Give the 12 Gifts of Goodwill This Holiday Season
As you’re checking your lists and running errands these next few days, don’t forget to make Goodwill one of your last-minute December shopping destinations. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of 12 popular things you can find at Goodwill that are sure to make your holiday season even brighter.
Proposed Legislation Aims to Consolidate Federal Job Training Programs
African-American man participants in automotive job training programIn response to a January 2011 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), introduced the Streamlining Workforce Development Programs Act last week, which proposes to eliminate 33 existing training programs and consolidate them under four new workforce investment funds.
Six Questions to Consider before Starting Your Own Business
June from San Francisco, CA, asks: “I have a job that doesn’t really challenge me. I have great ideas for a new business, but need help getting started. How would I begin to get this idea off the ground?”
My Story: Joanna McVicker
After getting kicked in the head by a horse at the age of four, Joanna incurred a life-long brain injury that affects the way in which she retains and processes information. After high school, she experienced difficulty finding and maintaining a job. In 2010, Joanna was referred to Goodwill, who invited her into its Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program. After building her vocational and cognitive skills, Joanna was able to find a job that she enjoys and feel empowered for the first time in her life.
Goodwill Announces 2012 Public Policy Priorities
U.S. Capitol BuildingWhile election-year politics are expected to dominate the 2012 congressional session, a number of issues that Goodwill cares about are likely to be up for discussion by Congress next year. In anticipation of these conversations, Goodwill has released its official public policy agenda for 2012.
Keep Stress Down and Spirits High This Holiday Season
Monica from Huntsville, AL, asks, “I’m working extra through the holiday season, but I want to be there for my family, too. Any tips for keeping the holiday spirit without stressing out too much?”
My Story: Tounta Adams
Unable to find work or a place to live, Tounta Adams moved her husband and children in with her parents. She didn’t know how she was going to support her family and prayed nightly to find a solution to her situation. Welfare services referred her to Goodwill who hooked her up with transportation and clothing vouchers, and diapers. She enrolled in the agency’s community job program and is now a proud Goodwill employee who is on track to getting her own place to live again.
Goodwill Educates Donors, Congress on Charitable Giving This Holiday Season
During the economic downturn of the past few years, charitable donations have decreased dramatically across the nonprofit sector, with some leaders predicting it will it take charities six years to return to where they were financially in 2007. Further reductions in these donations will reduce nonprofits’ ability to serve the individuals and families who rely on them for job training and other critical community-based services.
With one month remaining in the 2011 tax year, Goodwill is empowering donors like you to make informed decisions about where you donate, and urging Congress to protect charitable giving incentives that ensure you continue to receive a deduction for your contributions.
Need a Job? See Which Sectors Are Hiring
Darren from Brunswick, ME, asks, “I’m looking for new career paths, but don’t want to get persue a field that has a limited number of available positions and opportunities for growth. What are some sectors that are doing the most hiring now?”
My Story: Darryl Humphrey
Darryl was born with congenital cataracts and myopic pressure in both eyes, and had surgery done on both eyes back in 1998, where doctors replaced his natural lenses with synthetic implants. After leaving his job with the federal government, Darryl started looking for a better job and got in touch with Good Temps, a Goodwill staffing agency in New York. Through the program, he landed a job as an NYPD police administrative aide, a position that allows him to work and help people.
Spending Cuts Uncertain Following Supercommittee Failure
On Monday, November 21, 2011, leaders of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction confirmed that the supercommittee was unable to craft a bi-partisan agreement for cutting the deficit by $1.2 trillion before Wednesday’s deadline. As a result of the panel’s failure, a range of federal programs face automatic spending cut unless Congress can reach an agreement before January 2013.
Buying a Car Makes Sense for Some Job Seekers
Tamika in Atlanta asks, “Are there any ways to get help buying a car so I can have more job opportunities available to me?”