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Rockford, IL – Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois’ tuition-free Excel Center® scheduled to open in Fall 2025, has found a home within the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford, IL. The space will provide a centralized location, transportation options, established on-site childcare and a free YMCA of Rock River Valley membership for a holistic approach to success.
This announcement of the new YMCA location replaces Goodwill’s original plans to build an Excel Center campus at the North Towne Mall after experiencing construction delays.
“We are thrilled that we could formalize our location at the YMCA and look forward to helping thousands of Illinois residents build brighter futures,” said Ben Bernsten, President of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois.
In addition to providing YMCA memberships to enrolled students, Goodwill will invest in the renovation of the Kids’ Care area at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA to provide space for more children.
“We are blessed to work with community partners who share our mission to strengthen the community in spirit, mind, and body,” said Brent Pentenburg, CEO, YMCA of Rock River Valley. “We know access to childcare can be a barrier for many adults to return to school. We are excited to fill that gap for Excel Center students.”
The Excel Center classrooms at the YMCA will be located in the current Judson University space. The classrooms will be updated to fit the needs of the Excel Center students and will be state-of-the-art.
“Judson University and the YMCA of Rock River Valley have had an exceptional partnership serving the educational needs of the community,” said Dr. Gene Crume, President, Judson University. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Y and welcoming Goodwill and their educational endeavors.”
The Excel Center is a proven model to help individuals who did not graduate from high school increase their education level and employability. Nearly 70% of Excel Center students are employed within six months after graduation and typically see a 50% wage increase.
It is estimated that over 30,000 individuals in the Rockford region and over 1 million people in the state of Illinois don’t have their GED or high school diploma.
As the first of its kind in Illinois, the tuition-free Excel Center provides extensive support services including flexible class schedules, on-site childcare, transportation assistance, industry-recognized certifications, connections to community resources and career counselors who will help graduates transition into college or meaningful careers.
The Excel Center model was created by Goodwill Education Initiatives, Inc., a not-for-profit organization formed by Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana. Since the first Excel Center began operating in Indianapolis in 2010, 47 schools now operate in ten states plus Washington, D.C.
Goodwill will offer community members, local leaders and stakeholders several informative sessions throughout 2025 to learn about the transformative impact the Excel Center will have on our residents. For more information about the Excel Center visit the Excel Center website at www.excelcenternil.org.
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