Education empowers: Local facility offers keys to change

A 30-year-old Poplar Bluff mother is working toward her dream job, thanks to the Excel Center, operated by MERS Goodwill.

Ashley Louis said, “The Excel Center program has changed my life because without it, I wouldn’t be able to attend college. I was able to leave a job I was at for six years to go to a job I have always wanted, working with children. That wouldn’t be possible without having my high school diploma.”

A single mother of “three wonderful boys,” Louis is attending Three Rivers College and majoring in social work.

“I heard about the Excel Center through my older brother who attended there. We went together for a term, but I decided to stop going because I had too much going on,” she said.

In March 2020, after her brother passed away, Louis said, “I decided to return to the Excel Center, not only for myself, but for him as well. I also decided to go because of my children. I try to push them to do so well in school. It made no sense for me to do that if I myself didn’t even have my diploma.”

Louis praised the center staff, calling them “incredible. I still reach out as a student in college if I need any assistance, and they are always willing to help with no hesitation. To someone thinking about attending the Excel Center, you just have to do it. The staff is amazing and they push you to be a better you, no matter what you are going through, whether it be school related or something at home, they are always there to help. The Excel Center has changed my life in so many ways. I’m so thankful for the center because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

There are approximately 500,000 people in Missouri older than 21 without a high school diploma and MERS Goodwill encourages adult learners and achievers to continue utilizing the Excel Centers.

MERS Goodwill operates four Excel Centers in Missouri: St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, Springfield and Columbia. Offering a tuition-free high school experience for adult learners, Excel Centers offer flexible class schedules, life coaches and free childcare to continue providing accessibility and opportunity to students working toward brighter futures.

Enterprise Holdings Foundation is a supporter of educational program and has once again granted $125,000 to MERS Goodwill for use in the organization’s Goodwill Excel Centers. The foundation, affiliated in operation with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-A-Car brands, is the philanthropic branch of Enterprise Holdings.

“Goodwill has always been grateful for the support received from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation for the continued success of our Excel Centers,” said Dave Kutchback, president and CEO of MERS Goodwill. “With the generosity of organizations like this one, MERS Goodwill can keep changing lives, uplifting communities and guiding people to a bright future through our programs, especially the Excel Centers.”

A member of the MERS Goodwill Board of Directors, Chris Tabourne is an employee of Enterprise Holdings and continues to help MERS Goodwill support its mission of changing lives through the power of work.

“Enterprise, just like MERS Goodwill, believes in empowering our communities through education and skill-building,” said Tabourne. “We’re honored to be able to contribute to programs like the Excel Centers and pleased at the positive impact they continue to have on families in Missouri communities.”

Those interested in applying to attend an Excel Center can call 314-982-8802 or visit https://mersgoodwill.org/excel-center-registration-form/.