FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Every year, WTWO holds a Remarkable Women’s contest. Among this year’s nominees is Meredith Osburn. She’s the President and CEO of Wabash Valley Goodwill.
She began working at Goodwill more than 14 years ago, after seeing a job opening.
“I sent in my resume and a few weeks later I was hired and there’s no looking back. I knew I was home immediately,” said Meredith Osburn.
Goodwill sells items you donate. The money raised is then used to help provide jobs to people who otherwise, might struggle for employment.
“We meet people where they are and we try to find their success,” added Osburn.
Some of the people Goodwill hires have physical or mental disabilities. Others may have been in the criminal justice system or overcome an addiction issue.
“It provides a lot of job opportunities for people who did not work out in traditional means,” continued Osburn.
Osburn has also been very active in her efforts to create the Excel Center. It’s located in Terre Haute’s Meadows Shopping Center and helps people get their high school diploma.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been out of high school for three days or 33 years. It doesn’t matter. We meet you where you are at and then start building upon that,” said Osburn.
Because of Osburn’s hard work, the Excel Center has been a huge success. In fact, so successful it had to expand. That’s just one of the reasons she was nominated as a Remarkable Woman. A nomination Osburn said she appreciates.
“It’s nice to be recognized for that hard work and some of the time. It does take away from your family to focus on the mission,” said Osburn.
Wabash Valley Goodwill serves 12 counties. To learn more about the Excel Center click here.
