My Story: Melissa Ross

Melissa is a participant of Goodwill Industries of Houston’s Female Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program I was a victim of an aggravated sexual assault in the first degree with a deadly weapon. I had a gun put to my head, tied up after being sexually assaulted and told I was never going home. I decided to move from Henderson, TX, down to Houston. My family and I didn’t have anywhere to go, and stayed in a car that belonged to my mom. I didn’t want to put my daughter in that situation.

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My Story: Becki Jones

My duties at Goodwill are working and hanging and grade, sorting clothing and sometimes doing wares. I have worked at Goodwill BridgePointe for 21 years altogether. I ride the bus back and forth to work every day. I like working at Goodwill with the other workers — I have always liked everyone I have worked with. I feel good that I have been able to keep a job this long. I feel more independent having my job at Goodwill in BridgePointe. I don’t like to rely on other people, and I’m proud to be on my own.

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Goodwill Honors Military Families on Memorial Day and Throughout the Year

On Memorial Day, America will honor veterans and active military service members, — something Goodwill® does every day. Since World War I, Goodwill Industries® has helped veterans transition into civilian employment. In April 2011, Goodwill Industries International committed to assist military families as well by joining the White House initiative Joining Forces.

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Goodwill Expands Commitment to America’s Heroes and Their Families

A new initiative from Goodwill Industries International will expand the organization’s job training, placement and employment services programs to thousands of American veterans, as well as their spouses and families. The Goodwill® for America’s Heroes and Their Families program comes in response to an urgent call from First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden asking all Americans to do more to help serve the nation’s military families

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Senator Shaheen Recognized by Goodwill Industries®

Goodwill Industries International is pleased to honor Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) as a recipient of its National Policymaker Award for 2011. This award recognizes a federal policymaker who has demonstrated support for the public policy priorities of Goodwill® and is an advocate of the organization’s job training programs. Goodwill’s mission is to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating challenges to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.

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Balance Career, Family and Finances as a Single Mother

Balancing a career, family and finances is one of the biggest challenges facing single mothers today. According to the Women's Economic Security Campaign, the unemployment rate for women who maintain families was 11.3 percent in 2010—the highest rate in the past 25 years. As single mothers look to find jobs and support their families, Goodwill can offer a range of services to help families achieve economic self-sufficiency.

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Walmart Foundation and Goodwill® Assist Single Mothers

A new program, funded by the Walmart Foundation and administered by Goodwill®, empowers single mothers with all the tools they need to find employment, succeed in the workplace and permanently support their families. The Walmart Foundation’s grant of $ 2.5 million will support the program, known as Beyond Jobs, at Goodwill agencies in the five key markets of Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles County, Detroit, and New York City, through 2012. The funding has already assisted single mothers with job training and placement at select locations.

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Florida Woman Becomes an Advocate for People Who Are Blind

Goodwill Industries International recently named Sandra Martin one of its 2010 Kenneth Shaw Graduates of the Year for her tireless work to improve the lives of people with visual impairments and disabilities in her community. Martin began losing her vision 30 years ago as a result of juvenile diabetes. She lost her sight completely when her daughter was just a few weeks old. When her daughter was in high school, Martin overheard someone telling the teen that she’d have to take care of her mother for the rest of her life. In that moment, Martin decided she needed to find a job to become more independent.

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Goodwill Industries® Honors Joy Diolosa with the 2010 Edgar J. Helms Award for Graduate Staff

Columbus, GA. — Doctors told Joy Diolosa’s parents that she would never walk and that her congenital birth defects — including scoliosis and a club foot — could keep her from working. Diagnosed later in life with paranoid schizophrenia, Diolosa’s mounting disabilities were nothing compared to the cruel treatment she received from co-workers. After being

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