"Yes, This is About Me - But It's Really About Them"

Please join us in congratulating Crystal on her HiSET!🫶

Crystal's journey is the definition of victory against all odds. Having dropped out of high school due to a demotivating social circle, she moved away from her family in Virginia to start her own family in Louisiana, and after a rough period, she was left to raise her three children alone.

She was driven to achieve something greater, so she set out to achieve her HiSET. She's the first one in her family to achieve her high school diploma, and she values breaking generational curses and leaving a life for her children far greater than she could've ever imagined for herself.

When talking about her HiSET completion, she said "yes, this about me - but it's really about them!" as she gestured to her kids. She plans to become a local real estate agent and continue being the best mom she can be.

Our adult education instructor, Janet, topped off the celebration with goodie bags full of candy and toys for her children!🎉

Crystal, you have a heart of gold, and we're so proud of your selflessness and hard work! Keep breaking barriers and reach out if you ever need anything.

To our community: you are the reason we're able to transform lives like Crystal. YOUR DONATIONS CHANGE LIVES🫶

5 Things You Need to Know about the HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) and Goodwill's Role in it

Did you know that some states no longer offer the GED? While Louisiana still offers the GED in addition to the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), many are unfamiliar with the HiSET exam and its function.

Here are five things you need to know about the HiSET and Goodwill Acadiana's test preparation assistance.

1. HiSET credentials are accepted by federal programs including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the U.S. Military, and the U.S. Department of Labor Job Corps Program.

2. HiSET tests and retests are the least expensive high school equivalency tests available.

3. Goodwill Acadiana offers a free HiSET preparation course that is personalized to each learner’s needs.

4. Goodwill Acadiana pays for the first attempt at the HiSET for students ACTIVE in the program. Each part of the HiSET test can be taken one at a time as opposed to cramming them all into one or two days.

5. If you are 18 years of age or older and live in the Acadiana area, you may qualify for Goodwill Acadiana’s free HiSET preparation course. The HiSET preparation course is available in Lafayette, and Opelousas. 

To learn more, contact our services department at (337) 769-7650.

Source: https://hiset.ets.org

Everyone Needs a Mentor

Please join us in congratulating Curtis on achieving his HiSET!🫶

Curtis' educational journey has been a long one, and he's persevered through it all. After receiving encouragement from his cousin and support from his mentor, Mr. Freeman, he enrolled in our HiSET program in 2023. After a year and a half of hard work, he's achieved his HiSET and is the first person from his family to achieve their high school credentials!

Curtis also lives in a Goodwill managed property, allowing us to impact his life in more ways than one. He credits his achievement to Mr. Freeman, who sacrificed a lot of time and effort over Curtis' life to ensure that he lives in a positive environment and has the tools for success.

To celebrate, we surprised him with his favorite blueberry-filled King Cake from Rickey Meche's Donut King!

Curtis, we're so proud of you - you have such a smart and caring heart, and you're going to achieve amazing things.

Mr. Freeman, thank you for being Curtis' angel when he needed support. The world needs more people like you.

To our community: you are the reason we're able to transform lives like Curtis.

YOUR DONATIONS CHANGE LIVES🫶

Curtis being surprised with his favorite blueberry-filled King Cake from Rickey Meche's Donut King!

Curtis erasing his name off the board, symbolizing his completion of the Goodwill Acadiana HiSET program!