Find My Goodwill

Get to Know Goodwill’s Legislative Priorities and Become an Advocate

Young woman in a red top smiling at an older woman with gray hair and large circular earrings.

For policy wonks like me, 2016 is off to an exciting start. Congress wrapped up 2015 without shutting down the government, a threat of falling off a “fiscal cliff” is no longer looming, and there is a new speaker of the House. Of course this year there is a presidential election and a number of lawmakers have announced their retirements at the end of this congressional session, providing an opportunity for Goodwill advocates to make new connections with policymakers.

Find Success in 2016 with Any Resolution

Two hands rest on a spiral notebook open to a page with blue 2016 doodles and a marker.

It’s the first day of a new year. 365 days stretch out before us with all the shimmering promise of good intention. In a few weeks, you may find yourself hitting a wall and slipping back into old habits no matter how much you swore you would do better this year to work toward your goals (whatever they may be). To help you combat that mid-January battle to keep your resolutions, we’ve got a few tips.

My Story: Matthew McCurry

Row of colorful shirts and garments hanging on a metal clothing rack

Goodwill Industries of Tenneva (Kingsport, TN) program participant and employee Matthew McCurry shares how his life has changed since being introduced to the organization.

Career and Financial Advice for December 2015

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Here are some career and financial advice articles published this month—read each piece, share your thoughts, and join GoodProspects to take advantage of everything at Goodwill’s online career navigation portal!

May the Force Awaken in Congress

Desert scene with a mud-brick hut, arched doorway, and a weathered metal device beside rolling sand dunes.

Last week, as Hollywood celebrated the much-anticipated film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, people in Washington, DC (or as I like to call it, “Hollywood for Geeks”), celebrated the end of the year’s Congressional session with the passage of a $1.1 trillion spending bill along with a tax extenders bill. Having just purchased my tickets for The Force Awakens, the DC geek in me can’t help but feel as though the credits are rolling on the second part of a three-part Congressional trilogy.

Bright New Beginnings for 2016

Colorful party poppers with confetti on a bright yellow background.

As the end of 2015 approaches, it’s natural to begin contemplating changes and improvements for the new year ahead. The ringing in of 2016 isn’t just about throwing a great party – although, let’s be honest, going the extra mile to find fun dress and décor is a wonderful way to start on a positive […]

Taxpayers Receive a Special Gift Just in Time for the Holidays

A brown paper-wrapped gift tied with a red and white gingham ribbon on a white wooden surface.

Tis’ the season of giving, and it appears that Congress has delivered a gift to individual taxpayers and the charitable sector this week. While negotiating a budget deal to keep the government open, lawmakers were also negotiating the extension of a number of tax provisions (52 to be exact), which were set to expire at the end of the year. The tax agreement passed the House on Thursday. The Senate is likely to pass the bill on Friday. Some of the provisions in the agreement were made permanent while others would be reinstated through 2019, reinstated through 2016, or phased out over time.

Take a Goodwill Challenge

Assorted holiday felt decorations on a wooden table, including a reindeer, stitched trees, and snowflake ornaments

It isn’t often that I get sucked into YouTube, watching one video after another, but I have to admit that I get hopelessly lost whenever I start watching $5 Goodwill Challenge videos. Tonight was especially bad because two of my loves were combined: Goodwill and Christmas. But how could I help myself? It turns out that there are some truly posh holiday displays shared online designed around Goodwill finds. Here are a few.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

Round analog clock with red hands on a light wooden surface

Oh no, here we go again…maybe. Congress has once again brought our government to the verge of shutdown, not because there are wide differences over the spending levels, but rather over a host of unrelated policy issues best handled as stand-alone legislation than attached to annual spending bills.

My Story: Lee Ann Hannaford

Smiling woman with short dark hair and glasses sits indoors, with a lit cross in the background.

Lee Ann Hannaford is the winner of Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut’s (Bridgeport) 2015 Spirit of Inspiration Award, She discusses how she has recently been able to overcome living with a debilitating brain injury and hopes for the future.

Your Quest for the Perfect Gift Begins at Goodwill

Brown kraft-wrapped gifts tied with red-and-white twine, beside pine branches and a pine cone on a wooden surface.

How’s your holiday shopping coming? I’ve tracked down a few of my most important gifts, but there is still much to be done on my end before Christmas arrives. In an effort to save money and give thoughtful, handmade gifts, I’ve turned to Goodwill. If you’re in the same boat as me, I thought I’d share a few of my plans for this holiday season in hopes of inspiring yours.

Confessions of a Holiday “Stuff Gatekeeper”

Mother and child with a Goodwill donation box among donated toys and blankets in a living room.

On Cyber Monday, I purchased items from Goodwill’s online retail partners. Upon delivery, I’ll remove my new items, and fill the shipping boxes with my Black Friday donations. Next, I’ll print a pre-paid shipping label at givebackbox.com . Finally, I can send the box of donations to my local Goodwill, and it will sell my donations to generate revenues which support employment, job training and other services that create strong families in my community.