In October of 2019, Della Turner found herself out of work. Everything had changed since she last searched for employment, and companies that were hiring required skills that she did not learn in her line of work. She knew it was time to update her skills. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security referred Della Goodwill Industries of Mississippi (Ridgeland) WIN Job Center, where she enrolled in digital skills training.
The House Education and Labor Committee recently held a hearing on the role of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in promoting successful reentry models for people impacted by the justice system. The committee heard testimony from a panel of witnesses that included representatives of community-based organizations, employers, and other stakeholder groups working to advance training and employment for justice-involved individuals.
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A lot has changed these past few months. A significant portion of the country has been vaccinated, restaurants have lifted capacity restrictions and indoor dining is allowed again, and stores are welcoming their customers with open arms.
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There’s nothing like a long, relaxing walk in a flower-filled park to make you appreciate the natural world around you. There is so much to be in awe of when it comes to the environment, and so much more we can do to help the Earth remain the beautiful, season-changing place we grew up with.
READ MORE from Reduce, Reuse and Repurpose – Bringing Back the 3 “R”’s
Elton spent many years out of work before coming to Goodwill. He often performed heavy manual labor to make ends meet, but the cycle eventually became burdensome, so he sought help from the Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP) at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys in Roanoke, VA.
The digital skills gap and a lack of broadband access in many households across the country has left millions of Americans at a significant disadvantage in pursuing learning and employment opportunities. In 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Pew Research Center survey demonstrated rates of internet adoption were lowest among older Americans, low-income individuals, those with a high school diploma or less, Black Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities, and people living in rural communities.
President Biden released the full version of his Administration’s fiscal year 2022 (FY22) budget, which calls for $6 trillion in spending and a deficit of $1.8 trillion. The proposal provides details for allocations for federal agencies following topline requests that were released as part of the “skinny” budget in early April.
Prior to the pandemic, the nonprofit sector employed more than 12 million people, making them the third-largest industry in the country — larger than the construction, financial services and manufacturing industries. In normal times, these organizations are on the frontlines, providing housing, food aid, transportation, childcare, and workforce development and job training services to those who need it most, while also uplifting faith, culture and quality of life in communities throughout the United States.
In response to the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on its communities, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania (Goodwill SWPA) will be providing a total of $200,000 in thrift store vouchers throughout its 17-county territory in southwestern Pennsylvania and north central West Virginia. The Goodwill will work with area nonprofit and government partners to place “Give Back” vouchers to Goodwill thrift stores into the hands of those who need them.
Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, Older Americans Month (OAM) is observed every May to recognize older Americans and their contributions to our communities. This year’s OAM theme, Communities of Strength, celebrates the strength of older adults and the Aging Network, with special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities.
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