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Join Us for the 2018 Goodwill® Virtual Advocacy Day

Posted on March 29, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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.

How Improving Your Soft Skills Can Help You Cultivate Influence at Work

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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.

Conquer the Budget Beast with Planning and Rewards

Posted on March 26, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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.

Spring Cleaning the Forgotten Spaces

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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!

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

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.

Creating (and Sticking to) a Budget for Financial Health

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

A budget is a smart and easy step toward financial health regardless of where you work or what you earn. Simply put, a budget is an itemized summary of your likely income and expenses during a given timeframe, such as monthly or annually. Whether you create it in a spreadsheet or handwrite it in a notebook, a budget gives you an overview that helps you.

Goodwill® Finds to Dye For

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

I think it’s pretty common for people to shop by color. Since my local Goodwill stores tend to display clothing as a rainbow, I usually gravitate toward the sections with my favorite hues. Sadly, that completely limits my shopping experience! How many would-be-favorites have I passed by simply because I am forgetting about the magic of dye? Well, today we’ll be looking at some beautiful (and easy) updates that other thrifty crafters have completed. They’re inspiring me to be color-blind while shopping and to embrace the unknown in a vivid dyeing adventure.

March Madness on Capitol Hill

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Vanessa Cardoni

Every March I put my hopes and dreams (and a little cash), in the hands of college basketball players. My bracket is complete and I’m excited to see which teams make it to the final four. It’s not just March Madness in the sports world, but it’s also March Madness on Capitol Hill. Congress has until March 23rd to pass the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) funding bill to avoid another government shutdown. It’s maddening that we’re six months into FY18 and we still don’t have a federal budget. It is likely that Congress will be able to pass one massive spending bill known as an Omnibus, yet negotiations have been slow due to debate over policy riders.

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