Joan from Minneapolis, MN, asks, “I’ve been dreading tax season. I’m already having a tough time making ends meet, and now I probably have to pay a tax preparer and pay money to the IRS. Please help!”
READ MORE from Claim Tax Credits and Receive Free Tax Filing Assistance
An increasing number of Americans are using the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to honor Dr. King’s legacy by volunteering in their communities. The holiday takes place on January 21, 2013, this year, the same day as U.S. President Barack Obama’s second inauguration. Volunteers are using this day as ‘a day on, not a day off’ to address the needs in their communities and help create solutions to social problems. Local Goodwill® agencies are engaging volunteers on this day for a number of community service projects.
READ MORE from Goodwills to Engage Volunteers During Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Got a new gadget over the holidays? Maybe it’s a beautiful new iPod, phone, or camera… and maybe the boxes, instructions and accessories are all over your desk and counter tops! The second Monday in January is National Clean Off Your Desk Day, so let’s clear this gadget debris. No more empty boxes, drawers and bins full of old cords and cables, and no more files full of obsolete manuals. Here’s my seven-step checklist for making sure your gadget has the best possible life.
READ MORE from Seven Steps to Reduce Gadget Clutter and Enjoy Your Toys
Christopher had a desire to be independent and earn his own money, but his disability posed an obstacle in finding and maintaining long-term employment. After connecting with Goodwill, his confidence and attitude began to improve. He now believes in his potential and says, "Because I am successful at work, I feel better about myself."
Inside the Beltway, “compromise” has become a 4-letter word, resulting in ongoing gridlock and Congressional approval ratings at record lows. Especially with the economic recovery still fragile, important decisions – and indecisions for that matter – made during the new 113th Congress will have significant long-term implications.
READ MORE from Impending Policy Decisions Are More Important than Ever
Mike from Austin, TX, asks: "Someone at work told me I come off bad in meetings! I don't know what I'm doing wrong or how to fix it, and I don't want this to negatively impact my job. Help!"
Goodwill of North Georgia (Atlanta) recently held its first Veterans, Service and Leaders Summit, a half-day knowledge-sharing and information-gathering session for about 60 individuals, including representatives from veteran-serving organizations, Georgia elected officials and local veterans. The event aimed to strengthen and increase understanding of the resources that are currently available to veterans and their families, and surface areas where needs are still unmet through the newly created Veteran Leader Corps (VLC).
READ MORE from Atlanta Goodwill Co-Hosts Inaugural Summit for Veterans, Service and Leaders
Karl was struggling to find employment that would allow him to support himself and pay child support for his children. After connecting with Goodwill, he found the long-term job he needed. "I can take care of my kids. I am so proud," he says.
When I started thrifting, I was immediately drawn to the coats. The Goodwill® store that I frequented had a massive coat display, with everything from fur to leather to wool. The modern coats being sold in department stores really had lacked in quality, at least the ones I could afford, but here the coats were actually warm, made with real wool (not some synthetic fiber), and had all the style and originality -- maybe even a little more elevated! -- than what I was finding elsewhere.
READ MORE from Warm Up in Style with Affordable Winter Coats from Goodwill®
While Congress may have averted the fiscal cliff for now, the new Congress will have its work cut out for it with a number of diverse policy issues vying for attention. In the midst of these discussions, organizations like Goodwill continue to take advantage of opportunities to educate new members about our mission of providing job training and other community based programs to people with barriers to employment.
READ MORE from Goodwill® Previews Issues on the Public Policy Front in 2013
Louisa from Framingham, MA, asks, “I’ve decided that 2013 is the time to start getting serious about my job and career. I want to make some plans now before I start losing my motivation. What do you suggest?”
READ MORE from Four Resolutions to Make for Your Career in the New Year
After falling in with the wrong crowd, Michael ended up in prison for 22 months. When he was released, he was determined to make a chance. He connected with Goodwill in Indiana and now works as a team lead for cleaning and janitorial services at the local VA hospital. "I try to be positive and help people," Michael says. "I love my job and those around me."
