Category: The Goodwill Blog

Kellen from Portland, OR, asks"I'm just out of school and am getting ready to go on my first job interview. I'm struggling with what to wear."

READ MORE from What Not to Wear When Attending a Job Interview

Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes (London), is in the process of opening a new $3.6 million, 113,000-square-foot Centre for Social Enterprise and the Environment that will offer job training, provide new jobs and help reduce the amount of donations that go to landfills. The goal is to achieve ‘zero waste’ by lowering the current rate of 17 percent to less than 10 percent.

READ MORE from Ontario Goodwill Opens New Environmental Center to Achieve Goal of ‘Zero Waste’

Robert was struggling to take care of his family after his father's passing, when he was referred to Goodwill. After learning and succeeding at a variety of tasks, he rose to the position of dock attendant. "I really take pride in my work," he says.

READ MORE from My Story: Robert Johns

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has noted concerns that the skills gap makes it difficult for employers to fill jobs with qualified workers and that the more than 50 federal job training programs present a complicated maze for job seekers to navigate. In response to these concerns, Rep. Foxx has introduced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act, which proposes to eliminate 35 job training programs into a single one-size-fits-all block grant to states. Tell Congress to set aside old disagreements to build upon the strengths of existing programs to develop a broad workforce system that serves employers and businesses, serves people, and contributes to building stronger families and communities.

READ MORE from Tell Congress to Put Job Seekers' Needs above Partisan Differences

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has noted concerns that the skills gap makes it difficult for employers to fill jobs with qualified workers and that the more than 50 federal job training programs present a complicated maze for job seekers to navigate. In response to these concerns, Rep. Foxx has introduced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act, which proposes to eliminate 35 job training programs into a single one-size-fits-all block grant to states. Tell Congress to set aside old disagreements to build upon the strengths of existing programs to develop a broad workforce system that serves employers and businesses, serves people, and contributes to building stronger families and communities.

READ MORE from Tell Congress to Put Job Seekers’ Needs above Partisan Differences

People often joke with me as a professional organizer wondering if I can “fix” spouses and get them organized, but the truth is that I can’t. While I can certainly clear an area temporarily, I would not want to do it without someone’s permission. I also know that if a person doesn’t want to make changes to daily habits, the work will quickly become undone. Someone has to want to change and be ready before any kind of improvement program will work. Here are a couple of “typical” husband and wife zones that are excellent projects to start.

READ MORE from His-and-Hers Organizing: Can You Fix My Spouse?

Travis from Lincoln, NE, asks, “I feel like I'm living paycheck to paycheck and am having a really hard time figuring out areas where I can possibly save up some money for the future. What should I do?”

READ MORE from Nine Ways to Save $100 This Week

The Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (Dayton, OH) Rapid Employment Program, which operates out of space at a nearby homeless shelter, has helped 194 homeless men get back to work since its inception in October 2011. The program is part of the county's 10-Year Homeless Solutions Plan and has helped men find jobs ranging from cross country truck driving, to positions at McDonalds, in retail, in factories and as security guards.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Helps Homeless Men in Dayton Get Quickly Back to Work

I first came to Rappahannock Goodwill Industries because it was suggested to me by the manager of the homeless shelter where I was staying. I was a little skeptical at first, but I quickly learned that this was just the thing I needed to help me get ahead. I worked with the staff there to

READ MORE from My Story: Shana Gutierrez

A few winters ago, I learned how to knit. I went through a phase where my knitting needles were like my 11th and 12th fingers, but after that season, my enthusiasm mostly died out. I was stuck with a drawer full of thrifted yarn and no inclination to knit. As time passes, though, I have found myself reaching in that drawer with some pretty projects in mind. There’s a lot that can be done with this versatile material, even if you don’t knit. Here are some ideas.

READ MORE from Four Craft Projects You Can Make from Thrifted Yarn

As the nation slowly recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression and unemployment remains high, job training programs face a dual threat this year. Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents that job training is important to our economic recovery. At a time when unemployment remains high, these resources are an important part of the nation’s economic recovery and job creation effort.

READ MORE from Act Now to Protect Job Training Programs from Budget Cuts

Rebecca from Henderson, NV, asks, “I dig the company I work for, but my team not so much. A position recently became available in a different department – I have the skills and want to apply. How do I navigate this without upsetting my boss or risking my current job if it doesn’t work out?”

READ MORE from Five Tips to Consider When Applying for a Job Within the Same Company