‘Tis the season to be grateful, reflect on accomplishments, and plan for new opportunities. The Government Relations team at Goodwill Industries International (GII), is grateful for advocates like you. During the 114th Congress, our advocates sent more than 2,000 letters to lawmakers on important topics like funding for workforce development and job-training programs; support for people with barriers to employment including older workers, people with criminal backgrounds, and people with disabilities; and protecting charitable giving incentives.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
My Story: Lavar Edwards
"In 1995, at the age of 15, I was shot in the back and have been paralyzed from the waist down ever since, confining me to a wheelchair. Imagine being told you would never walk again and the impact that has to a 15 year old."
Volunteering at Goodwill®: Ways to Get Involved
While Goodwill can help you connect to volunteer opportunities at a variety of organizations in your area, you may also choose to volunteer directly at one of our career centers, retail stores or other locations. Read more to learn how and where you can help out and gain valuable job experience.
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Easy DIY Gifts for your Workplace Cohorts
The holidays are hard enough when you have a large network of family and friends to buy for, but adding colleagues or your kids’ teachers into the mix can be downright distressing! Never fear—we’re here to help! Here are some gift ideas for the bosses, officemates, and teachers in your life.
Give Families an Economic Boost All Year
As the year comes to a close, many of us take the opportunity to spend time with friends and family and to help those around us. One way to help more people is by joining Goodwill® to support programs that boost economic stability for low-income individuals and families.
How to Be Your Own Best Advocate
While specific job skills and talent play a huge role in workplace success, a less talked about skill – self-advocacy – can lead to greater job satisfaction and higher compensation. Here's how to advocate for your own success.
The Festival of Lights at Goodwill®
The first year that I was invited over to my brother’s house to celebrate Hanukkah with his family, I was humbled. Like many Americans, I grew up in a home that celebrated only Christmas, but as an adult I was suddenly able to peek into another holiday tradition and I appreciate that honor. Watching my niece and nephew explore their Jewish heritage was a joy. They giggled as they spun their dreidel and I admired their little faces in the glow of the light from the menorah. Now that Hanukkah is just over two weeks away, Jewish families are gearing up to celebrate once again.
Congress Set to Approve Five Month Funding Extension
By Friday evening the House and Senate will have approved another continuing resolution (CR) that, yet again, kicks the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations process down the road until April 28. With your help Goodwill ® urged Congress to wrap up all of the FY 2017 spending bills before the end of the year.
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Fight for Job Creation
Consider how different today’s economy is from just 10 years ago. Ten years ago, there were no app developers, and the sharing economy was barely a blip on our radar. Entry-level credential requirements have changed too. By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the economy will require post-secondary education and training beyond high school.
How to Learn One New Thing Every Day
Learning doesn’t have to end just because you aren’t engaged in a formal training or education program. Committing to learning one new thing in your field each day can not only help keep your brain sharp, but also improve your awareness of the latest industry trends.
My Story: Thomas Hannan
"I was having a rough time. I didn’t live with my parents, I was “couch-surfing” and I didn’t have a home of my own or a parent providing for me. I would just go from house to house of friends I lived with, sleeping on their couches."
Va-Va-Voom! Why Shopping at Goodwill® is a Plus-Size Win
If you thrive on thrifting then you probably already know this, but it still feels worth noting: second hand stores are where every person’s wildest dreams can come true (especially sartorial ones)! Shopping for your body type can be super challenging, especially if you tend to love the styles that a certain brand provides, but their sizing is too limited. If you’re plus-size, though, don’t feel bound to that boring strip mall store. Your curves are begging you for a trip to Goodwill!
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