My Story: Justin Hon

Justin Hon was able to use his self-presentation skills in conjunction with additional job training from Goodwill Industries of Southern Oregon (Medford) to find work after facing challenges related to his criminal history. As a result of his job placement, he is now able to be more involved in the lives of his children. Read more and watch as he shares his journey to self-sufficiency.

Making it Yours: Found to Favorite

If you want something done right, you’d better do it yourself. This is a hard idea to swallow because it means putting a lot of elbow grease into everything you do, but, if you think about it, isn’t that the only way you’ll be perfectly satisfied with the outcome? Take clothing, for example, it’s rare to find a shirt that fits you exactly right on the first try. Even if it fits in the store when you by it brand new, after running it through the wash once or twice it can fit very differently! Why not whip out that sewing machine and turn it into something that is just right for your body. You’re unique. Your stuff should be unique, too!

Didn't Vote? You Aren't Alone

With the 2016 presidential election dominating national media coverage, it was almost easy to forget that there was an election this week. The polls had been open for three hours when I received my “I Voted” sticker, and I was voter number 127. I’m not sure how many registered voters are in my precinct, but there are more than 150,000 in my county. An estimated 25 percent came out to cast their vote – the fewest since 2007.

Didn’t Vote? You Aren’t Alone

With the 2016 presidential election dominating national media coverage, it was almost easy to forget that there was an election this week. The polls had been open for three hours when I received my “I Voted” sticker, and I was voter number 127. I’m not sure how many registered voters are in my precinct, but there are more than 150,000 in my county. An estimated 25 percent came out to cast their vote – the fewest since 2007.

Let’s Make A Deal

For months Congress has delayed completing work on a host of key matters.  From the budget, debt limit, the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Trust Fund shortfall, and highway funding, Congress delayed and passed short term measures that did little beyond keep the lights on and heighten the anxiety. As time ran out and pressure […]

The Latest Career and Financial Advice

The Goodwill blog’s career and financial advice posts have all moved to GoodProspects, but you can still get great advice on your job search, learn about career fields and connect with virtual career mentors. Here are some recent 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!

Harvest Brunch Inspiration

Every October, some friends of mine host a harvest brunch at their home. Families travel from all over the state on a Sunday morning to break bread together and catch up over hot coffee and cool fall moods. There is just something about a chill in the air that makes us all want to come together and, since this is one of my favorite fall occurrences, I thought I’d share that feeling with you today.

Back to “Back to the Future”

This week’s fun fact is that October 21, 2015 is the date that Doctor Emmitt Brown set for his time machine, a DeLorean, in hopes of saving Marty McFly and his girlfriend’s future in the movie “Back to the Future.” As a proud member of Generation X, I enjoyed reading accounts, such as “It’s Time for ‘Back to the Future’ Day,” which reflect upon what the movie got right (e.g. teleconferencing) and what it got wrong (e.g. hovercrafts that run on garbage serving as a common and accessible mode of transportation).

DIY Halloween

There are 15 days left before Halloween! That’s plenty of time to make your own costume! Sure, you could buy one that’s ready-made, but what’s the fun in that? Use the next two weeks to invent an ensemble that is completely unique and you’ll really knock the socks off of those trick-or-treaters and costume partygoers. Here’s what I’m talking about…

Identify Your Financial Goals

Today, I attended the first Annual National Financial Goal Day kickoff, hosted by The Financial Clinic, to launch financial goals. Goodwill is a partner with The Financial Clinic, whose mission is to improve financial mobility for the working poor.

Color Crush: Citron

Here in New England, autumn is saturating our leaves with its most glorious tones. Every year, I’m in awe of the colors being produced, but once in awhile, I find a new obsession with one shade in particular. Even if it’s an old familiar hue, I’ll suddenly see it in a new way that has me wishing I could redecorate my whole house to capture its mood. Of course, I don’t have the time or money to undertake such a restructuring, so I have to find other ways to bring the color-du-jour into my life. This year, I’m head over heels for the bright, lemony look of citron that I’ve seen adorning some of my local branches. It’s not a color that is often associated with fall, but in my neck of the woods (quite literally) it’s really been catching my eye.

Goodwill Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Goodwill Industries International is proud to join service providers, advocacy groups and employers among other stakeholders, in acknowledging the importance of employees with disabilities as a vital component of the U.S. labor force. This year’s theme, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor — “My Disability Is One Part of Who I Am” — underscores the fact that employees with disabilities bring a wide variety of skills to the table. However, it is evident that more work needs to be done to educate employers and support people with disabilities. Approximately one in five Americans has a disability and they make up nearly 20 percent of America’s workforce, yet their unemployment rate is more than twice that of workers without disabilities.