It’s music to my ears when someone starts a conversation with “hey, can we go thrift shopping?” I get excited about all the possibilities that might be found searching through the racks at my favorite Goodwill store, and while I love shopping by myself, it’s equally satisfying to find some real treasure on the racks and turn to a friend standing nearby to show off the big find.

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There has been a lot of activity on the Hill and at the White House this week and the triangular negotiations on the reconciliation bill continue between progressive Democrats, moderate Democrats, and leadership (including President Biden).

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It’s finally spooky season! My Brooklyn neighborhood is already starting to go all out with outdoor Halloween decorations. Spiderwebs and giant spiders line gates between stoops and skeletons and pumpkins are out on every street. I love the way people find the fun in decorating and bringing the community together.

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Based on the book by Kristin Hannah, the Firefly Lane TV series took the Netflix world by storm with a story of a deep friendship between two women, following them from their teenage years into adulthood. The story takes place flipping between different points in their lives, giving insight into their personalities and friendship through different poignant stories.

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Goodwill Industries International is proud to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).  In his Presidential Proclamation, President Biden stated that NDEAM provides a chance for us to recommit ourselves to dismantling barriers to access and inclusion in the workplace. As the President observed, “people with disabilities are still too often marginalized and denied access to the American dream. . . The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these inequities, as people with disabilities have faced heightened risks.”

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Another crisis has been temporarily averted by Congress…for now. After a weeks-long standoff on the debt limit, the Senate passed a short-term measure that increased the ceiling by $480 billion, which will last until early December.

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Halloween season is upon us again, which brings with it the perfect opportunity to poke fun at pop-culture moments or pay homage to favorite TV shows. It’s a holiday that even we adults can get into, get creative and embrace our silly side.

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I’ll be the first to admit the summer heat really got to me this year. I’ve had enough of the humidity that makes my hair frizz up and my makeup sweat up by the time I get back to my apartment after a 10-minute walk. I love the warm weather, but the heat is another story. Fall brings a welcome change for me.

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With a few hours to spare, Congress narrowly avoided shutting down the federal government after passing a continuing resolution to keep the government open until December 3rd.  Lawmakers hope that the extension will given them ample time to pass the twelve appropriations bills, some of which have passed the House, but none have passed the Senate.  Continuing resolutions have become the norm, with Congress enacting one or more in all but three of the last 44 fiscal years. 

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In May 2021, Carmela Allen found herself out of work and out of hope after the impact of her alcohol use led to a second touchpoint with jail and the loss of her Social Security Disability benefits. She didn’t have enough money to pay the bills and lacked the self-esteem she needed to find work in a new field.  Everything had changed since she left her role as a nurse several years earlier.

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On the East Coast, the nights have started getting colder, the air becoming crisper as the color of the foliage begins to change and flutter to the ground. It’s clear that Autumn is coming — the passing of Labor Day putting an end to frequent weekend trips to the beach and the wearing of white pants, and I want my home to be prepared as sweater season starts to kick in!

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Growing up, Diondre Ouzts says he was never motivated or inspired by learning. For him, school was always more about sports and socializing than academics. By the time he made it to high school, his athletic talents were his primary reason for attending. Several setbacks and mistakes caused him to become academically ineligible to play high school football. Feeling defeated and disappointed in his fate, Diondre ultimately decided to drop out of school and never imagined he would obtain his high school diploma. 

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