My Story—Lupita Flores
Lupita Flores attended Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona (Tucson)’s Ready to Learn program after being unemployed for two years. Her employer of 13 years laid her off when its office closed. The Goodwill trained her for call center work, and she was pleasantly surprised to find that her customer service background made it a perfect fit.
Remember the Zax!
When I talk about the importance of being engaged in public policy despite partisan gridlock, I often talk about one of my kids’ favorite Dr. Seuss stories, called “The Zax.” In the story, a north-going Zax and a south-going Zax encounter each other in the Prairie of Prax. Rather than stepping an inch to the west or an inch to the east to allow both Zax to continue their journey, they square off and stubbornly hold their ground.
Need to Get Away? Tips for Requesting Paid Time Off
Michael from Charlotte, NC, asks, “I just started a new job, and I am nervous about asking for time off, but I would hate to miss my family’s annual beach trip! Do you have any tips to help the conversation with my manager go more smoothly?”
My Story—Pam Velado
I’m Pam Velado. I was living in Dallas, TX, when I lost my job. I was very discouraged when I couldn’t find another job. I moved back home to Tennessee. I enrolled in a medical assisting school through a vocational rehabilitation program. Although I did well in school and obtained my certification, I did not […]
Long-Delayed Workforce Investment Act Bill Makes Its Way Toward the End Zone
Yesterday, House and Senate leadership unveiled the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would finally reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). A quick read confirms that priority positions advocated by Goodwill are reflected in the final deal
Work Smarter, Not Harder, Through Active Listening
Jamie from Tulsa, OK, asks, “In our last team meeting, my manager suggested practicing active listening. What does this mean? How does it differ from just listening, and why is it important?”
Join the Goodwill on the Hill Virtual Advocacy Day!
This week, Goodwill advocates from around the country will visit Capitol Hill and meet with hundreds of lawmakers to advocate on behalf of Goodwill. You can help by participating in Goodwill on the Hill Virtual Advocacy Day!
Establish Your Support System: Finding a Mentor Who's Great for You
Jon from Manchester, NH, asks, “I have heard it’s good to have a mentor, but I don’t even know where to begin. How do I go about finding a mentor, and what makes a good one?”
Establish Your Support System: Finding a Mentor Who’s Great for You
Jon from Manchester, NH, asks, “I have heard it’s good to have a mentor, but I don’t even know where to begin. How do I go about finding a mentor, and what makes a good one?”
My Story—Sean MacGregor
The job center was a great resource for me. Not only just to get this job. Now I’m comfortable knowing that if anything happens with this job, I know immediately where to go and what to do.
Starting the Habit Early
Now that my son Jack is two months old and ready to see a bit of the world, I felt it was time to pass on my family’s thrifty habits. Can’t start ‘em too early, right? So we headed to a new Goodwill store in Columbia, MD, to check out some baby goods he might be interested in.
The Power of Work
Soon after the first Goodwill store was established in 1902 to convert donated household items and clothing into revenues to pay wages to Goodwill employees, Goodwill recognized that simply providing jobs that pay wages was not enough. More needed to be done to help the people Goodwill employed and served to escape poverty.