Page 297 – Goodwill Industries International

My Story: Johnnie Parker

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

Before coming to Goodwill®, I was out of work living in Hahira, GA, and struggling just to get gas money to come to Valdosta to look for a job. My primary work experience included auto sales and finance collections — I had 17 years in auto sales and 13 years in finance. To my disappointment, I was unable to find a job in those fields. I began looking at other careers, but my age of 65 seemed to hold me back, as many employers wanted to hire at younger ages. Besides being 65, I’m also a disabled veteran, so there were some physical requirements I was not able to meet for a lot of job openings.

Attend Community College for Career Advancement

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

In May 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the national unemployment rate was still hovering 9%. While approximately 54,000 were added in May, 63% of new job openings in the U.S. require post-high school training or a degree, with nearly 50% requiring an associate degree or better.

My Story: Aaron Hughes

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

I had major back surgery, where I had a disc taken out of my back. They took two bone grafts out of my hip. I was on full disability for about eight years. The doctors had said I would never work again, and I gave up on things, started doing drugs and ended up going to prison. In prison, I worked out every day. I started benching 350. When I got out of prison, I wanted to go back to work and get off disability. I went to rehab, and they sent me to MERS Goodwill to help me find a job that would be suitable. I could have gone back to construction, but how long was it going to take before I injured myself again? All I knew was construction — that was all I did most of my life.

My Story: Robin Wilkins

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

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

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

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

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Seth Turner

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.

Celebrate Responsible Dads This Father's Day

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

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

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

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.

Transfer Your Skills to a Successful Health Care Job

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

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.

Support Military Families and Veterans This Memorial Day

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Vanessa Cardoni

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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