Hope Springs Anew in D.C.—or Is It April Fools?
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
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
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
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!
Your Top Five Tax-Filing Myths – Busted!
Question “With tax time getting nearer, I’m getting more stressed about getting my taxes done. There’s a lot of information out there, and it’s hard to suss out what’s true and what isn’t. Any advice you have would be appreciated.” — Max from Berea, KY Answer With so much tax-time misinformation circulating around the Internet, […]
Goodwill, Partners Turn Labor Challenges into Opportunities
Like it or not, advancing technology has and always will affect the labor market. What’s different (and its keeping me awake at night) is the astronomical and accelerating pace of modern advancement. That means it is critical for all workforce stakeholders – policy makers, businesses and employers, service providers and workers – to recognize that changes are soon imminent and to prepare to quickly adapt. Meanwhile, since it expired in 2003, Congress has been unable or unwilling to update the Workforce Investment Act, the primary law that authorizes and shapes the nation’s approach to job training.
Goodwill Public Policy Team Delves into Key FY2015 Budget Issues
Piggy Bank with American FlagPresident Obama has said that 2014 is a “year of action,” and the Administration’s FY 2015 budget request proposes a host of initiatives aimed at employment and job training and represents a substantial commitment to helping people find and keep good jobs. Below, we highlight priorities of particular interest to Goodwill. The GII public policy team will be hard at work on Capitol Hill in the upcoming weeks and months pressing for resources that will help our agencies perform their mission.
Ten Steps to Filing Your Taxes Online
Robert from Peoria, IL, asks, “I’ve always filed my taxes using paper forms. My son is encouraging to me to file online this year, but I’m worried about how the whole process works. What are your thoughts?”
My Story – Montreal Ellis
Before I came to Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana, I was working for a lawn service; when the company changed managers, I was laid off. I worked for a while fixing TVs for cash, but that didn’t last long. My mom took me to see a counselor at Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, and she referred me […]
Finding a Good Job Fit if You Have Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism
Jameela from Atlanta, GA, asks, “I’m a college student with Asperger’s, and I’m dreading trying to find a job when I graduate. I struggle in social situations and don’t always make a good first impression. What advice do you have?”
My Story – Alex Hammond
I started having migraines at the age of three. When I was seven, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery was performed and we thought everything was okay. The tumor came back when I was 12, and another surgery was performed. After surgery, I was partially paralyzed and could not speak. I had to […]
Still Frozen? Put a Little Spring in Your Life Now!
I’ve had it with all the Polar Vortices and their impending snow-doom warnings. And now that I’m on maternity leave and cooped up in the house for the better part of the day – well, let’s just say I needed a good dose of sunshine, so I headed to Goodwill.