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?”
My Story: Nick Vaughan
After receiving post-secondary training, Nick was unable to find a job and was contemplating moving back to where he grew up, where he’d have to give up his friends and his independence. He was referred to Goodwill, where an employment counselor helped him update his resume and submit applications. He landed a seasonal part-time job at Lowe’s and was later hired full time. He now loves his job and the independence it affords him.
Goodwill Urges Congress to Support Employment for Veterans and Military Families
On November 16, Goodwill took to Capitol Hill to brief Congress on our work with military families and present our latest white paper. Given the stubbornly bleak job market and constrained federal budgets, Goodwill calls for a continuum of coordinated services that address the unique needs and complex employment challenges facing veterans and military families. We also urge greater collaboration among the community-based providers, federal agencies and veteran service organizations.
How Employers Work With Goodwill to Hire Job Seekers
Don from Tacoma, WA asks “As an employer, how I can work with Goodwill to hire someone who needs a job?”
My Story: Traci McMartin
Before coming to Goodwill ,Traci was in an abusive relationship with her children’s father and spent time in prison for helping him distribute drugs. She transitioned to a halfway house after prison, and learned about Goodwill’s training programs from a co-worker. Through employment with Goodwill and support from her colleagues, Traci began building a steady life and career, and now plans to become an advocate for the rights of women and children.
Goodwill, Policymakers Make Veterans Employment a Priority
On November 16, 2011, Goodwill will release its new white paper “From Deployment to Employment: Goodwill’s Call to Action on Supporting Military Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families” at a briefing on Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, as Veterans Day approaches, policymakers have been unveiling proposals that aim to support veterans who are struggling to find civilian jobs.