You want your gift to make a real difference, right? When you think about giving during this holiday season, take the time to understand how your donation can have the most impact. Here are some tips to help inform your holiday giving decisions, whether your donation is money, time or gently used goods.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
Find a Job by Putting a Creative Spin on Your Résumé
Tan from Muskegon, WI, asks "I've sought help on making sure my résumé contains the right information - now I want to make it look visually appealing so it stands out in the sea of résumés. Do you have any tips?"
READ MORE from Find a Job by Putting a Creative Spin on Your Résumé
Goodwill’s ‘goodChoice’ Program in VA Helps People Break Lending Cycles
To combat this cycle that often traps borrowers in debt due to predatory lending processes, Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia (Richmond) has partnered with the Virginia Credit Union and St. James Episcopal Church for almost two years now to offer an alternative to payday lending coupled with financial education and coaching. The program provides borrowers with a short-term loan that has many of the features of a payday loan—essentially a pay or cash advance—but with important distinctions aimed at helping borrowers transition away from a dependency on these high-cost alternative loans.
READ MORE from Goodwill’s ‘goodChoice’ Program in VA Helps People Break Lending Cycles
My Story: Pearline Haley
Pearline was two and half credits short of receiving her high school diploma when she connected with the Goodwill headquartered in Kalamazoo, MI. Thanks to their Life Guides program, she received the support she needed to be successful and return to school.
Ready, Set, Shop! Get Organized for Holiday Giving
Thanksgiving marks the big official start of the holiday shopping season. As a professional organizer, that always makes me worry a little, because clients have often hired me in the aftermath of the holiday season to help clear out what accumulated. I want people to be intentional and deliberate about what they are buying and giving, making sure they are not filling their own homes and the homes of their loved ones with clutter. Before the Black Friday frenzy starts, here are some strategies to save you time and money and prevent future clutter.
READ MORE from Ready, Set, Shop! Get Organized for Holiday Giving
All Eyes on Washington as Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Begin
As President Obama and Congressional leaders meet for the first time tomorrow to begin negotiations about avoiding the fiscal cliff — the combination of spending cuts and tax increases that will go into effect in 2013 if Congress does not act to avert them — Goodwill Industries International is monitoring the developments to see how key workforce programs and other services that support people we serve fare in the proposed solutions.
READ MORE from All Eyes on Washington as Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Begin
Advice for Parents Whose Children Want to Drop Out of School
Ruthie from Cheyenne, WY, asks, "I'm a single mother, and my 16-year-old son recently told me he wants to drop out of high school. I'm devastated. Do you have any information about the importance of high school diplomas that might persuade him, or any other resources that might help keep him in school?"
READ MORE from Advice for Parents Whose Children Want to Drop Out of School
New York Goodwill Supports Recovery Following Hurricane Sandy
In the weeks following Hurricane Sandy, Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, headquartered in Astoria, NY, has rallied to support local relief efforts. The agency is working with New York radio station WPLJ and Modell’s Sporting Goods Stores to collect goods in over 90 store locations and distribute much needed clothing throughout the Greater New York and New Jersey area. The NY/NJ Goodwill is also working with United Way and other organizations and shelters throughout the Northeast to receive and distribute much-needed items such as temporary mattresses, blankets, and basic survival items including water and blankets.
READ MORE from New York Goodwill Supports Recovery Following Hurricane Sandy
My Story: Laura Walling
When Laura landed a job at Goodwill's leadership office out of graduate school, she was excited to be able to advocate on behalf of Goodwill and the people it serves. "I know our democracy works, and I've seen firsthand how the collective voice of supporters can influence policymakers," Laura says. "I am honored to be one of our loudest voices."
For Vets with PTSD, Finding the Right Job is Key
Sean from Houston asks, “I separated from the military three months ago, and am searching for my first civilian job. I experience PTSD from my time in Afghanistan, and it could impact my work occasionally. How should I bring this up with an employer? I want to be honest, but don’t want to risk not getting hired.”
READ MORE from For Vets with PTSD, Finding the Right Job is Key
What Election Results Could Mean for Goodwill®
With the election behind us, Beltway insiders are spending the week trying to understand what happened, why, and how it will shape the legislative landscape. This year, despite the expenditure of about $1 billion and a lot of talk about voter dissatisfaction, the post-election landscape looks pretty much as it did before election night. So what does this all mean for Goodwill?
READ MORE from What Election Results Could Mean for Goodwill®
Recreate a Fashion Trend — the Asymmetrical Skirt
Just as there are numerous fashion looks each season that can be thoroughly replicated with vintage pieces, there are also styles that can be recreated with a few simple DIY steps. Check any women’s section of a fast fashion retail store right now and I guarantee you’ll find more than one version of the
READ MORE from Recreate a Fashion Trend — the Asymmetrical Skirt
