-vocational habilitation. If you've never heard the term, it's a service that helps people with disabilities build the everyday skills needed to start working toward a career. This includes following directions, staying on task, and working well with a team. We want to open the door to meaningful employment for individuals with physical or developmental barriers.

At GoodPrints, we're doing exactly that. Through hands-on work in screen printing and embroidery, our team members are building real, transferable skills that build confidence and open doors to future employment. The team we have now is growing every day, figuring out what they're capable of everyday along the way. And we're not stopping here. We want to keep building on that momentum and give even more people the chance to discover what they can do.

Affordable Housing

Our knowledgeable and trustworthy staff also manages over 35 properties across Acadiana, including independent living facilities for seniors, disabled individuals, and low-income families. Safe, stable housing shouldn't be out of reach for anyone, and we believe everyone deserves a roof over their head.

For a lot of families, finding a place that's affordable and actually well-kept is one of the hardest parts of everyday life. Our properties are built to take that weight off, giving people a place to land that's clean, safe, and within reach, so they can focus on the rest of what life throws at them.

If you'd like to learn more or see what's available, visit our property management website for more information.

Our Local Impact

With all of the services we offer our community, we've served over 60,000 people in Acadiana since 2017 and diverted 10.9 million pounds of items from landfills in 2024 alone. Every one of those numbers is a person, a family, a fresh start.

Goodwill Acadiana's mission has always been to reduce poverty, restore independence, and transform lives all across Acadiana. Everything you just read about is us living that out, one person at a time.

But we can't do it alone. You can help us reach even more of our neighbors just by sharing our story and telling someone who's struggling that help exists and it's closer than they think. If any of these services speak to you, or to someone you know, visit our website to get the help you need. We'll be here, ready to walk with you every step of the way.