If this year has taught us anything, it’s the importance of creating our own little slice of happiness in the chaos. For some of us, that means getting rid of what we don’t need. For others, it’s a shift in priorities or a change of attitude. And while we’re all eager to see this year in the rear-view mirror, there's still a lot of lessons we can carry into 2021 to create our own version of a fresh start.
A standout Goodwill Manasota team member was recently granted a multitude of reasons to celebrate this holiday season as her family was selected to be the beneficiary of the Adams and Reese Sarasota office’s HUGS Program. Goodwill Manasota employee Irma Orona and her family received items including a Christmas tree and decorations, lots of clothing — including work clothes — plentiful toys for the children, and a generous Publix gift card.
READ MORE from Community Partner Brings Holiday Cheer to One Goodwill Family
With our ever-increasing usage of technology, our “spaces” now expand into the digital sphere. That's why we are focusing on the environment behind the phone or computer screen. A decluttered work email inbox or personal phone photo collection can contribute to improved mental health and productivity.
READ MORE from Tips for Decluttering Your Digital Space Before the New Year
Gifting second-hand is so much better for the environment than shopping at traditional retail stores because it redirects gently used clothes and other goods from the landfill to your closet, where they can be put to great use.
READ MORE from Why Gifting Second-Hand Spreads Holiday Cheer Even Further
Being a professional is more than how we look, our formal education and our professional achievements. It is also the qualities, values and behaviors we choose to display in the workplace — whether working remotely or in person with others.
This holiday season: shop local, and shop secondhand. It’s easy enough to say that, but in practice? If you just took mental stock of the folks on your list and gulped, wondering how in the world to shop certain people in your life, then you might need the boost that only Goodwill aisles can bring.
Linda Sutton had a difficult upbringing and history of drug use as well as a criminal background. With the help of Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, she was able to turn her life around and is helping others to do the same.
As I write another plea, asking again for you to take action and tell Congress to provide additional COVID-19 #Relief4Charities, I am reminded of the story of Chicken Little. I feel like the main character who runs around yelling with a sense of urgency that the sky is falling. He does this so often, that no one believes him. This current request for action is not akin to the fable. Unless Congress acts, many supports included in the CARES Act, which have helped nonprofits and the communities and families we serve, will expire in a few short weeks.
READ MORE from Action Alert: Tell Congress Nonprofits Need Relief
When Gina Casteal walked into Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth looking for job training, she and her four children were homeless. They had been bouncing around different living arrangements, sometimes living with friends and family, and even living out of her car for a period of time. Their home had been foreclosed on when she was unable to pay the mortgage, and she needed help to get back on her feet.
As businesses continue to grapple with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Reserve estimates that 47 million jobs could be lost because of this crisis. This increase in unemployment has led to a surge in workers looking for new opportunities. In particular, North Carolina expects 29,640 new jobs to be added in the professional and business services field by 2021 according to the NC Department of Commerce.
