Goodwill Excel Center to Host Official Ribbon Cutting for Columbia Location

Columbia’s adult high school is the fourth Excel Center location in Missouri

ST. LOUIS, MO (January 7, 2019) – MERS Goodwill opened its fourth Missouri adult high school in Columbia on October 28, 2019. Now heading in to its second term with 200 students registered, the school will officially showcase its new space and finished classrooms with an open house and ribbon cutting. The Goodwill Excel Centers, located in Columbia, St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, and Springfield, are tuition-free high schools that help adults earn their high school diplomas.

The open house will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:15 a.m. Located at the former Daily Tribune building at 101 North 4th Street in Columbia, faculty, students and executives will welcome neighbors and businesses in the area along with interested students and families to take a tour and learn more about the high school program.

“Each Excel Center provides not only the opportunity for adults over age 21 to earn their high school diploma, but we have life coaches to provide life skills and we offer workplace certifications, allowing for higher wages and increased career opportunities”, said Dave Kutchback, President and CEO of MERS Goodwill. “With recent graduations last year of more than 80 students held in our other three locations, we are excited to see new graduates ‘excel’ in the Columbia area.”

There are more than 500,000 people in Missouri over 21 without a high school diploma, and MERS Goodwill hopes that people continue to take advantage of the Goodwill Excel Centers. Class times are flexible to accommodate work schedules, and each facility has a drop-in childcare center which is free for students attending class.

“I believe in the Excel Centers’ work to provide chances for adults to earn their high school diploma, along with opportunities for those unemployed to become employed or move up in their jobs and chosen careers,” remarked Mike Reynolds, Goodwill Excel Center Director in Columbia. “We hope to drive enrollment through the open houses we hold and watch students’ excitement as they reach new milestones.”

Students interested in enrolling can contact the school director, Mike Reynolds, at 573-499-1220 or mreynolds@mogoodwillexcel.org. Students may also visit the new Goodwill Excel Center website: https://excel.mersgoodwill.org/.

Again, the address of the new Goodwill Excel Center in Columbia is: 101 North 4th Street, Columbia MO, 65201. For additional information on the Goodwill Excel Centers and to register, call 314-982-8802, or visit https://mersgoodwill.wpengine.com/excel-center-registration-form/.

About MERS Goodwill Industries

Celebrating more than 100 years, MERS Goodwill’s mission is changing lives through the power of work. Its vision is a community where each individual has the opportunity to learn, work, and achieve their greatest potential. Annually serving more than 40,000 individuals, the non-profit agency operates in 75 locations serving 89 counties in the bi-state area. Revenues from 44 Goodwill stores assist with funding MERS Goodwill job training and employment services. MERS Goodwill is a proud member of the United Way. For more information about MERS Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call (314) 241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.