My Story: Dustin Broshar
Dustin, who has a hearing impairment, shares how Goodwill’s Prosperity Center in Eugene, OR, helped him find stable employment and access financial and educational opportunities.
No Wire Hangers! Why Wooden Hangers Hold the Key to Closet Organization
I am a messy person. For a few years I’ve been trying to find ways to intercept messes before they take root, and one thing that has really helped is having an exposed closet. When I dress, I need to see all of my options before me. In the past, my closet led to piles on the floor and the disappearance of my bed beneath clothing, but once I built an exposed closet it was much easier for me to manage the would-be mess because suddenly I didn’t have to pull everything out in order to see it.
For Workforce Stakeholders, It’s March Madness
For workforce stakeholders, March has been an eventful month. Early in the month, Congress failed to avert automatic spending cuts, commonly referred to as “sequestration,” from taking place. This cut is resulting in a 5 percent cut to job training and other programs that allow Goodwill to do more to help people to find jobs and advance in careers. Further, the cut will feel deeper since it is being applied late in the fiscal year.
Don’t Phone It In: Five Tips to Make Telecommuting Work for Your Career
Julian from St. Louis, MO, asks, “I’m starting a new job, and it looks like telecommuting will be an option for me after I log a few months in the office. Working from home sounds like fun, but I know I’m going to be tempted to slack off. How can I get myself in gear?”
Thrift is SO Having a Moment Right Now
As your self-proclaimed “thrift culture” blogger, I feel it’s my responsibility- nay – my duty this month to point one simple fact to the blogosphere. Let’s all join hands and bow our heads– thrift stores are really having a bit of a moment right now.
This Tax Season, Take Advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit
During last year’s tax filing season, more than 27 million American families were refunded in excess of $62 billion by taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or the Earned Income Credit (EITC or EIC). However, each year, millions of families fail to take advantage of billions of dollars in EITC refunds that they are eligible to receive. If your family is considered low-income or medium-income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your family may be losing out on potential tax refund dollars.
Resume Keywords Can Help Online Recruiters Take Notice
Matthew from Norfolk, VA, asks, “How can I make my resume rise to the top of online job boards so that recruiters will notice me?”
My Story: Casey Harrington
Casey was referred to Goodwill through her state’s rehabilitation services office. After quickly learning how to process books, she also received training on how to process shoes and accessories. She says, “The best part about having a job is coming to work, meeting new people and coming out of my shell!”
Transition Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring with These Tips
March is the perfect example of an ‘in-between seasons’ month that can’t really decide whether it wants to be winter or spring. If you’re living in the Northeast like me, you’re probably fully ready for spring despite the weather’s overwhelming aversion to it. Regardless of whether the groundhog predicted an early spring or six more weeks of winter, there’s plenty you can do to reflect your anticipation for spring fashion now. Here is some advice for invigorating your wardrobe during the tricky month of March.
Action Needed to Prevent One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Job Training
Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act (H.R. 803). The bill proposes to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) while consolidating 35 job training programs in a single block grant to states. On March 6, 2013, the House Education and the Workforce Committee passed the bill 23-0. Democratic members of the committee walked out on the vote to protest the partisan process being used to advance the bill.
What Not to Wear When Attending a Job Interview
Kellen from Portland, OR, asks”I’m just out of school and am getting ready to go on my first job interview. I’m struggling with what to wear.”
My Story: Robert Johns
Robert was struggling to take care of his family after his father’s passing, when he was referred to Goodwill. After learning and succeeding at a variety of tasks, he rose to the position of dock attendant. “I really take pride in my work,” he says.