Canutillo ISD and Goodwill celebrate First EDS Program graduates

Canutillo ISD and Goodwill Industries of El Paso celebrated a milestone achievement this month with the graduation of the first cohort of students from the Employee Development Services (EDS) Program.

The program, launched during the 2024-25 school year through a partnership between CISD and Goodwill, is designed to provide students in the district’s Special Education Program with real-world training and job skills in a retail setting. Six students completed the program’s 120 hours of hands-on instruction and were honored in a ceremony at Canutillo ISD Central Office.

The graduates are:

• Aneth Castro Saucedo
• Nathaniel Looney
• Damian Lopez
• Tanya Luevano
• Virginia Perez Terrazas
• Zayra Yanar

“These students, young men and women, are now ready for the next phase of their career,” said Melinda Jordan, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of El Paso. “They’ll be able to work in a retail environment and be successful because of the training they received through their teachers and the EDS Program.”

The EDS Program operates out of the new Goodwill store located on the Canutillo High School campus. The store, open to students, staff, and community members, sells gently used donated clothing, toys, jewelry and furniture. Students in the program manage all aspects of the store, including stocking merchandise, organizing displays and handling customer service.

The initiative provides a unique learning environment where students can develop job-readiness skills while contributing to a functioning retail business. Through their participation, students gain experience in merchandising, inventory management and communication—skills they can apply in restaurants, stores, and other customer-facing businesses after graduation.

“This partnership is a shining example of what’s possible when education and community organizations come together to support students,” said Elvia Moreno, Director of Special Education for Canutillo ISD. “Canutillo continues to find ways to serve our students and families and set them up for success. Thanks to Goodwill and the EDS Program, we have one more tool our students can access to meet their academic and life goals.”

The program also allows the broader Canutillo community to contribute to student development. Gently used donations collected by the district help stock the store’s shelves, while also creating a sustainable and engaging educational model that directly benefits students with special needs.

The success of the program’s first year and its inaugural graduating class has district leaders and Goodwill officials hopeful for continued growth and expansion.

“The skills our students are learning are real, relevant, and immediately useful,” Moreno said. “Programs like EDS empower students to be confident, independent and prepared for life after high school.”

The graduation ceremony served as a capstone to the students’ hard work and dedication throughout the year, and as a celebration of the community's shared commitment to creating inclusive and meaningful learning opportunities.

As the graduates prepare for their next steps, they carry with them the lessons learned at Canutillo High School—and the confidence that they are ready to contribute and thrive in the workplace.

For more information about the EDS Program or how to support the Goodwill store at CHS, please contact the CISD Special Education Department.