Over the past year, 172 learners at Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan’s Adult Education and Training Program have made positive strides towards their academic, professional and personal goals. In 2023, 20 adult learners earned their GED certificate. Of them, 14 were parents who are serving as role models and first teachers of their children.

Our program provides more than academic, training and testing support. It gives wraparound services that remove barriers to learning such as childcare, education, employment, financial, health and transportation for every learner that needs it. This includes free childcare for children ages 0-4 at the Little Scholars Child Development Center, offered onsite to allow parents and children to learn simultaneously.

Some of our proudest moments are when our programs adult learners take the stage at graduation to receive their diploma in front of their families after their hard work passing GED tests in math, language arts, social studies and science. Many of these graduates have gone on to successful careers in manufacturing, early childhood education and health care, or have continued their education in community college, a four-year university or the trades.

The Adult Education and Training Program at Goodwill is supported by many partners who are committed to the success of the adult learners we serve, including Kalamazoo Adult Education, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Western Michigan University. We are grateful for the continued support of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation for helping the adult learners and families we serve succeed.

For more information, visit: www.goodwillswmi.org