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The child care room at the newly opened Goodwill Training and Education Center in Springdale was not yet complete during a recent tour. However, the room did have colorful mats and small chairs for mothers to read to their children. The center aims to provide students with two opportunities for education. The Excel Center offers high school courses for students to earn a diploma, while the Goodwill Academy offers professional career training and certifications for students with a diploma or GED. Both programs are located within the same building. The center has two hallways, with the Excel Center’s classrooms on the north side and the academy’s classrooms on the south side. A common area in the middle provides students with a place to study, eat, and socialize. Goodwill’s senior vice president stated that removing barriers to education is one of the most impactful services the school can provide. Enrollment in a Goodwill program includes free on-site child care, life coaching, and remedial instruction if needed. The child care room is conveniently located near the excel classrooms, allowing parents to spend time with their children between classes or at lunch. The Excel Center director highlighted the importance of reading to children, and mentioned that the child care room will have a variety of children’s books available. The Excel program support services are offered free of charge to all students, thanks to the sales generated by Goodwill stores. Goodwill does not receive any federal or state funding to operate its schools. Classes at the Springdale center will begin on July 24 and each program is expected to attract around 25-30 students. The center has a capacity of 350 students. The unlocking ceremony for the center will take place on Wednesday and will include remarks from the state Secretary of Education, as well as tours and lunch. The following day will be dedicated to introducing students to staff and providing tours, as well as offering tailgate-themed food. The center’s director emphasized that the program is designed for adult learners who are committed to their education and expect the instruction to be relevant and useful. The center also offers support services for students who are dealing with food and housing insecurity. The child care room will accept children from 4 months old to school age on a drop-in basis. The center also has life coaches who can assist students with non-academic needs and help them plan for their educational and career goals. The center offers classes in language arts, math, and science, along with remediation and individual tutoring as needed. The center aims to help students reach at least an eighth-grade reading level in order to complete the program. The Excel Center does not offer GED training, only high school diplomas. The academy at the center offers various industry-certified credential and diploma programs, including welding, construction trades, industrial maintenance, clinical medical assistance, and business technology. The academy also responds to industry needs by creating new programs, such as a hospital room simulation at the Little Rock academy to train students in proper cleaning procedures. The academy classes have some costs associated with equipment and supplies, but scholarships and industry funding are available to help offset the expenses.
