Category: The Goodwill Blog

In this social media driven world where we’re constantly sharing quick snapshots of our breakfast, daily commute, or kid’s antics, it can be easy to focus too much on taking the pictures and not enough on displaying or appreciating them. Our lives are on display online these days instead of on the walls, tables, and desks in our homes. But I really believe that’s something we all need to work on! Surrounding ourselves with pictures of loved ones and happy memories can help us all feel inspired and encouraged. So here are three unexpected ways to post pictures that can be enjoyed even without a Wi-Fi connection.

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With the passage of the funding agreement a few weeks ago, Congress in now beginning to work on the budget for fiscal year 2019 (FY19). They will start by making decisions on funding levels for many job-training and workforce development programs that many local Goodwill organizations use across the country.

READ MORE from The Time is NOW to Speak Out on the FY 2019 Budget

Ask Meri Tannehill what makes her happy and she’ll tell you, “Being a STAR!” and she means that in more ways than one!

READ MORE from My Story: Meri Tannehill

Just as organizations must evolve to meet changing technologies, employee needs and market demands, leaders must also be flexible and lead their organization through challenges and changes. Being an agile learner doesn't only apply to business. It can also lend itself well to the changing mission landscape and evolving workforce development needs.

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When taking control of your finances, it’s helpful to set financial goals to keep you on track and build your confidence—that is, as long as they’re achievable. A simple trick can help you develop goals that are a stretch, but won’t leave you feeling defeated. Goals that are S.M.A.R.T.—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely—lead to greater success.

READ MORE from Setting Smart Financial Goals

Oh, how I wish I could fill my home with fresh blooms all year-round. Every room just feels so cheerful and lively when there are flowers nearby! Well, even if we can’t have constantly refreshed vases on our tables and ever-blooming gardens outside our windows, there are still a lot of ways we can infuse our lives with some botanical beauty. Here are a few projects that thrifters around the country have completed to update their homes with floral finds…

READ MORE from Goodwill® in Bloom: Floral Finds for Spring

With negotiations, proclamations, Supreme Court declinations and twitterations, Immigration policy and budget talks are going into March like lions, but will they come out like lambs with resolution, or will this back and forth continue?

READ MORE from Of Lions and Lambs This March: Where Will Immigration Policy Go in the Next Month?

Bestselling author Seth Godin recently published a blog post about the loud noise in our heads. This noise is our inner monologue and, as Seth says, “It's the only voice that has seen everything we've seen, believes everything we believe. It's the noise that not only criticizes every action of every other person who disagrees with us, but it criticizes their motives as well. And, if we question it, it criticizes us as well.” There’s no doubt that this voice is powerful and sometimes overwhelming. It is the voice we follow when we take action, make decisions and lead. To be good and successful leaders, however, we must quiet our own inner noise and intentionally listen and pay closer attention to the experiences of others.

READ MORE from Empathy as a Key Leadership Skill

You’ve decided that you need a budget, but where do you start? It may seem overwhelming, but with a bit of planning, you can achieve your financial goals. Whether your goal is to be debt free, build up your emergency savings or save for the future, the first step in having extra money to put toward your goals is taking control of what you spend on a daily basis.

READ MORE from Conquer the Budget Beast with Planning and Rewards

There are a lot of reasons why you might not buy that amazing catalog or boutique piece you’re currently obsessed with: As an in-demand item, it could constantly be out-of-stock; perhaps you discovered it on Pinterest a season too late when it’s no longer for sale, or, simple enough, the price tag could just be too steep. Whatever your reasons, don’t forget that you can probably recreate your favorite trends using Goodwill finds.

READ MORE from Get the Look for Less: Recreating Trends with Goodwill® Finds

While Congress is still wrangling with budget and appropriations and passing legislation before focusing on the mid-term elections, state and local governments are hard at work as well, creating more opportunities to engage at the state level. Nearly every one of the nation’s Governors have provided their state of the state addresses to their constituents. Job creation and the skills gap was a major theme in all of the speeches, affirming that the important work of local Goodwills in providing job training and workforce development to those who face challenges to employment.

READ MORE from 2018 State of the States

At almost 60 years old, I was laid off after 15 years with my previous company. With no GED, college or technical training plus my severe health problems, I had trouble finding a new job. One day, I discovered that Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids had a technical training program that could lead to employment in a call center. I applied and was accepted into the program. I am now able to work from home 4 days a week, which helps limit movement and pain for my disability. Best of all, both my husband and I now have health insurance. I love my job, they care about me as a person and I have great co-workers. I am so thankful for how much my life has improved since discovering the training program at my local Goodwill. I never would have guessed things would have turned out so well.

READ MORE from My Story: Melissa Lambright