You can do almost anything online now—watch TV, balance your checkbook, find great recipes, apply for jobs, talk to friends and family—the list is endless. But did you know you can volunteer via the Internet? Virtual volunteering is a great way to build your skills and strengthen your résumé. Virtual volunteers lend their time and talents from the comfort of home and on their own schedule. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection -- either at home or at your local library.
My Story: Robin Wilkins
I was born in Omaha, NE. I really don’t remember too much about my childhood life, but starting around ages 12-17, I found myself out of control. I went through the juvenile justice system, including youth centers and group homes, to help me learn to respect authority. I fell into gangs and violence. I didn’t really like school much, so I had problems there too. As I began to get older, I began to start settling down and trying to figure out what I was going to do with myself. I tried to slow down, go to school and get good grades, and I needed some assistance to motivate me more and keep positive.
10 Tips for a Great Cover Letter
At a time when over 12 million Americans are unemployed, the number of people applying for jobs is greater than the amount of jobs available. There are three steps to getting a job: submitting a résumé, submitting a cover letter and going to an interview. An often overlooked, but very important part of this process is the cover letter. Learning how to write a compelling cover letter will make you stand out in the crowd.
Goodwill to Issue Comments on WIA Reauthorization Bill Draft
This week, advocates for the workforce system are poring over a discussion draft of a bill that would reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The draft was released to key stakeholders — including Goodwill — by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Not updated since its enactment in 1998 and having expired in 2003, the bill’s release, albeit tardy, is a welcome action. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report called for greater alignment, coordination and streamlining of job training programs, giving fodder to critics to call for significant funding cuts for programs authorized by WIA. In May, House appropriators approved spending allocations that allow $139.2 billion in discretionary appropriations for the FY 2012 spending bill that provides funding for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. This total is 12 percent less than the amount appropriated for FY 2011 and 23 percent below Obama’s budget request.
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Celebrate Responsible Dads This Father's Day
June 19 is a day not only to celebrate fathers, but also to recognize the work that organizations nationwide are doing to help struggling fathers gain the job skills and stability they need to support their children and families. One Goodwill in particular has been working for over 10 years to support and build strong fathers because, as they note, “Good fathers make great kids.” Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota's FATHER (Fostering Actions To Help Earnings and Responsibility) Project helps metro-area fathers who are low-income, non-custodial dads to become more involved in their children’s lives. The FATHER Project’s mission is to assist fathers in overcoming the barriers that prevent them from supporting their children economically and emotionally.
Manage Your Bills by Claiming Public Benefits
According to the Urban Institute, 25 percent of American households do not claim benefits for which they are eligible. In tough economic times, many of us can greatly benefit from public benefits. Whether you are looking to pay your medical bills, increase take-home pay, afford reliable transportation, or earn education credentials, public benefits can help you cover the basic needs for you and your family.
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Transfer Your Skills to a Successful Health Care Job
Starting over in a new career field can be scary, and the prospect of returning to school to learn something new can seem overwhelming. Rest assured, even though you may not have previous experience in the career field you're looking to enter, you likely have skills that can help you be successful in your future job. The health care industry will be adding a lot of new jobs, making it a popular choice for individuals entering the workforce for the first time as well as workers looking to make a career change.
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Support Military Families and Veterans This Memorial Day
For many, Memorial Day marks the start of summer, and is a day for barbeques, trips to the beach, and time with family and friends. However, the true meaning of Memorial Day (once known as Decoration Day) is to remember the soldiers who have died in service to our country. But soldiers are not the only ones who make a sacrifice -- their families often have to make sacrifices as well. Organizations around the country are banding together to help our troops and their families gain the resources to meet their needs. If you're a military member, military spouse or veteran, the Goodwill in your community can work with you to create an individualized plan to help you identify and set realistic and achievable goals.
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Job Searching Tips for Seniors
May is Older Americans Month when Americans take time to show their appreciation and support for older individuals who enrich and strengthen local communities across the country. While many of us recognize the enormous contributions of older Americans, “companies are also increasingly focusing on this segment of the American workforce and are offering older workers more flexible work options and helping them better balance work and family issues," says Deborah Russell, Director of Workforce Issues for the AARP, a nonprofit organization for people over 50. Read on to learn about Goodwill's tips to help older workers find employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Smart Money-Saving Tips for College Graduates
For recent college graduates, May can be a time of both excitement and dread. Enthusiasm over building a new career can be tempered by the reality of paying off student loans and handling the never-ending bills. Creating a financial plan can help new graduates manage the stress associated with managing money. Whether you've recently received your diploma or know someone who has, there are many resources available to help individuals start the new chapter of their lives on the right financial foot.
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