Congress’s plate of must do legislation is full as we head into the fall. Spending bills, debt limit increases, and resolutions on Syria, are big bites to swallow in the short time between now and the end of the year. A number of other issues, pending decisions in Washington, will have real impact on many
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When I first spotted these three items at a Goodwill® near my studio, I thought I’d have two projects to share. I was going to paint the lamp base a shiny silver, add the magenta shade and call it a day. Then, when I thought about painting the walnut lamp base, it didn’t seem right; nor did it seem like it would improve the lamp in any way. After consulting with my next door studio neighbor, who happens to be a talented stylist and designer, we decided on a project that included all three items in a high-impact bedside table arrangement that anyone would be proud to show off.
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A recent column, “Building America’s Workforce,” appeared in a publication commonly read by Congressional members and staff alike. The author, Thomas Hilliard, a senior fellow in workforce development policy at the Center for an Urban Future, discusses the pressures that obstruct our nation's job training system from producing a workforce with the skills that businesses need to compete in the global economy. These pressures include the skills gap; a disjointed, multi-piece skills-building system; and underfunding.
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Frank from the Greater Cleveland area asks, "I have been out of work for more than six months and have had no luck finding a job. I am not even having any success in getting an interview. What do I need to do to get noticed?"
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Frank from the Greater Cleveland area asks, "I have been out of work for more than six months and have had no luck finding a job. I am not even having any success in getting an interview. What do I need to do to get noticed?"
READ MORE from Tips for Finding a Job When You've Been Unemployed
Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide supportive services to veteran families with very low incomes. Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, the Goodwill will join forces with six other organizations that serve veterans to provide services designed to promote stability.
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As discussed in last week’s blog, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee recently cleared legislation (S. 1356) that would reauthorize federal investments in the nation’s core job training programs. With the House having passed its Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bill on March 15, the HELP Committee’s action sets a new high-water mark in the decade-long effort to pass a reauthorization bill. Yet two significant obstacles remain before final passage.
READ MORE from Tea Leaves Reveal Significant Obstacles for Job Training Bill
Group of three students wear backpacksIn preparation for the new school year, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois (Rockford) recently partnered with Project 16:49, a local nonprofit organization, to host a backpack donation drive benefiting Rock County homeless youth. Community members were encouraged to donate school supplies and nonperishable goods for the event at the Rockford Goodwill’s Retail Store/Donation Center. Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois has also awarded seven local community colleges $31,500 in scholarship funds targeting persons with challenges to advance their education.
READ MORE from Northern Illinois Goodwill Supports Students in Their Return to School
Pamela, a lifelong track-and-field athlete, joined the Army's World Class Athlete Program after missing the Olympic team by two spots. Following her time in the military, she faced more than a year of unemployment and struggled to find a match between her military skills and civilian positions. After connecting with Goodwill, she was hired as an employment specialist and later promoted to program manager, where she now helps other veterans get back on their feet.
Yesterday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted 18-3 to advance bipartisan legislation (S. 1356) to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIA was enacted in 1998, and has not since been reauthorized. As a result, the law is long overdue for an update. Goodwill supports the bill as written and is urging the Senate to quickly bring the bill to the Senate floor.
