ROCKVILLE, MD — Goodwill Industries International recently announced Katie Reigelsperger as its 2023 Graduate of the Year and Taylor Devenport as the 2023 Achiever of the Year. The announcement was made at the Goodwill Delegate Assembly in Anchorage, Alaska on June 25th. Both Reigelsperger and Devenport were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in overcoming significant
My Story: Carla Thomas

It’s never too late to head back to school. Carla earned her high school diploma and a pharmacy technician certification when she enrolled in the Goodwill Memphis Excel Center. With industry-recognized training programs and dual college credit, adults looking to level up their skills can get their diploma and set their career path back on track just like Carla. Read her story and learn more about our Excel Center at the link below.
Start or Advance Your Career With Stackable Google Career Certificates: Google IT Certificates – Part II

In part 2 of our blog series on stackable credentials, we will delve deeper into the world of stackable credentials with an overview of Google’s IT certificate programs. IT stackable credentials have become prevalent as individuals seek to enhance their skills to enter or advance their careers in the industry. Google's four IT certificate programs, IT Support, Cybersecurity, UX Design, and Automation with Python, are fantastic opportunities to stack IT credentials. This blog will provide an overview of these four certificates and best practices for completion. Join us for part 2 of this 3-part blog series as we further explore the stackable credential world and see how they can be essential to new opportunities.
Summer Solstice Brings a Welcome Shift Towards New Beginnings

The summer solstice, or the long-awaited first day of summer, marks a time of warmth, growth, and renewal. As the sun shines brighter and longer, there’s a perfect opportunity to embrace new beginnings in our lives. The arrival of summer can mean so much more than bonus time spent outdoors.
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Nonprofit Partnerships Summit Highlights New Federal Funding Opportunities

Goodwill Industries International (GII) representatives joined other stakeholders for a Nonprofit Partnerships Summit at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Officials from the Commerce Department and other federal agencies shared information about their programs, resources, technical assistance, and funding opportunities for nonprofit partners to explore.
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My Story: Dakota McLaughlin

Dakota McLaughlin experienced significant challenges growing up. His mother passed away when he was young, and he was also bullied at school, especially when he came out as gay, which often left him feeling alone. After experiencing domestic violence from a family member, Dakota felt safer leaving home, even though he had nowhere else to go. “I dropped out of school and ended up homeless,” Dakota said. “I fell in with the wrong crowd and started using methamphetamines. My life quickly spiraled out of control.”
Last Minute Father’s Day Starter Pack for Your Favorite Mets Baseball Fan

Father’s Day is just around the corner. It’s so close, in fact, that even with expedited shipping, any gift you order online won’t be able to come in time. But! If you haven’t found the perfect gift for a sports loving dad you’ve come to the right place. If your dad is a die-hard sports fan, or specifically, a New York Mets fan like mine, there’s no better way to celebrate than by giving him a thoughtful and unique gift that he can use all year to represent his favorite team. The best part about it? Especially if you live in the same area as your dad’s favorite team, you won’t need to depend on unreliable shipping to get what you need. Instead, check out the second-hand treasures at Goodwill to find the perfect present for dad.
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Join the Affordable Connectivity Week of Action

The lack of affordable high-speed internet service in many households has made it difficult for millions of Americans to access virtual learning, find jobs, and participate in the digital economy. Data from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shows that about one in five U.S. households have no home internet connection. Moreover, historically underserved populations and communities are most acutely impacted by the nation’s digital divide. The Pew Research Center finds that around 40 percent of adults with lower incomes do not have home broadband service or a computer, one quarter of black teenagers say they are at least sometimes unable to complete their homework due to a lack of digital access, and 25 percent of adults ages 65 and older report never going online.
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Skills-Based Hiring for Justice-Involved Citizens

This blog covers the emergence of skills-based hiring and how it benefits job seekers with criminal backgrounds. What is skills-based hiring? What are alternative credentials? To learn more, keep reading.
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Thrifted Graduation Outfit Inspiration: Stylish, Sustainable, Smart

Graduation is a major milestone moment in our lives, bringing one chapter to a close and starting of another. It’s a day full of excitement, joy, and a sense of accomplishment. Years of studying have come to an end, and it is finally time to celebrate – you did it! Graduation should be stress-free so you can focus on all you’ve achieved, and so should selecting the perfect outfit to wear for the big day. With an eye towards sustainability and a little bit of creativity, you’ll be able to find a stylish, budget-friendly outfit that feels like you if you shop second hand at Goodwill.
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