Find My Goodwill

My Story: Amy Ofenbeck

Smiling woman with short light-brown hair and glasses sits at a desk with computer monitors in a lab-like office.

Amy Ofenbeck had a promising career as a television news anchor when she first moved to Southwest Florida. But those dreams were put on hold in 1997, when she suffered a grade-five brain aneurysm. She was just 26 years old.

3 Easy DIYs for Halloween Party Décor

Friendly cartoon ghost drawn on a white round surface inside a fridge.

So you want to host a killer Halloween party, but your lack of funds and space (hello, dorm room!) make party store purchases a pipe dream. No worries! We’ve got three easy DIY projects for you today that you can tackle in between classes with little more than a trip to Goodwill and a few arts and crafts basics.

Haven’t Registered to Vote? It’s Not Too Late

Diverse group of adults gathered near a voting booth, with an American flag in the background.

On November 8, voters will decide who fills 5,920 state legislative seats in 93 statewide offices, including 12 governors, 10 attorney generals, and the secretary of state in 8 states. The outcome of every single one of these elections will have an outcome on America’s nonprofits and the people we serve.

Tell Congress, That’s No Way to Run a Railroad

U.S. Capitol dome with neoclassical facade under a bright blue sky.

The saying referenced in today’s headline dates back to 1932, though few remember that it originally appeared in a comic book. If you were born that year you would be 84 years old today, and you might still be working according to the latest data. By 2020, it is estimated that workers 55 and over will make up 25 percent of the U.S. civilian labor force, up from 13 percent in 2000.

My Story: Pablo Gaxiola

Smiling man in a green plaid shirt sits in a chair against a blue wall with a red diagonal panel and yellow stripe.

My name is Pablo Gaxiola. On August 7, 2014, I began the journey that has changed my life. Goodwill of Silicon Valley (San Jose, CA) invited me to attend an orientation for the New Opportunity Work (NOW) program. I came in unsure of what was going to happen with only the smallest bit of hope that something would change. After an initial assessment and orientation I was given a job as an administrative clerk, utilizing experience and skills I learned from spending 15 years in prison.

Sneaky Storage Solutions

Cozy living room with a wood-burning stove, gray sofa, red armchair, and a wooden coffee table.

Whether you are settling into a new dorm room for the school year, an apartment post-graduation, or just trying to make better use of the space in your long-time home, this post is for you. A cluttered environment can take a toll on your happiness by impeding your ability to truly relax. So, with a […]

SNAP into Action Against Hunger

Blurred view of a grocery store aisle with shelves stocked on both sides.

This September is Hunger Action Month, and our friends at Feeding America are working to call attention to hunger, which impacts 48 million people – including 15 million children, in the United States. Organizations like Goodwill understand that food security and nutrition are inseparable from education and career success – families, individuals and children who are struggling to meet their nutrition needs are less prepared to succeed at work and at school. Communities across the country are trying to sustain those in need, and a critical resource in that effort is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a fundamental program for low-income individuals and families, SNAP provides millions with nutrition assistance. However, something has been changing with this critical program.

Backyard on a Budget

A group of friends dining outdoors under a large tree at dusk, sharing a toast.

It’s crazy to me that Labor Day is this weekend! As the unofficial end of summer, I really hate to see this holiday arrive. However, it’s also a wonderful reminder to soak up some sun while that’s still a comfortable option. Seeing as summer doesn’t officially end for a few more weeks (and fall is actually a really lovely season to spend time outside!), I’d say it’s still okay to invest a little time and energy into one last warm-weather hoorah with a few budget-friendly backyard purchases.

Spread Awareness About the Importance of Job Training

Circular yellow badge with laptop and checkmark on burlap background, promoting Goodwill's Labor of Love pledge.

Imagine if a neighbor or family member suddenly found himself or herself without a job, and consequently without a home for his or her family. For Tiarra, this was an unfortunate reality. Without employment, she and her children were homeless and were at one point forced to sleep in a car. Now imagine if everyone in your community had access to job training to put them on a career path that provided financial stability and a secure future for themselves and their families.

My Story: Allison Dees

Smiling woman in a red polo shirt and black cardigan stands among clothing racks in a thrift store.

In 2014 unexpectedly, my fiancée died tragically. He was the sole source of income for me and my four children. The shock and depression crippled me. My mom, who is from Maryland, stayed with me for about nine months. We met with Greta [from Goodwill Industries of Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana] and talked about computer classes and possibly working at the Goodwill store.

DIY Harry Potter Inspired Projects

Boy in a forest pretending to cast a spell with glowing red sparks.

Harry Potter super-fans have now read (and maybe re-read!) the newest installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a play whose script was released earlier this summer. Year after year (new release or not), this wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling is continuously infatuating for people around the globe, so it was about time we paid homage to it here!