Category: The Goodwill Blog

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.

READ MORE from My Story: Darrell Hughes

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:

• Approximately $2.6 billion for the Workforce Investment Act’s Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Workers funding streams
• $100 million for a Workforce Innovation Fund, a decrease compared to approximately $124 million in FY 2011
• Nearly $450 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the same amount provided in FY 2011
• More than $3.1 billion for vocational rehabilitation grants to states, an increase from nearly $3.1 billion in FY 2011
• Sufficient funds to maintain the maximum Pell grant award at $5,550.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Urges Smart Investments on the Jobs Front

In 2009, after watching a string of teenagers who committed criminal activities come through his courtroom, St. Louis, MO, Juvenile Court Judge Jimmie Edwards took action. Along with MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries and St. Louis Public Schools, he founded the Innovative Concept Academy, a school dedicated to addressing the needs of students at risk of delinquency. Edwards has been selected by the editors of People magazine as a finalist for the publication’s 2011 People Readers’ Choice Hero campaign based on his work with the academy. The winner of the campaign, determined by public vote, will receive $10,000 to use for his or her charitable cause.

READ MORE from Goodwill®-Affiliated Judge Named Finalist in 'People' Magazine Contest

In 2009, after watching a string of teenagers who committed criminal activities come through his courtroom, St. Louis, MO, Juvenile Court Judge Jimmie Edwards took action. Along with MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries and St. Louis Public Schools, he founded the Innovative Concept Academy, a school dedicated to addressing the needs of students at risk of delinquency. Edwards has been selected by the editors of People magazine as a finalist for the publication’s 2011 People Readers’ Choice Hero campaign based on his work with the academy. The winner of the campaign, determined by public vote, will receive $10,000 to use for his or her charitable cause.

READ MORE from Goodwill®-Affiliated Judge Named Finalist in ‘People’ Magazine Contest

The weather is cooler, school is back in session, and thoughts are turning to the end of the year. So, what should you be thinking about for organizing your home and life during the fall? This month, Lorie discusses: the seasonal switcheroo; regrouping in the garage; and, harmonizing your home office.

READ MORE from Three Easy Organization Projects for a Fall Weekend

If you’re considering a new job or a new career, you’re likely asking yourself questions like “Do I have the skills to succeed in this field?,” “Is this job a good fit for my personality?” and “What do I need to know before diving in?” Goodwill’s free online career mentoring platform GoodProspects℠ can help you explore your opportunities in a variety of fields to determine if the job you’re looking for is right for you. After registering on the site, you gain access to valuable advice and guidance from Goodwill career coaches, and have the opportunity to interact with other online job seekers going through the same experience you are.

READ MORE from Explore Your Next Job with Free Online Career Coaching

Sherry GordonWhen you’re facing challenges finding a job, talking to people who’ve been in your shoes and found success can give you the encouragement you need to keep your head up during the tough times. In late 2009, we launched Goodwill’s “My Story” series, giving job seekers coming to our page the chance to hear and read the first-person stories of people who have improved their lives through the Goodwill job training, career placement and volunteer programs your donations help support. Almost two years later, we are honored to share our 100th story on the site.

READ MORE from Back to Work: 100 Job Seekers, Volunteers Share Their Goodwill® Success Stories

Last year, Edward Robinson didn't have a job and found himself living on the streets. He was recovering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol; even though he had gotten clean and sober, he felt like he had nowhere to go. After being referred to Goodwill through rehabilitation services, Edward gained not only a job, but the opportunity to get his life back on track. Staff at Goodwill worked with Edward to help him achieve what he wanted in life and kept him working. He says his biggest accomplishment is finding an apartment to live in, and he looks forward to helping other people who are currently struggling to succeed.

READ MORE from My Story: Edward Robinson

For some job hunters, finding affordable business attire to wear to interviews can put a strain on already-tight budgets. Goodwill® agencies in the Greater Washington-Baltimore region and Pennsylvania are helping area job seekers dress for success, thanks to a regional clothing drive partnership with ZIPS Dry Cleaners. Called Will2Work, the partnership aims to collect donated suits, dresses, blouses and slacks that adults from disadvantaged backgrounds can wear to job interviews or to the office once they are hired.

READ MORE from Job Seekers Dress for Interview Success with Goodwill’s Support

Volunteers demonstrate a variety of skills when lending their time to an organization, including the ability to communicate, make decisions, lead and consider how actions impact communities both locally and globally. Listing volunteer experience on your résumé can make the case to an employer that you have the skills needed to complete the job if you don’t have an extensive work history or are switching career fields. With a lot of well-qualified people competing for the same job, talking up your volunteer efforts can also help you stand out in a crowd of people who may have similar education and work histories.

READ MORE from Looking for a Job? Leverage Your Volunteer Work

During President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on September 9, 2011, he referenced the American Jobs Act (AJA), and then delivered it to Capitol Hill requesting swift passage. As one of the largest nonprofit job training providers in the country, Goodwill stands ready to support the administration and Congress in efforts to put Americans back to work. Given staggering unemployment levels and alarming recently released 2010 Census data that reveals 2.6 million more Americans fell into poverty, we believe the time to act on a jobs bill is now.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Finds Promise in American Jobs Act