Category: The Goodwill Blog

As we approach Valentine’s Day, here are seven ideas of things to lovingly make for that special someone—even if that special someone is you! There is something magical that happens in us when we take even a moment to create something. As Psychologist & Harvard Professor Howard Gardner once said, “Creativity begins with an affinity for something.  It’s like falling in love.” Rock Star Lenny Kravitz also has his take on it when he said, “Love, creativity, and opportunity is in the air. Take it in and do your thing.” 

READ MORE from Fall in Love with 7 Easy & Fun Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Office closures and social distancing has not stopped Congress from their ability to conduct their business, nor should it preclude advocates from being able to engage with lawmakers and staff. In fact, it’s more important now that constituents be able to contact elected officials and share the impact that the pandemic is having on individuals, families, communities and employers. Check out these helpful tips on conducting remote advocacy.

READ MORE from Advocacy in the Time of Coronavirus

It’s that time of year again — the month of love is upon us. If you’re lucky enough to live with someone you *still like* after months and months of way-too-much-together-time, congratulations! WELL DONE! And, if not — congratulations to you too! We’ve all made it through a tough year and it’s time to show a little love to our significant others if we have them – and definitely to ourselves, too! So whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s or Galentine’s (or both!), Goodwill is the place to find all you need to show the love.

READ MORE from Be Mine, Quaran-tine!

As Fahad looks back on his life, hindsight is 2020. “When I was younger, I was uneducated, so I made mistakes,” he recalls. “I never put a lot of thought towards the things that I did. I was making mistake after mistake without even realizing I was making them, and it came back to bite me.”

READ MORE from My Story: Fahad

For many, the holiday season is a time for happiness and joy. The idea of giving gifts as well as celebrating with family and friends is commonplace. For some families, the holidays can be a harsh reminder of life’s more challenging moments. That's why the team at the Goodwill store in West Lafayette, IN, wanted to make a difference for a family experiencing challenges throughout the year.

READ MORE from West Lafayette Goodwill Team Spreads Joy During the Holiday Season

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, searching for a new job followed a strict and specific set of rules. One rule that seemed to be written in stone was that significant employment gaps — say six months or longer — were a red flag for recruiters. As with so many other things in our society, COVID-19 has changed that perception.

READ MORE from How to Navigate and Overcome Unemployment Gaps

If you haven’t yet heard of the Goodwill Date Night Challenge… then today is definitely your lucky day. It’s an excuse to get creative and playful with your favorite Goodwill shopping companion — be it your significant other, best friend or fur baby.

READ MORE from This Valentine’s Day, Take the Goodwill Date Night Challenge!

The year-end COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress extended a number of programs and supports through the middle of March 2021. Lawmakers are now negotiating the details of an additional relief measure before the deadline expires. Contact your members of Congress and ask that they provide #Relief4Charities.

READ MORE from #Relief4Charities in the New Congress

Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont, in partnership with three North Carolina Goodwill organizations, recently wrapped up their annual “Good Turn for Goodwill” community service partnership project. 

READ MORE from Girl Scouts Team Up with North Carolina Goodwills to Help Others

What is this, day four million of the pandemic? By now, most of us have settled into that new routine of working. The technical issues have been largely solved. We are fluent in Zoom and various work-flow software. Now what? How do we maintain our team spirit?

READ MORE from How to Build a Strong Team in a Virtual World

Although the holidays are over, the winter season has just begun! With the shorter days and colder nights, that means it’s time to stock up on winter apparel, cold-weather accessories and outdoor gear. Members of the retail staff at Goodwill of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago picked their favorite items for the snowy season.

READ MORE from 5 Fun Winter Essentials You Can Find at Goodwill!

I didn’t realize the weight of the emotions I have been carrying until the last few moments of President Biden’s inaugural remarks when the floodgates opened and I let out all of my tears. All of the negative feelings related to the pandemic, concern for family and friends battling COVID, living in isolation, the insurrection, social injustice, anxiety for friends living within the military zone established in DC conflated with the pride for our country, the joy of watching history being made, and the hope I have for our future.

READ MORE from Unity Through Opportunity and the Power of Work