Category: The Goodwill Blog

For many American workers, participation in an apprenticeship program offers an invaluable pathway to a rewarding career with good wages. Local Goodwill® organizations have a long history of partnering with employers and community colleges to facilitate innovative apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. These structured earn-and-learn models combine occupational training, classroom instruction, access to support services, and opportunities for paid work experience with employers that prepare program participants, particularly those facing barriers to employment, for long-term career success.

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From the minister who hired individuals to mend, and repair used goods, to the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line to protect the freedom, democracy, rights, and privileges of our great country, these individuals are an integral part to a community’s ability to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Within this group, is Kevin Ricksy.

READ MORE from My Story: Kevin Ricksy

Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the service and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and military family members. President Joe Biden recently signed a proclamation designating November as National Veterans and Military Families Month. “To those who serve and those that serve alongside them — their families and caregivers — we owe a debt we can never fully repay,” said Biden. “We as a nation have a sacred obligation to properly equip and prepare our troops when we send them in to harm’s way and to support them and their families, both while they are deployed and when they return home.”

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For some teenagers with disabilities, it can be hard to stay motivated throughout high school, especially if they’re unsure what comes next. Essex High School in Vermont’s Employment Program gives students who have a disability a chance to be a part of the workforce while still in school. Goodwill stores are one of the places these students try out different jobs.

READ MORE from 15 Years of Helping Teens with Disabilities Find Jobs in Vermont

Final passage of the bipartisan infrastructure framework and House passage of the Build Back Better reconciliation bill appear to be in sight — at least at the time of this writing. If the House passes the bipartisan infrastructure bill without any changes, it will head to the President for his signature.

READ MORE from Momentum for Build Back Better is Still Building

While considered an “off” year, every election is important and provides an opportunity to be an active participant in our democracy.  This year, New Jersey and Virginia will hold regularly scheduled elections for governor.  Other state executive offices up for election include lieutenant gubernatorial seats and an attorney general seat.  Including down-ballot races, there are seven state executive offices up for election across four states in 2021.

READ MORE from Are you #VoteReady?

It’s music to my ears when someone starts a conversation with “hey, can we go thrift shopping?” I get excited about all the possibilities that might be found searching through the racks at my favorite Goodwill store, and while I love shopping by myself, it’s equally satisfying to find some real treasure on the racks and turn to a friend standing nearby to show off the big find.

READ MORE from How to Make “Thrift Shop” Your Ultimate Halloween Costume

There has been a lot of activity on the Hill and at the White House this week and the triangular negotiations on the reconciliation bill continue between progressive Democrats, moderate Democrats, and leadership (including President Biden).

READ MORE from Washington Whiplash

It’s finally spooky season! My Brooklyn neighborhood is already starting to go all out with outdoor Halloween decorations. Spiderwebs and giant spiders line gates between stoops and skeletons and pumpkins are out on every street. I love the way people find the fun in decorating and bringing the community together.

READ MORE from How To DIY Spooky Ghost Candles with Thrifted Home Goods from Goodwill

Based on the book by Kristin Hannah, the Firefly Lane TV series took the Netflix world by storm with a story of a deep friendship between two women, following them from their teenage years into adulthood. The story takes place flipping between different points in their lives, giving insight into their personalities and friendship through different poignant stories.

READ MORE from Recreate Kate and Tully’s Looks from Firefly Lane This Halloween With The Help of Goodwill

Goodwill Industries International is proud to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).  In his Presidential Proclamation, President Biden stated that NDEAM provides a chance for us to recommit ourselves to dismantling barriers to access and inclusion in the workplace. As the President observed, “people with disabilities are still too often marginalized and denied access to the American dream. . . The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these inequities, as people with disabilities have faced heightened risks.”

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Another crisis has been temporarily averted by Congress…for now. After a weeks-long standoff on the debt limit, the Senate passed a short-term measure that increased the ceiling by $480 billion, which will last until early December.

READ MORE from Debt Ceiling Drama