RETHINKING OUR PRIORITIES: EARTH DAY IS EVERY DAY

Unless you’ve been under a rock for a year, you’ve probably noticed everything is getting expensive these days. We’re all paying more for food, gas, rent, utilities– inflation is rearing its ugly head again and hitting us where it hurts. The one good thing about these tight times is that it often makes us rethink our priorities.

Why Sustainable Shopping Should Include Repairs

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means for something to be “new.” The most frequent way we hear about it in terms of clothing is something that’s “new with tags.” What I’ve learned from my years of thrifting is that you can find things still new with tags at second-hand stores like Goodwill. […]

HOW SHOPPING AT GOODWILL CAN HELP YOU DO YOUR PART FOR THE PLANET

Municipal solid waste landfills, aka landfills that accept household trash, are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. In 2019, the United States alone accounted for more than 15% of these emissions – which have been proven to have a detrimental impact on warming temperatures across the globe. This Earth Week, it’s important to understand the truth in these statements, which can sometimes start to feel blanketed instead of something that directly influences our everyday lives. It’s also important to re-learn, or for many, learn for the first time how you can incorporate the ‘3 Rs’ reducing, reusing, and recycling, into your life in a way that benefits both you and the environment.

Biden Marks April as Second Chance Month

The American workforce is experiencing a period of unprecedented disruption where many employers struggle to find qualified workers to fill over 11 million job openings. But for many jobseekers with a criminal background, particularly those reentering the workforce after incarceration, finding employment can be a daunting hurdle to overcome. President Joe Biden recently issued a proclamation marking April as Second Chance Month, a time to raise awareness of the challenges facing people that have been involved in the criminal justice system and to spotlight the important work being done by community-based organizations like Goodwill to empower these individuals to achieve career and life success.

Biden’s FY2023 Budget Proposal

The administration recently submitted its FY23 budget proposal to Congress, outlining three core values: “fiscal responsibility, safety and security at home and abroad, and a commitment to building a better America.” The $5.8 trillion proposal budget details for the President’s “Unity Agenda” announced at the State of the Union in February, which aims to tackle the opioid crisis, bolster the mental health system, and fund research for his Cancer Moonshot program. However, the administration declined to outline the costs of elements from the president’s signature Build Back Better (BBB) bill as negotiations may continue. Instead, the proposal includes a placeholder for further action in the form of a “deficit-neutral reserve fund” to pay for key components of what was in the BBB, without providing specifics on the costs of such proposals – such as restarting the Child Tax Credit, Universal Pre-K, or fighting climate change.

Be an Advocate and Participate in Goodwill’s Virtual Advocacy Day

Today, nearly 100 Goodwill advocates including organization presidents and CEOs, mission leaders, communication professionals, volunteer board members, and more will meet virtually with hundreds of lawmakers and staff to discuss investments in America’s workers; changes to the workforce development system; and the impact of tax policies on nonprofits. They will be educating Congress about the role that Goodwill plays in their community.

Score Spring Style Trends at Goodwill

Is it just me, or does the first warm day get you excited to shop for spring trends? In New York City, Fashion Week just ended, getting everyone excited for fall and winter styles for the upcoming year. This was the first time I’d had the chance to go to some shows in person since 2020, so it was especially exciting to see the fashion community showing up dressed to the nines in some awesome looks that showed they were also ready for spring.

Federal Funding for FY22 is Enacted

Approximately six months into Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill, funding the government for the remainder of the year, which ends on September 30.  Until this point, the government had been running on a series of short-term continuing resolutions, the last of which was set to expire on March 11.  While the House and Senate passed the measure before the deadline, another short-term resolution was put in place until March 15 to allow time to prepare the bill for the President’s signature. 

A Moment of Reflection and Celebration

Over the past two years, COVID has had a drastic impact on our lives, livelihood and economy contributing to a loss of jobs, security, and nearly one million lives nationally.  While we take a moment and reflect on what was lost during this time, it is important to celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish together.

Highlights from the State of the Union

In his first State of the Union Address, President Biden had to balance discussing major challenges — both foreign and domestic — while noting points of optimism and hope where there can be bipartisan agreement on how to move the nation forward as the pandemic begins to subside.

Shutdown Averted…Again

Congress reached a bipartisan agreement to extend government funding from February 18 to March 11. The stopgap funding measure gives appropriators more time to draft and enact a final omnibus government funding bill for FY 2022 which began last October and ends September 30, 2022.

A Romantic Valentine’s Date Night That Won’t Break the Bank

As February 14th approaches, retail stores are shouting reminders from pink and red window displays to not forget to pick up something special for your special someone. The sentiment to spoil your loved ones is something to consider all throughout the year, not just one day! This means thinking about how your actions or gift might go further than just one night and have a lasting impact. Try gifting from the heart this year, thinking about experiences and sentiment more so than material items.