My life journey is as long as the yellow brick road. I left home at the age of 12 to go to foster care when my mother's boyfriend abused me and my seven brothers and sisters. I lost hearing in my left ear and I am partially deaf in my right ear. Living in and out of foster care taught me a lot and showed me a lot of responsibility.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
Plaid is Back!
Remember, back in October, when we explored the fabulous variety that plaid can offer? Get ready for round two of the plaid obsession! This month, when I started to look for holiday crafts, do you know which pattern I found to be overwhelmingly popular? You guessed it – plaid. There are tons and tons of different plaid holiday home décor projects out in the blogosphere.
What Has the 113th Congress Accomplished This Year?
The 113th Congress comes to a close this week and lawmakers are probably just as happy as the American public to put the last two years behind them and start anew. A recent Gallup poll reported that Congressional approval ratings are just one point higher than last year at 15 percent. Under this Congress we’ve seen a government shutdown and the invocation of the nuclear option (a Senate procedure allowing a rule or precedent to be overridden). However, there were some moments worth celebrating, particularly during the second session of the Congress this year.
READ MORE from What Has the 113th Congress Accomplished This Year?
Five Career Pathways in the Hospitality Industry
What if I told you that a career in hospitality could lead to you traveling the world? If you consider yourself to be adaptable and hardworking, and genuinely enjoy helping others, then you could be a winning smile—and a certification or two—away from working in hotel and resort staff, tour management, cruise ships, dining and more. These career pathways are just some of the options in the field.
READ MORE from Five Career Pathways in the Hospitality Industry
Project Runway Star Designs One-of-a-Kind Coat for Portland Goodwill Auction
Michelle Lesniak, season 11 winner of popular TV show Project Runway, is using her high fashion skills to help raise money for Goodwill Industries of Columbia Willamette (Portland). The designer has created a coat from a collection of donated clothing. Her one-of-a-kind design is currently being auctioned on shopgoodwill.com. The relationship with Lesniak began when Portland Goodwill’s Copywriter
READ MORE from Project Runway Star Designs One-of-a-Kind Coat for Portland Goodwill Auction
My Story: Guerline Guerrier
I worked for twenty years in my family’s restaurant in Haiti, where I am born. After the earthquake in 2010, I and my two children were part of the humanitarian sponsorship program instituted by the Canadian government. Upon my arrival, I was warmly welcomed, but I then had to wait for months for my work
Fixing Up Goodwill® Finds For The Holidays
From shoes to sweaters to school supplies, we all know that Goodwill® has just about anything you could ever dream of. But sometimes, that gorgeous pair of heels staring at you from the shelf needs a little help to bounce back to the glamor of their glory days. Today, let’s check out some of the ways that others have fixed up their Goodwill finds for the holiday season!
Congress Lurches to the Finish Line with FY 2015 Budget Baton
Negotiations over the $1.1 trillion spending bill for FY 2015 continue despite snags over everything from trucking regulations and pension funding to terrorism insurance and the Dodd-Frank law that tightened financial regulations in the wake of the financial meltdown that helped trigger the Great Recession.
READ MORE from Congress Lurches to the Finish Line with FY 2015 Budget Baton
You’re Worth It! How to Ask for a Raise
Apart from the interview, one of the more stressful times in our job is asking your boss for a raise. Preparing ahead of time and making a plan will help ease the stress. Here are three things you should know when asking for a raise.
New Recycling Center Opens in Mobile, AL
On November 20, the Mobile County Recycling Center opened its doors to the public in Alabama. This project will provide residents with an attractive facility at which they can drop off their recyclable material. Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Mobile) will operate and manage the facility with between four to eight staff and many volunteers.
My Story: Diane Duquette
I was on welfare for a long time, but had always hoped to return to work. I began looking but had no success due to my age and prolonged inactivity. It was through my agent at Emploi-Québec that I heard about Goodwill Renaissance Montreal in Quebec.
Starting New Holiday Traditions
Perhaps one of the most wonderful things about the holiday season, no matter which occasion you celebrate, is that every family has its own unique practices, each adding to the enjoyment of the year. This year, consider starting a new tradition to amplify the spirit of the season!
