As spring blooms in Washington and the cherry blossoms come to life, Congress begins one of its busiest periods. The question is, are the hopes of spring to be realized with the passage of long delayed legislation like the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), benefits for the long-term unemployed and timely consideration of FY 2015 spending bills? Or, are we being set up for a Congressional April Fools’ joke?
READ MORE from Hope Springs Anew in D.C.—or Is It April Fools?
Willa from Norman, OK, asks, "I find it really hard to say no to my coworkers—even when they're asking me to do things outside of my job duties. Are there nice ways I can turn them down without damaging our relationship?"
READ MORE from How to Say No: Navigating Non-Essential Work Requests
This past February, Goodwill of Central Arizona (Phoenix) celebrated the grand openings of two Goodwill career centers on-site at Maricopa Skill Center’s (MSC) two Phoenix area campuses. These are the first Goodwill Career Center locations to open on-site at a community college. The career centers were opened to build upon services currently offered to MSC students as well as to support career exploration for members of the community who are seeking employment.
LEE: "Since working at Goodwill, I’ve purchased a house. This past summer, I put in a garden and grew foods I love to eat. Working at Goodwill has given me back my dignity and respect."
In the movie Casablanca, Louis the French gendarme played by Claude Rains is forced by the evil Nazis to shut down Rick’s Café American. Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart, is furious about the shutdown and demands to know on what grounds his café is being closed. Louis states, “I’m shocked, shocked, to find that gambling is going on in here!” Of course that Louis is the most prolific gambler of any of Rick’s customers is what makes the announcement so ironically funny. So, too, in Washington: I am amused when one side announces that the other side is playing politics with an issue. Really, politics? In Washington? I’m shocked!
Question “With tax time getting nearer, I’m getting more stressed about getting my taxes done. There’s a lot of information out there, and it’s hard to suss out what’s true and what isn’t. Any advice you have would be appreciated.” — Max from Berea, KY Answer With so much tax-time misinformation circulating around the Internet,
Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley (Johnstown, PA) recently partnered with the Greater Johnstown Camera Club to provide teens a creative outlet through the GoodGuides youth mentoring program. An opening reception on March 11 celebrated the collaboration. The students’ work is also showcased in a photo exhibition entitled “Through My Eyes,” which is on display at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County.
READ MORE from In PA, Goodwill Collaborates with Local Camera Club for Youth Mentorship
Like it or not, advancing technology has and always will affect the labor market. What’s different (and its keeping me awake at night) is the astronomical and accelerating pace of modern advancement. That means it is critical for all workforce stakeholders – policy makers, businesses and employers, service providers and workers – to recognize that changes are soon imminent and to prepare to quickly adapt. Meanwhile, since it expired in 2003, Congress has been unable or unwilling to update the Workforce Investment Act, the primary law that authorizes and shapes the nation’s approach to job training.
READ MORE from Goodwill®, Partners Turn Labor Challenges into Opportunities
For each day of the week leading up to the first day of spring (March 20), commit to cleaning out just one part of your house and finding something you can donate. At the end of the week, visit the Donate Movement website to calculate just how much of an impact your donations will have. Use the #7DaysofSpringCleaning hashtag to share your spring cleaning adventures with Goodwill and friends.
READ MORE from Spring Cleaning: Goodwill’s One-Week Plan to Cutting Clutter
For each day of the week leading up to the first day of spring (March 20), commit to cleaning out just one part of your house and finding something you can donate. At the end of the week, visit the Donate Movement website to calculate just how much of an impact your donations will have. Use the #7DaysofSpringCleaning hashtag to share your spring cleaning adventures with Goodwill and friends.
READ MORE from Spring Cleaning: Goodwill’s One-Week Plan to Cutting Clutter
