Mindi Pettit, left, and Lauren Byers demonstrate putting together job interview outfits at the Warsaw Goodwill. Both work at the Warsaw Goodwill Community Center, where Byers is the manager. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Different people are familiar with Goodwill for different reasons. For some, it is a place to shop. For others, it is a place to drop off gently-used items they no longer need or want.

For many in the community, however, Goodwill has meant a new start.

While most are familiar with the donation and retail aspects of Goodwill, not everyone realizes what their donations and dollars go toward. While donated items are processed at one end of the store, dollars from the sales of those items are helping provide free, confidential job skill training, resume help, referrals and other services for those in the community facing job barriers.

These barriers may include disabilities, lack of certain skills, layoffs, limited English proficiency or life situations that make obtaining a job difficult. Programs are available to those who may not have finished high school as well as to those who have completed a degree but are having trouble with placement or are facing a career transition.

Mindi Pettit and Lauren Byers browse skill learning options on one of several computers located at the Warsaw Goodwill Community Career Center.

Services include but are not limited to resume building, cover letters, thank-you letters, job application help and employment leads. Clients can also find help with technology, like setting up and using email, Internet safety and programs like Microsoft Office, which many companies require.

Computer space is available at no cost for those needing to update resumes, use social media in the job search process, check email or participate in online classes. Goodwill also offers a free resource website called GCF Learn Free.

Unemployment brings a list of struggles. For those in need of assistance with bills or rent while searching for a job, the career center is able to refer them to local programs that can help. Byers can even lend a hand with dressing for the occasion, offering practical tips and helping clients shop for the right outfit from the retail store. Discounts to the store are available for career center clients.

For those not sure the right job is out there for them, Friend assures them, there are plenty of places to look.

“In this community, we are definitely in need of workers,” she said.

The career center often hosts job fairs and hiring events with local employers. These events are always free and open to the public. Upcoming sessions for November include creating a thank-you card with Microsoft Word from 2-3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16; Typing 101 from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, and a Word skills workshop from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Veterans in the community can stop by any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, for a thank-you gift.

Additional information about these and other career center programs is available at Goodwill’s website.