Donation supports Another Way program
Published 6:00 am Thursday, October 29, 2026
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Workers with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s Another Way program in Louisville stand next to a donated van during an event at Goodwill Kentucky’s Bowling Green Opportunity Center. The van was donated to support the Another Way program in Bowling Green.
(JACK DOBBS / Daily News)
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Kevin Smith, external affairs head for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, speaks during an event at Goodwill Kentucky’s Bowling Green Opportunity Center welcoming a donated van and celebrating the work of the Another Way program in Bowling Green.
(JACK DOBBS / Daily News)
The sun shined down on Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s Bowling Green Opportunity Center on Tuesday as a crowd gathered to welcome the donation of a large passenger van that will support the organization’s growing Another Way program.
“We’re grateful to have so many friends, partners and community leaders here to celebrate this,” said Kevin Smith, head of external affairs for Goodwill Kentucky. “We’re excited about this because our vision is to end poverty in Kentucky.”
Another Way started in Bowling Green in 2024 and seeks to provide opportunities for individuals to gain job skills training and “work-based learning opportunities” as an alternative to panhandling.
Personnel from Goodwill visit highly trafficked areas of Bowling Green, such as street corners and homeless shelters, taking individuals to different worksites. Those who opt in work a four hour shift and are given a $50 stipend.
Participants are also connected to resources such as medical care and treatment and can obtain identification documents, housing and even full-time employment. Individuals can participate in the program up to 10 times.
Another Way had been active in Louisville for several years before coming to Bowling Green. The program is funded in part by Bowling Green city government. In its first year the city approved an $81,000 funding agreement, a number that grew to $120,000 this year.
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Tuesday’s event celebrated the donation of a 15-passenger van to the program, allowing for more people to be picked up and receive aid. The van was donated by Jim and Darlene Johnson.
“This community is a very giving community, and they’ve decided that they want to strengthen this program and give us the ability to serve individuals working towards a brighter future,” Smith said.
Rena Sharpe, chief operating officer for Goodwill Kentucky, said the program has seen “thousands” of people experiencing homelessness turn their lives around through the program.
“There’s people in this congregation right now who started out on this van and now own their own homes,” she said. “So never underestimate the power of a human being.”
One of those aided through the program is Kris York, who now works for Goodwill with the program in Bowling Green. York said he was struggling with addiction and homelessness before entering the program in Louisville, later gaining employment and is now in the process of buying a home.
“I get the opportunity to pick these people up … and give them another opportunity,” he said. “For me, it’s so special … I love Bowling Green, it’s my home, and y’all are such beautiful people.”
About Jack Dobbs
Jack covers city government for the Daily News. Originally from Simpson County, he attended Western Kentucky University and graduated in 2022 with a degree in journalism.
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