Coming Together to Ignite Change

Recently I attended a discussion on citizen activism and coalition building. In order to advance the public policy priorities of Goodwill® and the people we serve, I often have to work within coalitions made up of broad interests. I also wanted to learn more about what motivates citizens to become engaged. Little did I know that the conversation would lead me to reflect on not only how the lessons learned can be attributed to my work and the work of Goodwill, but also my own personal experiences.

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How to Include Education in Your Career Plan

Putting together a career plan means more than just thinking about what jobs you want to have. It requires you to think about your interests, values, skills and preferences; explore the life, work and learning options available to you; and ensure that your work fits with your personal circumstances. Learn more about how to include education in your career planning efforts in Goodwill's latest career advice post.

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First Class of Long Beach High School Students Graduate from CNA Program

Last month, recent high school graduates pursuing health care careers received a certification for completing the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) training program run by Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (Long Beach, CA). The Long Beach Unified School District collaborated with Long Beach Goodwill last year to start healthcare academy programs involving three different high schools. The academies provide a career path for low-income students who do not necessarily have college plans, but demonstrate an interest in working in the health care field. If students successfully complete their high school’s academy, they are eligible to enroll in the Goodwill CNA program, free of charge.

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Vintage Goodwill® Finds: The Possibilities Are Endless

When it comes to buying vintage at a reasonable price, you can’t do better than Goodwill®. Although antique shops and curated secondhand stores may be more obvious places to browse when you’ve got vintage on your mind, their for-profit markups can be disappointing. Goodwill’s mission, on the other hand, is not to make a profit, but to better the local community. That means you will be able to get much more bang for your buck when shopping at Goodwill (and you can feel good about your purchases, too)!

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In NE, Goodwill and DHHS Partner to Place Unemployed Workers in Jobs

The state of Nebraska has employed the assistance of Nebraska Goodwill agencies for a new four-year state pilot program called GoodHire. Through the initiative, employers will receive up to $4,000 of a workers wages for the first six months of employment if the individual receives welfare benefits. Funding for GoodHire comes from state grants through the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, also part of federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

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Urge Congress to Renew Programs That Reduce Recidivism

The sad facts are that the United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world, with approximately 2.3 million people in prisons or jails. Of the 700,000 people who are released from prison each year, approximately two-thirds will return within three years of their release. In response to these disturbing statistics, Congress enacted the Second Chance Act in 2008, which is up for reauthorization this year, to establish and shape programs that aim to help returning prisoners successfully transition back into and positively contribute to society.

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Don’t Let Public Transportation Delays Ruin Your Day — Or Your Career!

Joe from San Francisco, CA, asks, "I just got a new job and will be taking the bus to work. When the bus is supposed to show up and actually shows up are completely different — it can be really unpredictable, and I'm worried I may be late occasionally. How should I address this with my boss?"

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