For 23 years, Karen Owens spent her life caring for others as an RN. She was proud to help those who were critically ill and support their families through difficult times. After being diagnosed with a psychological disability, Karen found the demands and stress of her job too difficult to continue. She decided to find an alternate path to make a fresh start for herself by going back to school for ultrasonography, and began taking computer courses at Goodwill Industries of Knoxville to help prepare for her return to college.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
Detroit Job Seekers ‘Get on the Bus’ to Work with Goodwill’s Help
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit is helping individuals throughout Metro Detroit overcome transportation-related employment challenges during the 4th consecutive year of its “Get on the Bus” campaign, taking place this month. Every $20 collected during the campaign enables a program participant to ride the bus to or from work, interviews or job training for at least a week. Donations also go towards providing aid to individuals in need of other employment-related transportation assistance, including gas cards and automobile repairs.
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Detroit Job Seekers 'Get on the Bus' to Work with Goodwill's Help
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit is helping individuals throughout Metro Detroit overcome transportation-related employment challenges during the 4th consecutive year of its “Get on the Bus” campaign, taking place this month. Every $20 collected during the campaign enables a program participant to ride the bus to or from work, interviews or job training for at least a week. Donations also go towards providing aid to individuals in need of other employment-related transportation assistance, including gas cards and automobile repairs.
READ MORE from Detroit Job Seekers 'Get on the Bus' to Work with Goodwill's Help
Host the Perfect Fall Dinner Party with Items from Goodwill
I’m Julia, a lifestyle blogger from New England, and I’m here today to show you how to host a fall themed dinner party with nearly everything purchased at my local Goodwill® stores in Maine. From setting the mood with the right music to setting a festive table with dinnerware from Goodwill, read on to check out my tips for making sure your party goes off without a hitch.
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Congress Continues Jobs Legislation, Funding Limbo
One week after President Obama’s American Jobs Act (S 1660) was blocked in the Senate, Democratic leaders have been working to dissect and move segments of the comprehensive mix of tax cuts and spending proposals. While the prospects for passing a jobs bill are bleak, Congress must also take up measures that could cause problems for existing job training programs. The future is also unclear for the bill that funds the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
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Tips for Finding a Job as an Older Worker
Diane in Ashtabula, OH, asks: "I recently read that the number of older people who want to work is greater than the number of available jobs, and that older workers who lose their jobs have a very hard time finding a new one. Like many people over the age of 50, I have a strong work ethic, maturity and the experience that employers need. My challenge is, how do I get employers to see the value of hiring me?"
Goodwill® Reunites Donated POW/MIA Bracelet with Soldier’s Family
Earlier this summer, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago store associate Sheila Anderson was processing jewelry donations at the agency’s South Elgin, IL, location when she found a bracelet. Engraved with a name, military rank, branch of service, a date, and a country, the bracelet struck Anderson as more than a regular ID bracelet. Read on to learn how online research led Goodwill to learn more about the bracelet's history and reunite the piece of jewelry with a family member of the soldier it commemorates.
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Goodwill® Reunites Donated POW/MIA Bracelet with Soldier's Family
Earlier this summer, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago store associate Sheila Anderson was processing jewelry donations at the agency’s South Elgin, IL, location when she found a bracelet. Engraved with a name, military rank, branch of service, a date, and a country, the bracelet struck Anderson as more than a regular ID bracelet. Read on to learn how online research led Goodwill to learn more about the bracelet's history and reunite the piece of jewelry with a family member of the soldier it commemorates.
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My Story: Sam Olmo
As a high school student, Sam participated in a work experience program with Goodwill that taught him valuable job skills. He continued to work with Goodwill after graduation, and his great work ethic earned him the position of team leader. An employee specialist at his local agency saw how hardworking Sam was and helped him advance in his career by connecting him with a position as a mail clerk at Medco. Sam says he now enjoys being able to provide for himself and his mother, and is proud of his newfound independence. Read on to hear Sam tell his story.
Stay Organized When Decorating for Halloween
Are you drowning in decorations? Trick-or-treat tripping you up? People are spending more time and money than ever decorating for Halloween. Consider whether you can cut back on the cobwebs and still get the same festive effect.
People with Disabilities Model Work-Ready Fashions at NY Goodwill® Show
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (Astoria) teamed up with the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities to stage a fashion show and seminar on what outfits are most appropriate for people to wear in their chosen careers. Individuals participating in Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), an annual event that pairs students and job seekers with disabilities with mentors to help them explore career opportunities, served as models for the event.
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Helping People Return to Work Remains a Priority for Goodwill®
On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, the American Jobs Act was defeated in the U.S. Senate after it failed to attract the 60 votes needed to conclude debate. At Goodwill®, we stand ready to work with the administration and Congress to put Americans back to work and is hopeful that some of the promising aspects of the act will move forward, including increasing employment opportunities for veterans, people who are long-term unemployed, low-income adults, individuals with disabilities and youth.
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