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.
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).
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.
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.”
READ MORE from National Disability Employment Awareness Month
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.
Halloween season is upon us again, which brings with it the perfect opportunity to poke fun at pop-culture moments or pay homage to favorite TV shows. It’s a holiday that even we adults can get into, get creative and embrace our silly side.
With a few hours to spare, Congress narrowly avoided shutting down the federal government after passing a continuing resolution to keep the government open until December 3rd. Lawmakers hope that the extension will given them ample time to pass the twelve appropriations bills, some of which have passed the House, but none have passed the Senate. Continuing resolutions have become the norm, with Congress enacting one or more in all but three of the last 44 fiscal years.
READ MORE from Shutdown Averted, But Congressional Showdown Continues
In May 2021, Carmela Allen found herself out of work and out of hope after the impact of her alcohol use led to a second touchpoint with jail and the loss of her Social Security Disability benefits. She didn’t have enough money to pay the bills and lacked the self-esteem she needed to find work in a new field. Everything had changed since she left her role as a nurse several years earlier.
