Azziale was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that required yearly corrective surgeries as an adolescent and caused circulation problems, partial blindness and limpness in one leg. She was also diagnosed with lupus and osteoporosis at age 17. Despite these challenges, Azziale graduated high school and completed a four-year registered nursing degree. When work as a home health nurse proved too stressful, she connected with Goodwill and learned medical and billing skills that enabled her to find work as a patient accounts representative.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
Community College Increases Career and Financial Prospects
Jeannie from Charleston, WV, asks, “I’m employed but my job doesn’t pay enough to keep up with my household expenses. How do I find out about training opportunities that can help me get into a job that pays higher wages?”
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My Story: Tyrone Coleman
Before coming to Goodwill, Tyrone had been out of work for almost two years -- he had exhausted his unemployment benefits and had depleted his 401(K) to pay for his house. Though he had a college degree, his skill set was out of date. Tyrone connected with Goodwill, who supported him in gaining multiple IT certifications. He now works full-time for the agency and is thankful to be able to provide for his family.
Congress’ Year-End Spending Agreement Includes Support for Programs Significant to Goodwill®
On December 17, the Senate voted 67-32 to approve a $915 billion “megabus” spending package. The bill provides $10.7 billion to the Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration (ETA), which administers several programs that support local Goodwill® agencies’ efforts to help people find jobs and advance in careers.
Find a Job if You Have a Criminal Background
Wes from Nashville, TN, asks, "I’ve been in prison for four years and have six months to go before I’m released. I’m already starting to worry about finding a job when I get out. How can I get back to work when even people with clean records and a great résumé are having trouble finding employment?"
Goodwill Program Gives Bikes to Needy Children, Job Training to Unemployed Workers
Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA teamed up with local organizations this month to provide more than 200 Augusta-area children with bicycles and helmets as part of the community’s annual ‘Santa Wheels’ program. Goodwill has been involved with the program since 2006, contributing 1,035 volunteer hours and distributing more than 600 bicycles to deserving children.
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My Story: Kristy Ballew
After being abandoned by her mother and losing her father, Kristy fell into a new family of friends that used drugs and alcohol. In and out of rehab houses, she made the choice to give her newborn twin girls up for adoption to give them a better life. She successfully completed rehab and got sober, and was referred to Goodwill after moving into a halfway house. Goodwill connected her to a permanent job that she loves and, in addition to being a mother to her son, she's now studying to take her GED with the goal of attending college to work in drug counseling.
Give the 12 Gifts of Goodwill This Holiday Season
As you're checking your lists and running errands these next few days, don't forget to make Goodwill one of your last-minute December shopping destinations. To make things easier for you, we've put together a list of 12 popular things you can find at Goodwill that are sure to make your holiday season even brighter.
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Simple Ways to Teach Kids about Giving at the Holidays
Most of us hope that our children understand the joy of giving, but with Santa and wish lists and presents, it’s challenging to shift kids away from the focus on receiving. Here are a few of my favorite ways to teach children about giving, and they might even learn some important organizing lessons along the way!
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Proposed Legislation Aims to Consolidate Federal Job Training Programs
African-American man participants in automotive job training programIn response to a January 2011 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), introduced the Streamlining Workforce Development Programs Act last week, which proposes to eliminate 33 existing training programs and consolidate them under four new workforce investment funds.
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Six Questions to Consider before Starting Your Own Business
June from San Francisco, CA, asks: "I have a job that doesn’t really challenge me. I have great ideas for a new business, but need help getting started. How would I begin to get this idea off the ground?"
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Goodwill® Helps Youth Set Education, Employment Goals
Female Goodwill staff member counsels female African-American youth.When given guidance and support, a young person can learn new skills, become a hard-working employee and succeed in life. That’s the philosophy of the Crossroads Reintegration Program at Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana (Shreveport). The program helps youth ages 12 to 21 with their personal growth and goals, assuring a smooth transition from secured placement facilities back into their homes and communities.
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