Category: The Goodwill Blog

Imagine if a neighbor or family member suddenly found himself or herself without a job, and consequently without a home for his or her family. For Tiarra, this was an unfortunate reality. Without employment, she and her children were homeless and were at one point forced to sleep in a car. Now imagine if everyone in your community had access to job training to put them on a career path that provided financial stability and a secure future for themselves and their families.

READ MORE from Spread Awareness About the Importance of Job Training

In 2014 unexpectedly, my fiancée died tragically. He was the sole source of income for me and my four children. The shock and depression crippled me. My mom, who is from Maryland, stayed with me for about nine months. We met with Greta [from Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana] and talked about computer classes and possibly working at the Goodwill store.

READ MORE from My Story: Allison Dees

Harry Potter super-fans have now read (and maybe re-read!) the newest installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a play whose script was released earlier this summer. Year after year (new release or not), this wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling is continuously infatuating for people around the globe, so it was about time we paid homage to it here!

READ MORE from DIY Harry Potter Inspired Projects

When the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program program (TANF) was created, work and family supports were cited as priorities to provide a safety net and promote work, but over the years flaws in the program’s structure have become apparent. As a result of multiple barriers fewer families in poverty are being helped. In 2014, 23 out of every 100 families in poverty received TANF benefits, as opposed to 68 out of 100 in 1996. Currently, fewer than one in five poor children receive help through TANF. In addition, states spend very little – 8 percent -- of TANF funds on work-related activities that necessary for people to succeed.

READ MORE from 20 Years Since Welfare Reform: The Safety Net Needs Repair

As you surely remember, schools - especially high schools - are known for their cliques. During their pre-teen and teen years, kids are constantly exploring different facets of themselves trying on different personas to see what feels right (Am I a jock? An artist? A member of band? Some unique combination of all of those?). This back-to-school season, help your child find their niche without throwing your budget out the window by shopping at Goodwill® where you can find necessities for every interest.

READ MORE from Back to School Scores for Every Crowd

We’ve all said or thought, ”I could do a better job than (name the member of Congress)” at one time or another,  and with Congress’s approval ratings in single digits, who can blame us?   But is it really that easy?  Well here is your chance to find out. We all know the importance of social

READ MORE from Can You Save Social Security?

Each month, the Social Good Blog highlights news and resources on a specific topic. In August, we are exploring how collaboration between community colleges and businesses can help facilitate the advancement of America's workforce through 'upskilling'.

READ MORE from Good Links for August

I love my family. But I was failing them. I wanted some quick money, and I got mixed up in illegal drug activity. I hurt everyone I loved – including me. It cost me a lot, 26 months in federal prison. But more than that, it cost me my ability to work. When I got out, no one would hire someone with a felony record. Every job I applied for said no, even if I was the best-qualified guy.

READ MORE from My Story: Charles Jackson

In August of 1991, with the release of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), kids across the United States squealed with delight as they carefully unpacked that gleaming box to begin their inaugural run of Super Mario World or SimCity. Many parents looked gleefully on, happy to have provided their children with a safe new pastime (then waited for bedtime so they could take the SNES out for a spin themselves!) probably not realizing how much the brand new gaming console would influence their kids’ childhoods. Fast forward to 2016 and at its 25th anniversary, you’ll still find members of the Millennial generation plugging in those old familiar controllers for a nostalgic walk down SNES’s memory lane.

READ MORE from Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Super Nintendo

As our country faces a contentious election, having my nights filled with the Olympics is a welcome distraction. President Obama noted in an interview which aired just prior to the opening ceremony that the Olympics is an event that can unite our country. The event also serves as a way for people to learn about other nations and share in the struggles that are faced by athletes around the world.

READ MORE from If Voting Were An Olympic Sport, Would America Win?

More than ever before, employers are looking for a skilled workforce. However, these same organizations are running into road bumps trying to find the right talent for open positions. It’s not that people aren’t looking for jobs; in fact, the opposite is true. People are searching for jobs and finding a mismatch of their skills with what the employer is seeking. So you might ask, “What can we do to address this issue?” One possible solution — encouraging job seekers to enroll in school.

READ MORE from Why Collaboration is Essential for a Skilled Workforce

When I hear those first big booms of the Olympic theme song, my heart rate always quickens and I swell with national pride. Every two years when that torch is lit again, I’m reminded of the sense of community that prevails whenever we support one another’s dreams. Today is the day that the 2016 Summer Olympics open in Rio, and because the dream of working hard toward a personal goal is an idea that’s well-known worldwide, I want to celebrate the event with you, too.

READ MORE from Get Ready for the 2016 Olympics