Last year, the Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program was filled with many challenges. But the pandemic also brought a few unexpected opportunities.
READ MORE from In Michigan, Goodwill’s CNA Training Program Goes Hybrid
While stores and donation sites closed during the pandemic, Goodwill of Orange County redeployed its truck drivers, trucks, trailers and even warehouse space to aid in critically needed food distribution across the county.
READ MORE from In California, Goodwill of Orange County Distributes Food During Pandemic
Mary Strickland’s difficulties with mental health began after high school. In 2007, she was a student at the local university working on a bachelor’s degree at the age of 18. Then, one day, she stopped going to class. Suddenly, she was too tired and worn out to even get dressed and drive. In 2010, she
Because of the impact of COVID-19 to the community as a whole, Goodwill Industries of Kansas added the manufacturing of face coverings to its production capabilities to supply frontline workers with critically needed PPE.
READ MORE from Kansas-Based Goodwill Manufactures Masks for Essential Workers
Since the pandemic began, volunteer placements at Goodwill Industries of Alberta (Canada) are in a holding pattern or they’ve been outright cancelled. This left many people within the Goodwill's Career Connections division without a place to contribute in the community. The Goodwill’s job development team took this challenge head-on and created “The Goodwill Volunteer Hub.”
In Dayton, OH, Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley is working to help young adults who have been involved with the justice system train for and earn employment.
READ MORE from Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley Reaches Justice-Involved Young Adults Amid Pandemic
There have been a lot of lessons learned this past year - including those that relate to the importance of making the most out of one’s space. With the exception of cleaning supplies and PPE, the “less is more” mentality has been in full swing as we spent most of our time at home. We wore less makeup, fewer pants, shoes, and purses. What this all means, is that you’re only wearing about 25% of your closet and the rest of the items in there are simply taking up space.
READ MORE from How To Create The Ultimate Sustainable Capsule Wardrobe This Spring
In celebrating Earth Day and Earth Week, the Biden Administration hosted a virtual climate summit for 40 world leaders. The President announced a commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. The summit is also an opportunity for the Administration to highlight its all of government approach to the climate crisis, including not only the heads of environmental agencies but also officials like the secretary of defense and the director of national intelligence. Prior to the summit, Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen announced the creation of a “Climate Hub” that will would "coordinate and enhance" work to "facilitate and unlock" financing for climate-friendly investments; make environmental justice central to Treasury's efforts; work to mitigate climate-related risks to the financial system; and more.
READ MORE from Congress and the Administration Focus on Climate Change
Sadly, it’s easier than ever to hurt the planet these days. With anything we desire at our fingertips, it’s also easy to forget how much of an imprint each of those little boxes that arrive on our porch really makes.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the power of work. A disability, lack of education, poverty or criminal history should not stand in anyone’s way when seeking employment. But the reality is, many people in our communities face challenges to finding work as a result of their circumstances.
