Labor Day marks the end of summer – a time when kids go back to school, public pools close, vacations cease, and Congress goes back in session after a long recess. While the Senate did remain in session over much of August, not everyone showed up for votes and they made little progress on approving
Category: Advocate
Local Goodwill® Organizations Host Lawmakers
With Labor Day next week it’s hard to believe that summer is already coming to an end. This summer many local Goodwill organizations have taken advantage of the August congressional recess to engage with their elected officials by having them visit their locations to see firsthand the work and services they provide in their communities.
TANF turns 22: The Role of Income Assistance in Fighting Poverty
This week, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program turns 22. This amazing program provides temporarily assistance to families with children who are experiencing poverty. The program has been proven to be both vital to short- and long-term success for families and children by providing critical assistance where needed across the country. So where are we
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Is Wayfair “Not Fair” to Nonprofits?
On June 21, the Supreme Court ruled on a case that is already causing some major ramifications for e-commerce sales across the country. In Wayfair v. South Dakota, the state legislature enacted a state law requiring many businesses selling online to state residents to collect and remit state sales tax to South Dakota. The Supreme Court decided in June that the South Dakota law is valid; overturning its own previous decisions regarding the matter and signaling to states nationwide that related state laws may be constitutional.
Be a Voter this November
Election Day 2018 is less than 90 Days away. And as states across the country wrap up their primaries voters are starting to focus their attention on this year’s midterm elections. With this election right around the corner, Americans should do what’s needed to make sure they can cast a vote this November. One might
The Not So Lazy Hazy Days of Summer
The August Congressional recess is well known as a time when DC commuters spend a little less time in traffic, Hill staffers can take lengthy vacations, and those who are in the office can be found in shorts and flip flops. However that isn’t the case this year, at least not on the Senate side. While the House of Representatives is in recess until September 4th, the Senate has only a scheduled a recess until August 15th. Allowing Senators two weeks to return to their home states to host town halls, conduct organizational site visits, and meet with constituents.
Celebrate the 28th Anniversary of the ADA by Helping to Pass the Able Age Adjustment Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. To celebrate the 28th anniversary of its enactment, visit GII’s Legislative Action Center and ask your legislators to support the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S.817/HR 1874). This bill would increase the eligibility for Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts for onset of disability from prior to age 26 to prior to age 46 so that millions more people with disabilities can take advantage of this important savings tool.
Executive Order on Workforce Training
During an event at the White House, President Trump announced commitments from private companies to create jobs for students and mid-career workers and provide training and retraining to more than 3.5 million people over the next five years, while signing an executive order to create a council focused on the issue of workforce training.
Nonprofits Can Help Increase Voter Turnout
Nonprofits like Goodwill® play a unique role within our American society. In addition to providing needed services to communities across the country, nonprofits have the potential to help strengthen our democracy by helping to increase voter participation and turnout.
Goodwill® Celebrates the 4th of July
The 4th of July has long been one of my favorite holidays. As I sit around with my friends and family eating all the hamburgers and hot dogs humanly possible it’s difficult to not appreciate the country we call home. Over 242 years our founding parents gathered together to establish a new country and a new system of government. Rather than being governed by a royal family like those in Europe, this new nation would be ruled by the people. The founding fathers and mothers, many in their early 20s and 30s, understood the importance of allowing the people to voice their opinion and to have their say about the individuals and laws that would govern their new nation.
Celebrating the Class of 2018
It’s graduation season, a rite of passage for students around the country. In my own family, my five year old niece graduated from pre-school, my eighteen year old cousin graduated from high school, and my thirty nine year old brother graduated from his plumbing apprenticeship program. Within the Goodwill® network, hundreds of graduates are exiting the Excel Center, an alternative adult high school started by Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana and now replicated in around the country.
The Value of Advocating for our Values
When Reverend Edgar Helms founded what became Goodwill Industries® at the turn of the century, many of the families he served in south Boston were immigrants. For decades, many local Goodwill organizations have supported immigrants as they integrate into their new communities.
