On July 11, 2024, students from Goodwill’s Helms Academy walked the aisles in blue caps and gowns to accept their high school diplomas at the Camden County Boathouse. The graduates celebrated this memorable event with their families, Goodwill staff, and Board of Trustees.
While earning a high school diploma may be straightforward for some, for others, it marks a long-awaited milestone. Along the journey, we often encounter significant challenges. The Helms Academy, a 100% tuition-free adult education program offered by Goodwill Industries of Southern NJ and Philadelphia, allows students to earn their high school diploma through the GED/HiSet exam, while simultaneously earning 30 college credits.
Elbawati is one of the graduates who took the stand to share his story. Having faced mental health challenges and the aftermath of a concussion, Elbawati dropped out of high school in 2019 during his senior year. At 19, he found himself navigating adulthood, working full-time six days a week. Joining The Helms Academy marked a turning point for Elbawati, who now looks forward to leveraging his experience as he pursues higher education. He was awarded an Esports scholarship, typically offered by colleges and universities that have recognized students who demonstrate skills and achievements in the competitive video gaming industry. “This is something to be proud of. This was my goal: completing something, being proud of it,” Elbawati said. “I wanted to get ahead, I wanted to live a stable life.
[Photo on left: Philadelphia Inquirer / Photographed by Tyger Williams]
Another remarkable graduate is 61-year-old Fischer who left high school to serve the military. Due to knee and back injuries, he could no longer do labor-intensive work. Fischer had not been in a classroom for over four decades but was determined to finish what he started by earning his high school diploma. Though he initially struggled to pass his exams, Fischer studied hard, retook the test, and succeeded. Fischer proudly announced at the podium that he has been accepted to Pierce College to study computer technology. “Life happens,” Fischer said, “but it’s important that we never lose sight of our dreams and goals.”
A Peak at Additional Graduates at the Podium:
Your donations and purchases at Goodwill fund The Helms Academy and many other career-building programs. For more information on Goodwill’s adult education program, please visit www.helmsacademy.org.
To view more job training programs offered by Goodwill Industries of Southern NJ & Philadelphia, please click here.