Find My Goodwill

My Story: Angel Howell

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After a divorce, Angel – a former stay-at-home mom – needed to find a job to support her son with autism. She applied for TANF and was connected with Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast, which connected her with employment following a job training program. When that employer cut her hours after six years, she returned to Goodwill for help. She now works as a hospital receptionist and tells others, “Never give up, because anything is possible.”

Thrift Is in the Air

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Some of us showed our love this week with chocolates, some with mushy cards and fancy dinners. But ever since I started dating my husband–who so rarely shops for himself– I’ve shown him love all year long by turning him into my personal Ken doll. That’s right. I lovingly forced my thrifting ways upon him by providing him a with an awesomely fashionable twice-loved wardrobe.

Stand Up for People, Priorities Overlooked in the State of the Union Address

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As the president lays out the priorities for the administration during his second-term and a new Congress reconvenes with its own agenda, now is the time to let your voice be heard and to speak up for those groups who were not referenced. Sign up for Goodwill’s Legislative Action Center to contact your members of Congress. Share the alerts and updates with your own networks, and educate other stakeholders about how the acts of Congress will affect Goodwill. Let’s make sure the important groups overlooked in the State of the Union are not forgotten as Congress considers these cuts.

Office Romances: Worth the Risk?

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Craig from Akron, OH, asks, “My heart’s conflicted. I love my job and see real potential here. But I’ve also recently developed feelings for one of my coworkers – which I know are reciprocated. Office relationships are frowned upon here. What should I do?”

My Story – Maurice Williams

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Maurice thought his life was over after a shooting incident in a store left him totally blind. After connecting with Goodwill, he gained the confidence and skills he needed to re-enter the workforce and has now been working at a job he loves for nearly eight years.

Two Valentine's Day Gifts to Make from Goodwill Finds

Here are two really great gifts you can make from Goodwill finds. The candy dish is a sweet and easy project that can be assembled in a few minutes. The book gift is a little more involved, but is a nice, romantic surprise for a special sweetheart. Either way, that special someone will love these thoughtful Valentine’s presents, and your purchases will help Goodwill create jobs for people in your local community — a doubly sweet deal!

Two Valentine’s Day Gifts to Make from Goodwill Finds

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

Here are two really great gifts you can make from Goodwill finds. The candy dish is a sweet and easy project that can be assembled in a few minutes. The book gift is a little more involved, but is a nice, romantic surprise for a special sweetheart. Either way, that special someone will love these thoughtful Valentine’s presents, and your purchases will help Goodwill create jobs for people in your local community — a doubly sweet deal!

Unemployment: Are We Treating Symptoms or the Patient?

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As the nation slowly recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression, and concerns about the deficit remain front and center, some policymakers are tempted to consolidate the workforce system in the name of reform. While a case can be made that broad consolidation would lead to some savings and efficiencies, I believe — especially because several key laws are due for Congressional review — the current dialogue must shift from consolidation to promoting integration and collaboration among existing resources and programs.

How to Use LinkedIn to Help You Find a Job

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Julianne from Lawton, OK, asks, “I was talking to my uncle about how hard it is to find a job, and he said I should try getting on LinkedIn. I’ve used Facebook before – is it the same?” –

My Story: Justin Throckmorton

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When Justin first started work, he struggled to understand appropriate boundaries and actively listen to directions from his supervisor. Goodwill’s program gave him the structured setting he needed in order to build those skills, and he is now employed at a local supermarket. “Overall, Goodwill has helped me overcome many obstacles to obtain a job that I really love.”

How to Incorporate Vintage Clothing into Your Workplace Wardrobe

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Vintage clothing can be an excellent way to express your creativity and individuality — even within the confines of your 9-to-5 job. Goodwill is and always will be an excellent source to get these items inexpensively, due in part to their entrepreneurial business model of collecting and selling donated goods in its more than 2,800 stores and its auction site, shopgoodwill.com. To add a little vintage spice to your workplace wardrobe, consider these tips.

Every Day Is Groundhog Day in Washington, DC

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Millions of classic movie lovers will recall the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, in which his egocentric character is doomed to repeat February 2 day after day. Just a couple hundred miles to the southeast in Washington, policymakers are living a real-life political version of the 1993 movie classic.