Prior to coming to Goodwill eight years ago, I worked for a group home for displaced teenage boys. The group home closed and I found myself unemployed, facing eviction from my place and facing homelessness. Eventually, I found myself living in a homeless shelter with no possible work prospect. The feeling of not having anywhere to go or turn to was a scary and daunting feeling.
This Wednesday, people across the globe will be celebrating Earth Day by planting trees, picking up litter, and riding a bike to work instead of driving. But did you know that every time you shop at or donate to Goodwill you are doing a little bit to help save our Earth, too? Goodwill is an entrepreneurial leader, environmental pioneer, and social innovator of the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” practice. Just stopping into your local Goodwill on Earth Day will help you go green and save green at the same time.
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Did you know that working for free can help you transition into your dream job? Volunteering increases your chances of employment. One 2013 study showed that “volunteers have a 27 percent higher likelihood of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers.” That number almost doubles for certain groups, such as those without high school diplomas. Here’s how volunteering ups your employment odds.
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Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana (New Orleans) has received approval from Louisiana Board of Regents to establish the Goodwill Career & Technical College (GCTC), which specializes in helping vulnerable populations receive industry certifications and skills in high-demand local industries.
READ MORE from New Orleans Goodwill Receives Approval to Open Technical College
My name is Lew Davis and I have been associated with Goodwill of Monocacy Valley (Frederick, MD). Prior to coming to Goodwill, I was struggling with intellectual and learning disabilities and dealing with my father’s illness. I am a very shy person and it takes me awhile to open up to people.
This week, Goodwill® advocates from around the country will visit Capitol Hill and meet with hundreds of lawmakers to advocate for federal investments in programs that leverage Goodwill and benefit the people we serve, and increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. You can help bolster the success of their visits and help strengthen Goodwill’s public policy influence.
READ MORE from Join the #GoodwillOnHill Virtual Advocacy Day
Would you judge me if I said that I was so inspired by the bold, rich color of Goodwill’s logo that I’ve decided to actively seek it out for clothing and home décor? No? Great!
Since 1902, Goodwill has been helping people find jobs despite employment challenges. Much has changed since our founder, Edgar Helms, opened the first Goodwill store in south Boston, providing jobs and much needed wages to people in the economically distressed neighborhood. Back then, a solid education was certainly nice to have; today however, access to education is an absolute necessity if one is to succeed in a job and advance in a career.
For free or a relatively small fee, you can learn everything from coding to ancient history without having to leave home, and often on your own time. A popular model is the Massive Online Open Course, and it works for career skills training, too. Learn more about how these courses work and where to find them.
Goodwill Industries of South Florida (Miami) employees Niurka Serrano, Maria Valdez, Susan Spiller and Aldrich Johnson were recently recognized in front of their peers for saving the life of fellow employee Brandon Nasta.
READ MORE from Goodwill® Employees Honored for Saving Co-worker’s Life
