Find My Goodwill

My Story: Cassandra Rolle

Smiling woman with long black hair outdoors near a fountain, wearing a teal shirt.

Cassandra Rolles came to Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (Charlotte, NC) in 2013. The Goodwill helped her gain employment skills and experience through a variety of temporary positions before connecting her with a temp-to-perm position in the county government.

Goodwill College Essentials

Overhead view of two students studying on a wooden bench: one with a laptop, the other with a book.

It’s been said a million times before, but it bears repeating: college students are broke. Maybe I should just underline and bold that last statement…or repeat it; college students are broke! There are a lot of things a prepared and creative undergrad can do to save precious dollars and still obtain what they need to start the semester on the right foot, so today I thought I’d offer up a few ideas.

Women's Equality Day Commemorates Strides to Narrow the Gender Gap

Black-and-white historical photo of women suffragists marching with banners, wearing cloaks and hats.

On August 26, 1920, following a long and hard-fought political campaign, women in the United States won the right to vote. Research shows that 95 years after securing the right to vote, more and more women execute this right of citizenship. Women have had larger voter turnout than men in every presidential election since 1980. Some attribute this to women having more interaction with government.

Women’s Equality Day Commemorates Strides to Narrow the Gender Gap

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

On August 26, 1920, following a long and hard-fought political campaign, women in the United States won the right to vote. Research shows that 95 years after securing the right to vote, more and more women execute this right of citizenship. Women have had larger voter turnout than men in every presidential election since 1980. Some attribute this to women having more interaction with government.

Career Success for Individuals with Disabilities

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Having a disability doesn’t mean that you can’t also have a successful, fulfilling career. Programs, including accommodation and rehabilitation, exist to help you get back on the job or make the most of the job you have. Learn more about how to determine which career fits you and how you can succeed in it.

My Story: Nadia Patterson

Smiling woman outdoors with lush green shrubs in the background.

When Nadia Patterson moved from New York to North Carolina with her children, she had limited job prospects. Goodwill Industries of the Southern PIedmont (Charlotte, NC) helped her get back on track by earning her GED, pursuing secondary education and landing a job in her dream field as a pharmacy technician.

Your Favorite Music Genre: Now Playing at Goodwill

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

When getting to know someone new, it’s inevitable that one of you will eventually ask, “What kind of music do you like?” The question is never whether or not the other person likes music, but specifically which kind it is that they prefer. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered someone who wasn’t taken by some specific tempo or tune because there are just so many genres that reach out to every type of person who inhabits this vast earth. Music is a magnetic force that can help a person to heal, to grow, and to feel more inspired or less alone. Which kinds speak to you?

Urge Congress to Support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

I visited the Hudson County Jail in northern New Jersey. Twenty years later, I can still vividly remember the rhythmic sound of sturdy locks opening, followed by heavy doors slamming shut, and then the locks swinging back home. It was a deafening and consistent reminder to the residents of that institution that they were “inmates” who were very, very bad.

Sneaking Summer Into Your Workspace

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Alas, the days of summer vacation are in the past for most of us, so we pass up the pool in favor of a paycheck every Monday through Friday. But that doesn’t mean your summer style must be compromised! Unless you’re lucky enough to work outside and enjoy this glorious season before it’s gone, you may need to consciously include it in your 9-5 life.

Bipartisan Innovation at Risk of Being a Missed Opportunity

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

Last year, Congress voted overwhelmingly to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The moment represented a bipartisan beacon of hope on Capitol Hill. Goodwill Industries International was pleased with the overall outcome in this new Act which provides opportunities for community based organizations, like Goodwill, to do more to help people build their skills and connect with career opportunities.

Advancing Your Career with Digital Badges

Diverse group of six workers wearing safety vests posing in front of a loading dock.

All evidence indicates that a degree or professional certificate is the way forward for career and financial stability. The game is changing, though, with digital badges gaining importance in the credentialing world. Read more to see what digital badges are, how they work and how to get them.

Take the Homework Out of Preparing for a New School Year

Stack of colorful spiral-bound notebooks and binders arranged diagonally, with a red hardcover book on the right.

You know that expression “A Sunday well spent brings a week of content”? One could just as easily swap out “Sunday” for “August” and “week” for “school year” and it would still be true. With the right preparation, the back to school season can be a seamless transition from vacation to vocation with minimal tears.