Find My Goodwill

Building a Better Back to School

Student wearing a blue face mask walks along a covered campus walkway, carrying a green notebook and a backpack.

For many students, this back-to-school season brings with it a host of new and unprecedented challenges to achieving educational goals. Across the country, local Goodwill organizations have partnered with community colleges to support low-income and non-traditional students in accessing and completing programs that lead to in-demand credentials.

7 Trends Coming to a Classroom Near You

Smiling child in a tie-dye shirt displays artwork at a classroom table.

Wondering what back-to-school trends will make the grade? We’re sharing the Cliffs Notes version of how to help your kids start the school year in style. Here are some of this year’s most popular items and trends — ones that are sure to earn an them A+!

Be an Informed Voter

Patriotic graphic with stars and stripes and a central badge reading VOTE Presidential Election 2020.

At the time of this writing, the Republican National Convention (RNC) is wrapping up. The RNC came on the heels of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which convened last week. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that a well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy, and we encourage you to read through the priorities and platforms that were unveiled during the conventions. 

My Story: Patrick Curtis

Smiling man with dreadlocks in a purple shirt sits at a desk with a laptop.

This past year has been one of transition for Patrick Curtis. After working for his family business for nearly 10 years, he discovered Goodwill’s Careers in Technology (CiT) program in the fall of 2019. At that time, he viewed a Goodwill mission moment that was shared at a board of directors meeting for the YMCA Express at Gainsboro. Not only did the mission moment spark Patrick’s interest, but it also provided him with the realization that he could have the opportunity to work where his passion lies — in information technology.

How to Address Microaggressions You Have Experienced in the Workplace

Confident professional woman in a blue sleeveless top stands with arms crossed in a modern conference room.

Microaggressions are thinly veiled, everyday instances of discrimination. They can range from insults to  comments or gestures. While they may not seem as damaging as more overt forms of oppression, they are harmful to our communities. Often, people are not quite sure how to address it when they are on the receiving end of a microaggression in the workplace, so we’ve compiled some tips to get you started.

Goodwill Helps Make Your Home Learning Space Functional and Fun

Green action figure toy beside bright red gear shapes in a retail display

Back-to-school is going to be a lot different for many students (and teachers!) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many local schools opting for an online start to the year, students from kindergarten to grad school will be learning from home. Goodwill can help you create a functional and fun home learning space, including furniture, organization systems and decorations.

Microaggressions and the Harm They Cause

Person with curly hair holds their head with both hands in a bright office setting, conveying stress.

Communities across the world are discussing and working through long-lasting societal problems around systemic discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia and more. Education is key to understanding how systemic discrimination and racism impacts each of us, pervades our daily lives, and negatively impacts the lives and futures of people of color. As we all learn ways to become anti-racist, it’s important to learn about microaggressions and how to address them in the workplace.

Four Creative Ways to Create A Productive Remote Work/Learning Space

Young girl with curly hair in denim overalls typing on a laptop at a bright classroom table.

I don’t remember much about elementary school — it feels like a lifetime ago! — but some life advice my fourth-grade teacher gave to the class has stuck with me through the years: Find a spot in your home that is your dedicated work space. Choose anywhere you can focus, but not your bed. When you separate an area to be solely for work — not work and sleep — you’ll be more productive.

Voting in the Time of COVID-19

Person's legs visible inside a blue curtained voting booth at a polling station.

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote. Just over 55 years ago, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. I’ve always enjoyed the process of voting, reflecting on the sacrifices people have made so I can exercise my right, chatting with neighbors from my community, thanking poll workers and campaign staff, and of course receiving my “I voted” sticker.

Assessing Your Skills for the Job You Want

Three white ribbons labeled Education, Skills, Experience with green checkmarks on teal background.

One constant in the job market is change. Whether that change is the result of a pandemic, normal economic cycles, or ever-evolving technology, our ability to compete means we’ll need to be lifelong learners.

Back-to-School Fabulous!

Child with braided hair studies at home, writing at a desk while a teacher appears on a laptop screen during a video call.

It’s August, which means it’s time to spiff up for the school year. Although the reality of the pandemic means that this coming school year might look a little bit different for a lot of us. So when we think about our typical back-to-school shopping trip — for whatever it might look like in the fall — the choices you make in your purchases might look a bit different this year, too.