The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. Just over 55 years ago, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. I've always enjoyed the process of voting, reflecting on the sacrifices people have made so I can exercise my right, chatting with neighbors from my community, thanking poll workers and campaign staff, and of course receiving my "I voted" sticker.
Category: Advocate
Deal or No Deal
Another week has passed, another 1.2 million Americans have filed for unemployment, another slew of businesses have shuttered their doors, and hundreds of thousands of people have tested positive for COVID-19 while another several thousand have lost their lives — and yet there is still no agreement on the next round of congressional relief for the nation. This process is frustrating and exhausting, but we cannot give up our pursuit.
Heroes or Healers – We Need #Relief4Charities
House Democrats passed the HEROES Act back in May as their opening bid in the next round of COVID-19 congressional relief. The title is short for Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act. Senate Republicans countered this week with the HEALS Act, short for Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools Act.
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The ADA Turns 30
This week marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education and public accommodations.
Support #Relief4Charities
Goodwill Industries International (GII) is proud to be a founding partner of the #Relief4Chairities coalition, which came together with a united front early on during the pandemic.
#Relief4Charities Week of Action
As lawmakers and staff are negotiating the details for the next COVID-19 relief package, Goodwill® and other nonprofits are teaming up for a #Relief4Charities Week of Action during the week of July 13.
It’s Time for a Real Infrastructure Week
Though it is frequently cited as a top priority for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, actually enacting a comprehensive plan to fix the nation’s crumbling infrastructure can sometimes seem like the elusive hope of an “infrastructure week” that has come and gone.
Urge Congress to Expand Charitable Giving
The pandemic and the economic downturn have severely damaged charitable giving in America. Despite a few bright spots and big headlines, the latest data shows a troubling decline in donations this year, with an 11 percent drop in March alone — a trend that would lead to $25 billion in lost revenue for nonprofits like Goodwill®.
Make Virtual Advocacy a Reality
Office closures and social distancing has not stopped Congress from their ability to conduct their business, and it should not prevent advocates from engaging 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.
Congress is Holding Hearings, But Are They Listening?
Since shortly after the pandemic began, a group of charitable nonprofits (including Goodwill®), recognized that many organizations will be in need of various forms of federal relief as they continue to provide critical services at a time when they had to cancel fundraisers, close businesses that provide mission revenue, and face delays in contract payments among other struggles. Hundreds of organizations have since joined the effort seeking #Relief4Charities.
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From Reflection to Action
For more than a century, we at Goodwill® have prided ourselves in our work and our mission to help people with perceived barriers to employment overcome their challenges and gain employment. We now need to challenge ourselves as a human service provider to not only help people who have struggled to find employment, but to actively work to remove systemic and institutional racism and other barriers that prevent people from having equal opportunities in the first place.
House Committee Examines Sobering COVID-19 Statistics
This week began with many observing service members on Memorial Day who gave the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. A few days later, we mourned the passing of more than 100,000 lives lost in America’s battle against COVID-19. These were disproportionately people of color, older Americans and people with pre-existing medical conditions — and they were so much more than a statistic.
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