My Story: Misty Robertson
An automobile accident changed Misty’s life when she was 18. She was left in a coma, lost her skin from head to toe and could no longer see out of her right eye. After extensive rehabilitation – physical, occupational and speech – Misty completed school and received her diploma.
Now, Misty has new challenges and opportunities ahead: “Through Goodwill, the things I have learned and am still learning helped me overcome all of my challenges.”
Goodwill Supports National Disability Awareness Month
Goodwill Industries is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s NDEAM theme is, “Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities.” For decades, Goodwill agencies have trained and hired people with disabilities. Goodwill provided employment training and job services to more than 240,000 individuals with disabilities last year.
people with disabilities, including youth, older workers, and military veterans.
While more employers should recognize the value of hiring people with disabilities, Congress can also do more to increase their employment opportunities.
Career Support for Young Adult with a Disability
Jeff in Bethesda, MD. asks “My niece was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was little. She’s 26 now and wants to start looking for a job. What can I do to help her?”
My Story: Nicole Brill
Before learning about supports in her community, Nicole and her daughter were living in a foreclosed home with no running water or gas for over six months. She drove an unreliable vehicle with no working brake lights, a trunk that wouldn’t latch and which wouldn’t go more than 35 mph.
After eventually finding employment with the YMCA, Nicole was referred to Goodwill’s Workers on Wheels program. She received a donated car and now feels grateful that she has a safe and dependable means of transportation to go to work and to take her daughter to school. Thanks to support from Goodwill and the YMCA, Nicole is currently pursuing a college degree and has also been able to find a stable home for her and her daughter.
Funding for Programs Important to Goodwill Remains Uncertain in Congressional Negotiations
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to a Senate-passed spending measure that provides temporary funding for the upcoming fiscal year through October 4. Congress must pass another continuing resolution (expected to be good through November 18) before the October 4 deadline.
But we are far from being out of the woods. Congress has yet to pass any of its 12 annual spending bills. Such short- and long-term uncertainty will make it even more difficult during these difficult economic times for community-based organizations like Goodwill to develop and implement sustainable strategies that help people with employment challenges find jobs and advance in their careers.
While Goodwill’s self-sustaining social enterprise generates the bulk of the funds Goodwill invests in the communities it serves nationwide, federal funds:
- Leverage programs that local Goodwill agencies operate
- Support partners in communities that provide key employment and supportive services that improve employment outcomes for the people that Goodwill serves
My Story: Darrell Hughes
Before coming to Goodwill, Darrell was in a drug court program where he had to attend mandatory drug screens and sure that he was on time for all of his appointments. Ninety days into the program, a counselor told him about Goodwill and the services that could help him get back on his feet.
He joined the Goodwill’s Access to Recovery program, which provided him with free counseling services and other work supports like bus tokens. Thanks to his own resolve and the support of Goodwill, Darrell has been sober for more than three years, and holds a paying job that allows him to provide for his family.
Goodwill Urges Smart Investments on the Jobs Front
In the midst of the wrangling taking place over temporary spending for FY 2012, U.S. House of Representatives and Senate committees that have jurisdiction over final FY 2012 spending measures are working on their respective bills. On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill to provide FY 2012 funding for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education. That bill proposes to provide $158 billion in discretionary funding for a wide range of programs including several programs that support local Goodwill agencies’ efforts to help people find jobs and advance in careers.
The Senate FY 2012 Labor, HHS, Education bill would provide:
- Approximately $2.6 billion for the Workforce Investment Act’s Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Workers funding streams
- $100 million for a Workforce Innovation Fund, a decrease compared to approximately $124 million in FY 2011
- Nearly $450 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the same amount provided in FY 2011
- More than $3.1 billion for vocational rehabilitation grants to states, an increase from nearly $3.1 billion in FY 2011
- Sufficient funds to maintain the maximum Pell grant award at $5,550.
My Story: Edward Robinson
Last year, Edward Robinson didn’t have a job and found himself living on the streets. He was recovering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol; even though he had gotten clean and sober, he felt like he had nowhere to go.
After being referred to Goodwill through rehabilitation services, Edward gained not only a job, but the opportunity to get his life back on track. Staff at Goodwill worked with Edward to help him achieve what he wanted in life and kept him working. He says his biggest accomplishment is finding an apartment to live in, and he looks forward to helping other people who are currently struggling to succeed.
Goodwill Finds Promise in American Jobs Act
During President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on September 9, 2011, he referenced the American Jobs Act (AJA), and then delivered it to Capitol Hill requesting swift passage. As one of the largest nonprofit job training providers in the country, Goodwill stands ready to support the administration and Congress in efforts to put Americans back to work. Given staggering unemployment levels and alarming recently released 2010 Census data that reveals 2.6 million more Americans fell into poverty, we believe the time to act on a jobs bill is now.
My Story: Joshua Butler
Josh, who has cerebral palsy, came to Goodwill from a difficult background. While in school, he faced challenges reading and writing, and had turned to selling drugs for a living.
Determined to build his job skills, Josh joined a Goodwill youth program in West Palm Beach, FL. There, staff connected him with software he used to learn to read and with assistive devices that helped him learn to drive. “Goodwill gave me independence and a different way of thinking,” he says. “But most importantly, Goodwill has given me the ability to believe in myself.”
Seven Style Trends to Follow This Fall
As the summer heat gives way to cooler fall temperatures, AmazingGoodwill.com resident fashion expert Bjorn Nasett offers his top seven styles trends to take wardrobes into the upcoming season.
Whether you want to man up with boot-cut slacks, tailored vests and jackets or go more girly with floral print dresses and faux fur, Bjorn has tips to add this season’s runway styles to your wardrobe with items you can find at your local Goodwill. Read on to learn how you can be fashion-forward for less this fall while supporting local programs that benefit your community and the planet.
My Story: Jason Tobey
Jason Tobey, a Marine Corps veteran who completed several tours during the Gulf War, expected to easily transition into the civilian workforce after being honorably discharged from the military. He was surprised to find, however, that not all employers looked at servicemen and women from these conflicts as favorable job candidates.
After returning to school, Jason became involved with Goodwill of Orange County’s microenterprise development program, which gave him the skills he needed to start his own business, Semper Fi Security. He’s now helping others with a military service record succeed, employing eight veterans with plans to hire more as business grows.