Category: The Goodwill Blog

Last month, recent high school graduates pursuing health care careers received a certification for completing the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training program run by Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (Long Beach, CA). The Long Beach Unified School District collaborated with Long Beach Goodwill last year to start healthcare academy programs involving three different high schools. The academies provide a career path for low-income students who do not necessarily have college plans, but demonstrate an interest in working in the health care field. If students successfully complete their high school’s academy, they are eligible to enroll in the Goodwill CNA program, free of charge.

READ MORE from First Class of Long Beach High School Students Graduate from CNA Program

When it comes to buying vintage at a reasonable price, you can’t do better than Goodwill®. Although antique shops and curated secondhand stores may be more obvious places to browse when you’ve got vintage on your mind, their for-profit markups can be disappointing. Goodwill’s mission, on the other hand, is not to make a profit, but to better the local community. That means you will be able to get much more bang for your buck when shopping at Goodwill (and you can feel good about your purchases, too)!

READ MORE from Vintage Goodwill® Finds: The Possibilities Are Endless

Congress comes back from the month-long August recess with a plate full of business and barely a month to finish before the end of the fiscal year on October 1. Here's a look at the key issues Goodwill is keeping an eye on.

READ MORE from Congress Returns With Much To Do and Little Time

Keith from Milford, CT, asks, “I’ve been trying to do everything myself for long enough, and I’ve finally accepted that I need to learn to delegate certain tasks. How can I make sure the person does a good job?”

READ MORE from How to Delegate: ‘Let It Go’ with These Six Steps

The state of Nebraska has employed the assistance of Nebraska Goodwill agencies for a new four-year state pilot program called GoodHire. Through the initiative, employers will receive up to $4,000 of a workers wages for the first six months of employment if the individual receives welfare benefits. Funding for GoodHire comes from state grants through the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, also part of federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

READ MORE from In NE, Goodwill and DHHS Partner to Place Unemployed Workers in Jobs

For those with a creative spirit, Goodwill® is so much more than just a thrift store; it’s a supply shop! Anyone with an artsy disposition will walk through the aisles and see not just cast-off clothing and housewares, but hundreds of possibilities!

READ MORE from Taking Thrift Shop Basics from Bland to Bold

The sad facts are that the United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world, with approximately 2.3 million people in prisons or jails. Of the 700,000 people who are released from prison each year, approximately two-thirds will return within three years of their release. In response to these disturbing statistics, Congress enacted the Second Chance Act in 2008, which is up for reauthorization this year, to establish and shape programs that aim to help returning prisoners successfully transition back into and positively contribute to society.

READ MORE from Urge Congress to Renew Programs That Reduce Recidivism

Joe from San Francisco, CA, asks, "I just got a new job and will be taking the bus to work. When the bus is supposed to show up and actually shows up are completely different — it can be really unpredictable, and I'm worried I may be late occasionally. How should I address this with my boss?"

READ MORE from Don’t Let Public Transportation Delays Ruin Your Day — Or Your Career!

Goodwill Keystone Area (Harrisburg) offers local residents the opportunity to eat healthy, locally grown produce while supporting the Goodwill® mission through Goodwill at Homefields Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in the heart of Millersville, PA.

READ MORE from Harrisburg Goodwill’s Homefields Farm Provides Valuable Services to Local Community

At Goodwill, I learned to come to work on time and work on my reading skills. In 2010, I got a job working at U.S. Security, and now I am doing security work at many locations. I love my job. I am very happy. I am more serious and motivated and a good role model for my four-year-old son.

READ MORE from My Story – Ryan Barleston

Whether you are enrolled in grad school or your little one is heading off to kindergarten, thrift shopping for your back-to-school needs is the best way to stick to a budget and prepare yourself for the year ahead. While you are out shopping at Goodwill® this month, know that its Community College/Career Collaboration (in partnership with local community colleges) will help increase college and career success for adults with low incomes so that they can access and complete labor market-relevant credentialing programs offered by community colleges.

READ MORE from Back-to-School Buys for Every Age

“The workplace and skills that are needed has been changing rapidly. I was very intrigued by the partnership between community programs, technical colleges and businesses that you’ve developed. I’m so eager to hear from you today," said Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) upon visiting Goodwill/Easter Seals of Minnesota's construction and automotive training facility.

READ MORE from MN Senators Get a Front-row Seat to the Goodwill® Mission