Find My Goodwill

My Story: Azziale Arnold

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Azziale was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that required yearly corrective surgeries as an adolescent and caused circulation problems, partial blindness and limpness in one leg. She was also diagnosed with lupus and osteoporosis at age 17. Despite these challenges, Azziale graduated high school and completed a four-year registered nursing degree. When work as a home health nurse proved too stressful, she connected with Goodwill and learned medical and billing skills that enabled her to find work as a patient accounts representative.

My Story: Tyrone Coleman

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Before coming to Goodwill, Tyrone had been out of work for almost two years — he had exhausted his unemployment benefits and had depleted his 401(K) to pay for his house. Though he had a college degree, his skill set was out of date. Tyrone connected with Goodwill, who supported him in gaining multiple IT certifications. He now works full-time for the agency and is thankful to be able to provide for his family.

Find a Job if You Have a Criminal Background

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Wes from Nashville, TN, asks, “I’ve been in prison for four years and have six months to go before I’m released. I’m already starting to worry about finding a job when I get out. How can I get back to work when even people with clean records and a great résumé are having trouble finding employment?”

My Story: Kristy Ballew

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After being abandoned by her mother and losing her father, Kristy fell into a new family of friends that used drugs and alcohol. In and out of rehab houses, she made the choice to give her newborn twin girls up for adoption to give them a better life. She successfully completed rehab and got sober, and was referred to Goodwill after moving into a halfway house. Goodwill connected her to a permanent job that she loves and, in addition to being a mother to her son, she’s now studying to take her GED with the goal of attending college to work in drug counseling.

Give the 12 Gifts of Goodwill This Holiday Season

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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

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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.

My Story: Joanna McVicker

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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

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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.