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.
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."
My Melmac plates and bowls get plenty of use, but I have stacks of adorable teacups that we constantly pass up in favor of sturdy mugs. It’s about time to start thinking creatively about how to put them to work, but my imagination wasn’t jump-started until I went over to my friend’s house and saw a holiday project she had been working on - turning teacups into candles!
READ MORE from DIY: Three Easy Craft Projects for Old Teacups
Last week, Speaker of the House John Boehner’s so-called “Plan B” failed to attract sufficient Republican support. Members of Congress soon headed home for the Christmas holiday with the nation’s economic future still in question. Will congressional leaders and President Obama find a way to agree to a deficit reduction deal that averts a plunge over the fiscal cliff? Or will we take that plunge? While the question about the fiscal cliff remains uncertain, Goodwill has been on the front lines since 1902, working to build stronger communities, and it will continue to urge Congress to protect investments that leverage Goodwill’s efforts to help people find jobs and advance in careers.
In 2013, keep your finances in order with the following tips to creatively stretch and save more of your paycheck. Whether this means simply being more informed or actively pre-planning an outing, you can squirrel away enough money by streamlining your spending to stretch your budget in 2013. Start the new year well by setting yourself up for success.
While the holidays seem to bring out the kid in people of all ages, the wide-eyed wonder and magic still belong to the little ones this time of year. Sadly, many families lack the financial resources to buy gifts — and sometimes even necessities like winter coats and shoes. Goodwill agencies like those below have stepped in to spread a little joy and warmth to those who need it most.
READ MORE from Goodwill and Donors Brighten the Holiday Through Giving
Life threw Remy a curve ball and she found herself an unemployed single mother. "I felt like a statistic," she says. With support from Goodwill, she made the job connection she needed to find successful employment working with people with disabilities.
