Category: The Goodwill Blog

More and more every year, our lives extend into the virtual world. Two-thirds of Americans have a profile on at least one social network, and up to 40 percent of Americans use Facebook on a daily basis. Fair or not, the things that you and your friends might find funny, or that personal hobby that’s the center of your digital world, can stand between you and the job you really want. Here are some ways to clean up your profile and make yourself more attractive to employers.

READ MORE from Polish Your Online Image to Improve Your Job Prospects

Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan (GINM) (Traverse City) recently garnered national attention for its community-based job training program, Farm to Freezer, that flash freezes produce from local farms in Northern Michigan. Current program leader, Mark Coe, who originally worked for a nearby farm, came up with the idea in 2013.

READ MORE from Farm to Freezer Offers Produce, Jobs to Local Residents in Traverse City

After my accident, I was unable to work for several years. In November 2012, I felt like it was time for me to go back to work, so I came back to Goodwill to see if I could get a job. The agency hired me to be a cashier in one of the Goodwill retail stores, and a couple of months later, I was employed at the Barksdale Air Force Base Commissary as a shelf stocker.

READ MORE from My Story: Tony Murray

As I’m sure you’re aware, today is Black Friday. Armies of Americans are now rushing out to malls and big box stores, waiting in lines, and wrestling with strangers for the best holiday deals. But to me, the event just isn’t worth it. I can get the same amazing prices at my local Goodwill retail stores while also avoiding the stress of enormous crowds, and still benefiting my local community!

READ MORE from Support Your Local Community By Spending Black Friday at Goodwill®

The relationships between the native inhabitants and European settlers eventually deteriorated with shameful and tragic results that cannot be overlooked. However, the snapshot of the period between the Pilgrims’ landing and that harvest feast is a story that teaches the value of partnership.

READ MORE from Thanksgiving’s Story of Partnership

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—the time for year-end performance reviews and goal-setting for 2015. If you’ve been feeling stalled in your current job, now is a great time to consider creating a career development plan to help you gain momentum through the next 12 months and beyond.

READ MORE from Get Your Boss on Board with Your Career Development Plan

Goodwill of Orange County recently celebrated its 90th anniversary with the help of legendary rock band The Beach Boys and actor John Stamos as guest drummer. The entertainers performed a full set for nearly 600 attendees at the beach-themed Goodwill Gala.

READ MORE from Santa Ana, CA, Goodwill Celebrates 90th Anniversary with the Beach Boys and John Stamos

After my stroke I lost a lot of confidence because you lose the ability to do a lot of things you were able to do before. Working at Goodwill has been good for my recovery. I have improved my physical abilities like walking and using my right hand. I hope to continue my recover and look forward to one day being able to work without my disability being a factor.

READ MORE from My Story: Steven Ikehara

Find out how a few simple find from your local Goodwill® store can help making this Thanksgiving a memorable one. Just like a bountiful Thanksgiving meal: at Goodwill, there truly is something for everyone!

READ MORE from Goodwill® Helps Make Thanksgiving Memories

Lawmakers briefly returned to Washington, DC, to wrap up lingering issues before the 114th Congress convenes in early January. The new Congress will not only bring new faces and changes to the country’s leadership, but a different set of priorities. As Goodwill® prepares to begin new relationships and strengthen old contacts, it is important that we focus on what our own priorities should be.

READ MORE from Take Action for the Upcoming Year

If you are interested in a career in education, you may ask yourself, ‘What kind of educator do I want to be?’, and, ‘Where do I begin?’ Answering these questions starts with understanding the education labor market as well as beginning to develop your career pathway.

READ MORE from Getting Started in Three Education Careers

Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire (Santa Rosa, CA) and Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) have joined forces in a partnership that benefits homeless and low-income children, youth and families.

READ MORE from GIRE, Social Advocates for Youth Partner to Help Local Teens