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.

Tell Congress to Support Investments in Workforce Development

It is clear that the Build Back Better Act passed by the House will not garner the 50 Democrat votes needed to pass the Senate as written. As Congress continues to negotiate a parred back version of the bill, it is critical that a strong investment in workforce development remains.

Galentine’s Good(will)ies

It’s that beautiful time of year again when we ladies look forward to celebrating “ovaries before bro-varies” with our besties on Galentine’s Day.

Celebrating Mentors in January

January is National Mentoring Month, a time to celebrate the contributions that mentors and mentoring programs have made to our lives and communities. Goodwill has a long history of fostering relationships through mentoring, particularly those that promote positive outcomes for youth. Goodwill youth mentoring programs connect adult mentors with young people, including those impacted by the justice system or facing other barriers to opportunity, through engagements that emphasize positive development and career awareness activities that help youth gain confidence, avoid risky behavior, stay on track to complete secondary school, and successfully transition to postsecondary education and training.

Reflecting on the Past, While Looking Toward the Future

One year has passed since many of us watched in horror as our democracy was under attack.  As I reflect on that time, I looked back at the blog I wrote in the following days.  It states, “This cannot be the norm, and our nation needs to begin healing. The divisiveness in our country has been festering for years and has reached an awful tipping point where people lost their lives.

The DIY Winter Décor Trend That’s Taking Instagram By Storm

When the cold weather hits there’s nothing better than putting on a classic favorite movie and spending some quality time indoors. Winter months bring space for curling up on the couch with family and friends, a cozy blanket and a nice warm drink. It’s no wonder that one of the season’s biggest trends is bringing the spotlight onto creative drinks and drink stations – something that’s easy to transform a small corner of the kitchen into that also makes a daily ritual of pouring a hot cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate all the more enjoyable.

The Year in Review and Resolutions Ahead

As 2021 comes to an end, it’s a good time to reflect on where we’ve been, to celebrate our successes and to plan for the future. We’ve been through a lot this year as a country – an attack on our democracy, a transition in Congress and the Administration, an ongoing pandemic, damage from storms and fires, and social injustices. We’ve been through a lot as a nonprofit sector and as an organization – furloughs, declines in donations, shifts in service delivery and now staffing shortages as we begin to recover.