Find My Goodwill

Here’s What This Year’s Second Annual Secondhand Sunday Had in Store

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

Earlier this month, freshly stuffed with turkey and cranberry sauce, millions of Americans mapped out their early Black Friday morning shopping strategies. Just hours after giving thanks for the things they already have, many of them huddled in tents on cold, hard, strip-mall sidewalks — ironically — to get more stuff. Not me. Last year’s first Secondhand Sunday had me looking forward to this year’s post-Thanksgiving trip to the thrift store even more.

My Story: Tanyel Johnson

Group of workers wearing high-visibility vests standing in front of a loading dock.

Tanyel quit her job to attend to the needs of her children, specifically, her son with a disability, while her husband worked. Not working caused her to fall into a depression. She saw a commercial for Goodwill’s services and later connected with the agency in Omaha for a six-month customer service training. She landed an internship,which then led to permanent employment that allows her to still attend to her son’s needs when needed.

What Can Congress Learn from a Shower Squeegee?

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

This time of year always makes me think about tradition and the fact that winter celebrations are common among most cultures around the world. At the macro level, lights, singing and festivals are all age-old traditions that help to dull the edge of a bleak season of long, dark and cold nights. What I enjoy even more are those quirky traditions that develop at the micro level among families.

Made a Mistake at Work? Five Steps to Recover Quickly

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

Michael from Portland, OR, asks, “I’ve had so much on my plate at the end of this year that I totally spaced out on an important project timeline at work. I’m so mad at myself! How can I make things better?”

My Story – Cody Pacht

Group of workers wearing high-visibility vests standing in front of a loading dock.

After high school, Cody was excited to start the next phase of his life but didn’t know where to begin. He connected with the Colorado Springs’ “Pursuits” program, where he gained confidence and built his job skills. At the conclusion of the program, he found a job at a local car dealership. “Now that I look back and see how far I have come and how much I have achieved, I realize that there is nothing out of my reach,” he says.

Countdown to the Holidays with This Easy DIY Project

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

At this time of the year, everyone is counting down to something – Christmas, the New Year, Kwanzaa, etc. But rather than buying an advent calendar that may not exactly suit your celebration or décor style, why not make your own countdown? The holiday season has somehow evolved into a season about the stuff. I wanted a way to bring attention back to community-centered activities that represent the spirit of the holidays (like joining Goodwill in giving back!) So instead of putting toys or candies in my countdown, I’ve written out holiday activities that will allow my family to really enjoy this December.

'Twas the Night Before Congress (Adjourned)

Twas the night before Congress adjourned, when all through the House (and Senate)
Not a person was working, not even a mouse.
The bills were all filed to repeal Obamacare,
In hopes that November soon would be there.

‘Twas the Night Before Congress (Adjourned)

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

Twas the night before Congress adjourned, when all through the House (and Senate)
Not a person was working, not even a mouse.
The bills were all filed to repeal Obamacare,
In hopes that November soon would be there.

My Story – Veena Sharma

Group of workers wearing high-visibility vests standing in front of a loading dock.

A debilitating back injury forced Veena to have to leave her warehouse job where she’d been working for 15 years. She was referred to Goodwill, where she improved her computer skills and later served as a volunteer. She was later hired by Goodwill in February 2001 and has worked there ever since. “Anyone that is given a chance and puts forth an effort can move forward,” she says.

Deconstruct a Skirt to Make These Great Plaid Pillows

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

Finding skirts and jackets made out of spectacular wool plaid at local thrift stores has become a hunt that I relish. Checking out women’s skirts and men’s sport coats for bright or unusual eye catching plaids is standard procedure. When something stands out, I hold it up and try to imagine it as a pillow, or even as ottoman fabric. Here’s a little secret I discovered a few years ago: pleated skirts have lots of fabric once you remove the waistband. When I came across this very short skirt, with the plaid on the diagonal, I knew it would be the perfect color and pattern for pillows.

Your New Holiday Carol: The Twelve Numbers of Congress

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

The Thanksgiving holiday fell later this year, which caused retailers great alarm since there would be six fewer shopping days left between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Congress is also running out of time between the holidays to accomplish their year-end goals, and yet they aren’t feeling the same level of angst. There are a number of unfinished items to work on but given that the holidays are upon us, I feel the highlights are best depicted as the Twelve Numbers of Congress. Sing along if you’d like.