Browning is constantly involved in development and construction around the region, but beyond our projects we are committed to supporting and strengthening the communities where we live and work.
Each year our employees come together to amplify the meaningful community impact of a nonprofit partner, improving lives and building community.
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana Project Day
For 2019 we chose Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana for our day of service. We are passionate about Goodwill’s mission of working towards an Indianapolis (and beyond) where everyone is empowered to increase their independence and reach their potential.
For the month of October we (along with our friends at the Indiana Bio Research Institute) held a Goodwill donation drive where every 14-lb bag of clothing and shoes generated a $5 Goodwill voucher for donation. Our employees donated 108 bags and as a result we were able to present 27 $20 gift vouchers to Flanner House, a community center on the northwest area with a similar mission of empowering individuals, children and families towards stabilization, and self-sufficiency.
On October 30th our team volunteered at an outlet store learning about Goodwill’s mission, helping to sort donations, and replenish the sales floor. At the outlet we learned about the flow of donations: sorting, distribution to stores, and how unsold goods are repurposed or recycled, minimizing what reaches our landfills.
We also learned that although their retail operation is an important and large part of who they are and what they do, Goodwill is much more than the retail stores. The stores fuel their work in central and southern Indiana, generating revenue for critical services while providing job opportunities for thousands of Hoosiers, many of whom face limited job options. Employment, education, and health are at the core of the Goodwill mission and how they help build up our neighbors.
Education:
Goodwill runs tuition-free charter schools (Indianapolis Met for students in grades 9-12 who are experiencing significant barriers and the Excel Center for adults who have barriers to education and require additional resources) helping them obtain a high school diploma and prepare for post-secondary education and/or a career that offers a living wage post-graduation. Nearly 4,000 students are currently enrolled across 15+ locations.
Employment:
In addition to hiring for Goodwill positions (especially for job-seekers with employment barriers like a disability, criminal history or limited education) Goodwill provides job readiness training and outplacement for individuals with barriers. More than 1,000 people have been placed into new jobs this year alone.
Health:
Goodwill helps connect families to resources for transportation, housing, childcare, financial literacy and more. From the Nurse-Family Partnership® pairing first-time mothers with a registered nurse to a child development center and preschool for children ages six weeks to five years, Goodwill wants to see all children develop to their full potential. More than 1,100 families are currently being served.
