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.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
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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My Story: Joanna McVicker
After getting kicked in the head by a horse at the age of four, Joanna incurred a life-long brain injury that affects the way in which she retains and processes information. After high school, she experienced difficulty finding and maintaining a job. In 2010, Joanna was referred to Goodwill, who invited her into its Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program. After building her vocational and cognitive skills, Joanna was able to find a job that she enjoys and feel empowered for the first time in her life.
Goodwill® Announces 2012 Public Policy Priorities
U.S. Capitol BuildingWhile election-year politics are expected to dominate the 2012 congressional session, a number of issues that Goodwill® cares about are likely to be up for discussion by Congress next year. In anticipation of these conversations, Goodwill has released its official public policy agenda for 2012.
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Keep Stress Down and Spirits High This Holiday Season
Monica from Huntsville, AL, asks, "I'm working extra through the holiday season, but I want to be there for my family, too. Any tips for keeping the holiday spirit without stressing out too much?"
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Detroit Goodwill® Helps Single Mothers Write Stories of Success
In Michigan, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Beyond Jobs program is modeled after the agency’s nationally recognized Flip the Script program. An empowerment program with a philosophy that each individual deserves a second chance, Flip the Script gives participants the opportunity to change their life stories. Negative beginnings need not result in negative endings.
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My Story: Tounta Adams
Unable to find work or a place to live, Tounta Adams moved her husband and children in with her parents. She didn't know how she was going to support her family and prayed nightly to find a solution to her situation. Welfare services referred her to Goodwill who hooked her up with transportation and clothing vouchers, and diapers. She enrolled in the agency's community job program and is now a proud Goodwill employee who is on track to getting her own place to live again.
Goodwill® Educates Donors, Congress on Charitable Giving This Holiday Season
During the economic downturn of the past few years, charitable donations have decreased dramatically across the nonprofit sector, with some leaders predicting it will it take charities six years to return to where they were financially in 2007. Further reductions in these donations will reduce nonprofits’ ability to serve the individuals and families who rely on them for job training and other critical community-based services. With one month remaining in the 2011 tax year, Goodwill® is empowering donors like you to make informed decisions about where you donate, and urging Congress to protect charitable giving incentives that ensure you continue to receive a deduction for your contributions.
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