Every time July 4 rolls around, I’m reminded of three things: American flag sunglasses, cakes decorated with berries and watching the sky burst with bright, patriotic colors as I nurse my most recent farmer’s tan. It’s also the time of year that reminds me that so much of what I’ve seen in thrift stores are products made in America as well as items that let us display our national pride.
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This week, members of Congress returned home to their states and districts for the July 4 holiday, a day which commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The document states that we have certain inalienable rights including life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; yet, more than 8 percent of the workforce lacks one of the tools needed to pursue happiness – a job.
READ MORE from The Pursuit of Happiness Starts with a Good Job
Pia from Santa Cruz, CA, asks, “I put in 110 percent at work and overtime almost every day and have reputation as a hard worker. Now that my kids are out for the summer, I’d like to be better and balancing my work time and family time. Any suggestions?"
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More than 100 teens from 29 parishes in north and central Louisiana got a little taste of reality during Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana’s (Shreveport) Reality City event. During the event, youth encountered real-life scenarios, including buying a car, renting or buying a house, applying for car insurance and health insurance, buying groceries and clothing, putting children in daycare, going to the doctor and more.
READ MORE from LA Teens Experience Life as Adults at Goodwill® Reality Event
After leaving a longtime janitorial position, Troy -- an Army veteran -- had a hard time finding another job and feared losing everything he had worked toward. He connected with Goodwill and learned valuable employment skills such as how to operate a cash register. He's now been employed with Goodwill for over a year and is happy with the new life he has build for himself.
With my closets bursting at the seams, I knew that I really needed some more storage for clothing, and I was going to have to be creative about where I was going to put that storage. I headed to my local Goodwill thrift store and, when I found this old buffet and dresser, I fell in love. I measured them and they were perfect. The only problem was they were really beat up.
READ MORE from A Tale of Two Dressers: How to Turn Thrift Furniture into Signature Pieces
Regardless of whether you support or oppose the Affordable Care Act / Obamacare/ health care reform or even understand the intricacies of the law and the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision, there is still one fact that remains the same – people need jobs.
READ MORE from Amid Health Care Reform Debate, Let’s Not Forget about Jobs
Regardless of whether you support or oppose the Affordable Care Act / Obamacare/ health care reform or even understand the intricacies of the law and the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision, there is still one fact that remains the same – people need jobs.
READ MORE from Amid Health Care Reform Debate, Let's Not Forget about Jobs
Leanne from Burlington, VT, asks, "I need to do community service to meet my high school requirement. Will this help me build my résumé?”
READ MORE from How to Include Volunteer Experience on Your Résumé
Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest (based in Spokane, WA) recently collected an estimated 256,000 pounds of televisions, computers, monitors and other household electronics -- more than they process in two months -- in a single day, thanks to a partnership with its regional NBC affiliate.
READ MORE from WA Goodwill Collects Two Months of E-Waste in a Single Day
Most of us live in shorts and t-shirts all summer long. After all, who wants to fuss with a complicated outfit when that mercury starts to rise? Novelty shorts are back in fashion, so get a little bit creative and head straight to the pants rack of your nearest Goodwill store to get started.
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The House is soon expected to mark up its version of the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations bill. The House seeks an overall price tag that is $7.7 billion less (5 percent) than the amount agreed to by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Under the circumstances, House appropriators may be tempted – as has been the case in years past – to put job training funding on the chopping block. Take action now by urging your representative to support job training programs that help put people back to work.
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