Long-time friends Dwight Murphy and Bobby Bowers, both 23, dream of being in the music industry. They are realistic enough to know that they need to make a living while they pursue that dream, and turned to Goodwill of the Big Bend’s Career Training Center to explore their options.
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Goodwill Industries® is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s NDEAM theme is, “Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities.” For decades, Goodwill® agencies have trained and hired people with disabilities. Goodwill provided employment training and job services to more than 240,000 individuals with disabilities last year. people with disabilities, including youth, older workers, and military veterans. While more employers should recognize the value of hiring people with disabilities, Congress can also do more to increase their employment opportunities.
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Jeff in Bethesda, MD. asks "My niece was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was little. She’s 26 now and wants to start looking for a job. What can I do to help her?"
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Leslie Hudson and Christall Peavy committed to earning their high school diplomas. So pride in their own accomplishments was evident when the two Florida women, who recently earned their diplomas from Goodwill Industries Big Bend’s Career Training Center, were interviewed for the Panama City News Herald. “Now that I have a high school diploma, a lot of doors are opened to me,” said Hudson, 31, and the mother of three.
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Before learning about supports in her community, Nicole and her daughter were living in a foreclosed home with no running water or gas for over six months. She drove an unreliable vehicle with no working brake lights, a trunk that wouldn't latch and which wouldn't go more than 35 mph. After eventually finding employment with the YMCA, Nicole was referred to Goodwill's Workers on Wheels program. She received a donated car and now feels grateful that she has a safe and dependable means of transportation to go to work and to take her daughter to school. Thanks to support from Goodwill and the YMCA, Nicole is currently pursuing a college degree and has also been able to find a stable home for her and her daughter.
In order to get the highest return on investment, Goodwill® knows that businesses need to hire the right workers. Employees with disabilities represent skilled workers in all industries, who are capable of confronting challenges and solving problems, and are receiving the training that modern businesses require. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month and beyond, Goodwill Industries International encourages the public and private sectors to hire applicants with disabilities and benefit from the unique talents they bring to the workplace. For decades, Goodwill agencies throughout North America have trained and hired people with disabilities to work in Goodwill stores, donation centers and career centers as well as in emerging fields outside of Goodwill including healthcare, green industries and financial services. Read on to learn about two people with disabilities who are succeeding in the workforce with support from Goodwill.
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Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to a Senate-passed spending measure that provides temporary funding for the upcoming fiscal year through October 4. Congress must pass another continuing resolution (expected to be good through November 18) before the October 4 deadline. But we are far from being out of the woods. Congress has yet to pass any of its 12 annual spending bills. Such short- and long-term uncertainty will make it even more difficult during these difficult economic times for community-based organizations like Goodwill to develop and implement sustainable strategies that help people with employment challenges find jobs and advance in their careers. While Goodwill’s self-sustaining social enterprise generates the bulk of the funds Goodwill invests in the communities it serves nationwide, federal funds:
In today’s tough job market, you must do all that you can to stand out. Many times, job seekers make their first mistake by not properly completing the job application. From dressing appropriately when you pick up or drop off the application, to completing the application completely and accurately, to getting permission from your references, there are several steps you can take to stand out in the crowd when applying for your next job.
Jeff Brewer, a program participant at Goodwill Columbus (OH), was recently named the agency’s first “Extraordinary Person of the Year” at an agency luncheon. Following the loss of both of his parents, Brewer, who has developmental disabilities, worked diligently to qualify for the 2011 Special Olympics World Games. With the support of Goodwill Columbus athletic programs and staff members, Brewer traveled to Athens, Greece, this summer to represent the U.S.A. in global track and field events. He took home a gold medal after placing first in the 400-meter dash, achieving his best personal time of 1:01 and becoming a world champion in the process.
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Jeff Brewer, a program participant at Goodwill Columbus (OH), was recently named the agency’s first “Extraordinary Person of the Year” at an agency luncheon. Following the loss of both of his parents, Brewer, who has developmental disabilities, worked diligently to qualify for the 2011 Special Olympics World Games. With the support of Goodwill Columbus athletic programs and staff members, Brewer traveled to Athens, Greece, this summer to represent the U.S.A. in global track and field events. He took home a gold medal after placing first in the 400-meter dash, achieving his best personal time of 1:01 and becoming a world champion in the process.
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Before coming to Goodwill, Darrell was in a drug court program where he had to attend mandatory drug screens and sure that he was on time for all of his appointments. Ninety days into the program, a counselor told him about Goodwill and the services that could help him get back on his feet. He joined the Goodwill's Access to Recovery program, which provided him with free counseling services and other work supports like bus tokens. Thanks to his own resolve and the support of Goodwill, Darrell has been sober for more than three years, and holds a paying job that allows him to provide for his family.
In the midst of the wrangling taking place over temporary spending for FY 2012, U.S. House of Representatives and Senate committees that have jurisdiction over final FY 2012 spending measures are working on their respective bills. On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill to provide FY 2012 funding for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education. That bill proposes to provide $158 billion in discretionary funding for a wide range of programs including several programs that support local Goodwill agencies’ efforts to help people find jobs and advance in careers. The Senate FY 2012 Labor, HHS, Education bill would provide:
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