NORTHWEST INDIANA - Goodwill LEADS, a non-profit affiliated with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, has received a $25-thousand dollar grant to offer training in Hammond and Gary for entry level IT certifications.
The grant came from Lake County’s Legacy Foundation for The Excel Centers.
The donation enables the Excel Center to offer training in entry-level IT certifications, such as: CompTIA IT Fundamentals and CIW Social Media Strategist.
The Excel Centers is a free public high school that works to ensure that its adult students over 18 earn their high school diploma.
Cindy Cavanaugh, Vice President says with the grant the Excel Centers can ensure that its students earn a certification that is industry recognized.
Cavanaugh says Industry recognition is huge as it will help students pursue employment in the ever-growing IT sector, and stand out above the competition.
Graduating students from the Excel Center receive an Indiana Core 40 Diploma and college credits or industry certification.
Goodwill LEADS was formed to develop The Excel Center and advance the educational opportunities in the communities it serves.
The acronym LEADS features key goals for this organization: Learn – Educate – Advance – Develop – Students; and its mission is to provide adult high school students with diplomas, support and career potential.
The Legacy Foundation invests in non-profit services and capacity building efforts. Through the generosity of a wide base of donors, Legacy Foundation has awarded $40M in grants and scholarships to non-profit organizations and individuals since its founding in 1992.
