Celebrating Second Chances: Honoring Our Re-Entry Services Graduates

Goodwill Industries of Kansas celebrated a group of remarkable individuals on Monday, May 12. Our Re-Entry Services program members of Cohort #10 have faced challenges that many of us will never understand, and yet, they have shown determination to keep moving forward. Their success deserves not only recognition but a resounding round of applause.

We are deeply grateful to our partners at WSU Tech and our dedicated Goodwill Re-Entry Services team for their work to make this program possible. We’re proud to stand by them as they carry out our mission every day.

“This program is a true representation of our Goodwill mission. While many people hear Goodwill and think of our thrift stores, those stores exist to fuel our mission of transforming lives and communities through the power of education, training, and employment. Our stores make this program possible,” said Goodwill Industries of Kansas President & CEO Laura Ritterbush.

Our Re-Entry Services program was created to offer a second chance to individuals involved with the justice system. Through this initiative, students earn their high school diplomas, receive career training, gain work-ready certifications, and develop essential life skills. This program helps create a foundation for a more stable future.

The impact of this work goes far beyond individual lives. In 2024, approximately 32,000 people spent at least one night in the Sedgwick County Jail. The estimated cost to the county for its incarcerations was a staggering $64.6 million.

Research also tells us that formerly incarcerated individuals who secure a sustainable living wage are one-third less likely to return to prison, and that risk drops by half when they earn a degree. Helping people succeed doesn’t just change their lives; it reduces the societal and economic burden.

Thanks to our community partners, Re-Entry students leave the program ready to join the workforce, support their families, and make meaningful contributions to our local economy.

Congratulations to our graduates of Cohort #10 on this incredible achievement!