Find My Goodwill

My Story – Cristina Pastor

Portrait of a woman with glasses wearing a navy sweater, angled slightly to the right against a pale gradient background.

After getting laid off in Florida, Cristina Pastor moved to Buffalo, NY, to be near family. Goodwill Industries of Western New York helped her find a job with regular daytime hours that gives her plenty of time with her five children.

For What It’s Worth—The House Budget Resolution

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

Last week, the GOP-led House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that would seem to balance the budget by gutting domestic discretionary spending, boosting military spending, cutting taxes for the wealthiest and raising them for working Americans. In fact, the Ryan Budget Resolution cuts discretionary programs more deeply than the continuation of sequestration would, by a whopping $791 billion.

Is Freelancing Right for You?

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Mitch from Arlington, TX asks, “I haven’t had a lot of success finding traditional work—I’m thinking about quitting and trying to freelance instead. My parents think this is a terrible idea. What do you think?”

My Story – Joseph Lidge

Smiling man in a mustard-colored sweater against a light gray background.

With assistance from Goodwill Industries of Western New York (Buffalo), Joseph Lidge went from being homeless to launching a career and pursuing a college degree. “Life couldn’t be better. I couldn’t ask … I COULD ask for more, and I will ask for more, as long as I’m willing to put the effort behind it to get it.”

Get Your Garden On!

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When you drop off your donations after spring cleaning, step inside your Goodwill store to see what it has to brighten up your outdoor space!

There’s an App for That

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U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez compared programs that help people find family-sustaining careers to apps on a smartphone or tablet. Whether you are a person in need of a job or a community stakeholder who understands that work is an effective anti-poverty tool, there’s an app for that called Goodwill.

Where to Look for a Summer Job

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Todd from Little Rock, AR, asks “I’m helping my teenage nephew look for his first-ever summer job. I’m keeping an eye on the regular job boards, but are there particular places we should look for these kinds of opportunities?”

My Story – Andy Yeager

Smiling store employee in a blue shirt standing among racks of jackets, jeans, and shirts.

Andy Yeager came to Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa (Des Moines) as a high school student looking to gain job experience. He attended job readiness training and gained on-the-job experience that led to his job as a wares processor at the Urbandale, IA, Goodwill store. His hard work paid off, and he earned the agency’s Achiever of the Year award.

Hope Springs Anew in D.C.—or Is It April Fools?

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As spring blooms in Washington and the cherry blossoms come to life, Congress begins one of its busiest periods. The question is, are the hopes of spring to be realized with the passage of long delayed legislation like the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), benefits for the long-term unemployed and timely consideration of FY 2015 spending bills? Or, are we being set up for a Congressional April Fools’ joke?

How to Say No: Navigating Non-Essential Work Requests

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Willa from Norman, OK, asks, “I find it really hard to say no to my coworkers—even when they’re asking me to do things outside of my job duties. Are there nice ways I can turn them down without damaging our relationship?”

My Story – Lee Arnold

Man in a red plaid shirt browses crafting supplies in a store, holding a brown hat.

LEE: “Since working at Goodwill, I’ve purchased a house. This past summer, I put in a garden and grew foods I love to eat. Working at Goodwill has given me back my dignity and respect.”

Budget Politics Returns to Washington

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In the movie Casablanca, Louis the French gendarme played by Claude Rains is forced by the evil Nazis to shut down Rick’s Café American. Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart, is furious about the shutdown and demands to know on what grounds his café is being closed. Louis states, “I’m shocked, shocked, to find that gambling is going on in here!” Of course that Louis is the most prolific gambler of any of Rick’s customers is what makes the announcement so ironically funny. So, too, in Washington: I am amused when one side announces that the other side is playing politics with an issue. Really, politics? In Washington? I’m shocked!