Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan (SEMI) was recently featured in a video titled The Life of Your Book, showcasing how donated books are recirculated into the community. The Life of Your Book will be featured at the Michigan State Capitol Department of Education, through Lenawee Cradle to Career. When you donate books to Goodwill SEMI you are impacting programs right here in our community.
Wealth Management with Any Income
Maybe you’ve seen the ads on TV, or while you’re out and about: Financial consulting, investment services, portfolio management, etc. It can sound impossible even to a person with a relatively comfortable middle-class income! Those services, though, can extend to anybody, as can the practices of smart money management and building a more secure financial future. Here are a few simple things that you can do.
Last Minute Finds for Easter
Easter is only days away now, but it’s not too late to boost your celebration by adding a little something extra. We’ve got ideas for gifts, decor, and dress. So, no matter how you plan to spend Sunday, here are a few ideas to make the most of it…
Join Us for the 2018 Goodwill® Virtual Advocacy Day
On Thursday April 19, Goodwill Advocates from across the United States will travel to Capitol Hill to advocate for the issues that matter most to local Goodwill organizations. On this day we are calling on all Goodwill Advocates to send messages to Congress, either through a letter or a social media post, about the important Goodwill issues and to support our colleagues advocating in person. In today’s social media driven world virtual advocacy is becoming a powerful tool to communicate with our elected officials. According to the Congressional Management Foundation, 98% of lawmakers view this communication as extremely important and effective.
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How Improving Your Soft Skills Can Help You Cultivate Influence at Work
A recent Harvard Business Review article, How to Increase Your Influence at Work, looks at basic strategies for aspiring leaders who are wanting to develop their influence as they move along their career paths.
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Conquer the Budget Beast with Planning and Rewards
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.
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Spring Cleaning the Forgotten Spaces
Does it seem like the same rooms always get the attention during spring cleaning? The kitchen, of course, bedrooms (especially their closets), etc. Well today we’re going to tackle some spaces that might get passed over year-to-year. During this annual ritual of purging the unnecessary, one of the most common dilemmas for spring cleaners is what to do with all that stuff. As the green movement grows, consumers are increasingly concerned about reusing and recycling.
Get on the (Omni)Bus!
Once again, I find myself writing a blog where by the time you read it, the government could be shutdown. Yesterday the federal government was closed for a snow day on the first full day of Spring, and if Congress doesn’t pass the recently released Omnibus bill by midnight on Friday, March 23rd, the government will be closed due to lack of funding…again.
My Story: Michael Stucke
I knew that I wanted to enter the workforce but it was not going to be easy. I have autism and needed assistance with my job seeking skills. That is when I reached out to my local Goodwill. When I first entered the Supported Employment Program that was offered at Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois and the Wisconsin Stateline Area, I did not have any job experience and needed assistance finding and maintaining a job. I was assigned to a job coach that would work with me every day to build my skills. I excelled in the program and soon learned the soft skills I needed to be successful in the competitive job market!
Digital Literacy, a Necessity
Navigating career pathways can be very daunting. There are many different industries, companies and skill sets that an individual can pursue. There is a specific skill set that will improve one’s ability to gain access to all sectors. We all know that good soft skills are necessary for functioning on teams, building relationships and balancing work and home.
