Category: The Goodwill Blog

For more than 60 years, local Goodwill organizations have celebrated Goodwill Week during the first full week of May to raise awareness of our critical mission of getting people who have lost jobs back to work. Your support is essential to this work. When you donate, shop, volunteer or advocate in support of Goodwill, you are helping us provide people with the training and support they need to find jobs, advance in their careers and thrive.

READ MORE from This Goodwill® Week, Join Us in Rising Together™

When Ceylin Brooks decided to leave the Air Force after serving for six years, she moved from the Hurlburt Field Air Force installation in Northwest Florida to Tampa. The transition to civilian life was a little difficult, especially when it came to looking for a job.

READ MORE from My Story: Ceylin Brooks

In Tucson, the team at Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona has been operating programs for individuals who have been involved with the justice system since 2012. Since that time, more than 500 individuals reentering the community have received services to address their many and varied needs.

READ MORE from Tucson-Based Goodwill Partners with Tribal Communities to Support Justice-Involved Individuals

President Biden used his address to a joint session of Congress to outline his vision for the American Families Plan. After signing the American Rescue Plan Act in March, the President unveiled an outline for the American Jobs Plan, a $2.3 trillion jobs and infrastructure proposal, which we outlined last month and would make major investments in the workforce system. The American Families Plan is the final piece of the three-part Build Back Better agenda. 

READ MORE from Biden Unveils the American Families Plan

Throughout the pandemic, social justice issues have continued to come to the forefront as a result of police brutality against people of color. That's why Goodwill of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago has amplified its efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion. 

READ MORE from In Wisconsin, Goodwill Works to Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Last year, the Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program was filled with many challenges. But the pandemic also brought a few unexpected opportunities.

READ MORE from In Michigan, Goodwill’s CNA Training Program Goes Hybrid

While stores and donation sites closed during the pandemic, Goodwill of Orange County redeployed its truck drivers, trucks, trailers and even warehouse space to aid in critically needed food distribution across the county.

READ MORE from In California, Goodwill of Orange County Distributes Food During Pandemic

Mary Strickland’s difficulties with mental health began after high school. In 2007, she was a student at the local university working on a bachelor’s degree at the age of 18. Then, one day, she stopped going to class. Suddenly, she was too tired and worn out to even get dressed and drive. In 2010, she

READ MORE from My Story: Mary Strickland

Because of the impact of COVID-19 to the community as a whole, Goodwill Industries of Kansas added the manufacturing of face coverings to its production capabilities to supply frontline workers with critically needed PPE.

READ MORE from Kansas-Based Goodwill Manufactures Masks for Essential Workers

Since the pandemic began, volunteer placements at Goodwill Industries of Alberta (Canada) are in a holding pattern or they’ve been outright cancelled. This left many people within the Goodwill's Career Connections division without a place to contribute in the community. The Goodwill’s job development team took this challenge head-on and created “The Goodwill Volunteer Hub.”

READ MORE from Albertans Assemble Goodwill Kits for Good

In Dayton, OH, Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley is working to help young adults who have been involved with the justice system train for and earn employment.

READ MORE from Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley Reaches Justice-Involved Young Adults Amid Pandemic

There have been a lot of lessons learned this past year - including those that relate to the importance of making the most out of one’s space. With the exception of cleaning supplies and PPE, the “less is more” mentality has been in full swing as we spent most of our time at home. We wore less makeup, fewer pants, shoes, and purses. What this all means, is that you’re only wearing about 25% of your closet and the rest of the items in there are simply taking up space.

READ MORE from How To Create The Ultimate Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe This Spring