Category: The Goodwill Blog

Goodwill® has provided job training and employment services since its founding more than 100 years ago. That is the heart of what we do to help Americans get back on track in good times and bad. However, there is more to what we do than helping someone who is out of work gain the skills they need to find a job. A job is just the beginning because for a lot of us, financial skills and security are just as important, especially when times are tough.

READ MORE from Leveling the Financial Playing Field for Everyone

On my way into work this morning, I made my usual stop at Dunkin’ Donuts and bought a medium $2.11 cup of coffee for the hour ride into work. At 7:08 am, I had already spent more money on a cup of coffee than many individuals in America have available to spend in an entire day. I was thinking about this more, having just read $2.00 A Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, by professors Kathryn J. Edin and H. Luke Shaefer. $2.00 A Day is readable, understandable and enlightening.

READ MORE from Could You Survive on $2 Each Day?

I was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that caused pressure on my optic nerve, and I have been visually impaired most of my life. As a young man in the late 1970s, I enrolled in a work training program at Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa (Des Moines). I was hired as a dishwasher at the Iowa State Capitol, where I worked for 14 years. I later worked for the Iowa Department for the Blind for two years. But then I did not work for a period of about 10 years.

READ MORE from My Story: Randy Bakker

Every March 17, I wake up, head to my closet to get dressed, and I’m surprised to see that there is not a green shirt in sight. “Ugh, that’s right!” I’ll remember, with frustration, thinking about how my lack of planning will get me pinched repeatedly throughout the day. How could I have let this happen again? You see, green just doesn’t look great on me and the other 364 days of the year pass perfectly fine without my incorporating green into my wardrobe. Then comes St. Patrick’s Day and I remember how I promised myself the previous year that I would just get something green to wear for one day to avoid all of the pain.

READ MORE from Going Green for St. Patrick’s Day

Every March 17, I wake up, head to my closet to get dressed, and I’m surprised to see that there is not a green shirt in sight. “Ugh, that’s right!” I’ll remember, with frustration, thinking about how my lack of planning will get me pinched repeatedly throughout the day. How could I have let this happen again? You see, green just doesn’t look great on me and the other 364 days of the year pass perfectly fine without my incorporating green into my wardrobe. Then comes St. Patrick’s Day and I remember how I promised myself the previous year that I would just get something green to wear for one day to avoid all of the pain.

READ MORE from Going Green for St. Patrick's Day

Each year the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program puts billions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income taxpayers nationwide. The VITA program is an IRS program designed to help low and moderate-income taxpayers complete their annual tax returns at no cost. The program was originally founded in 1971 and the concept is to provide local taxpayers with free tax return preparation by accounting students, in effort to provide both a valuable community service and a powerful hands-on learning experience for the accounting students. The program grew from a small group of dedicated accounting students to what is now a nationwide program that serves millions of taxpayers.

READ MORE from Help Hardworking Americans Receive Tax Returns on March 15

At Goodwill Industries International, we believe that having a job is not enough. The path to self-sufficiency and financial independence requires more than just a paycheck. One of our primary focuses, financial coaching, has taken the asset building world by storm in the last decade. There are several characteristics associated with a successful coaching relationship.

READ MORE from Could Your Financial Success Begin with a Coach?

As you count down the months you have left before baby arrives, you’re probably watching your bank account get smaller, too. It’s remarkable how much stuff babies need, am I right? Of course some of it seems unnecessary at the out-start, but in my experience, if it buys mom and dad even three minutes of quiet to sit down, prepare a meal, or use the bathroom, then it’s worth every penny. Still, splurging on all new gear would be a serious budget buster so thrifty parents turn to our old friend Goodwill®.

READ MORE from Great Expectations: Baby Prep Goodwill® Style

I recently read a blog, The Five Principles of Integrity in Elections where the author discusses a commitment to ethics which is needed in elections, particularly by election officials. I would suggest that the same five principles could be used by voters when picking a candidate, a position on an issue and engaging in political debate.

READ MORE from What Makes an Ethical Voter?

Travis McCausland is a Recognition Programs Associate at the Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. He is also a graduate of the Good Careers Academy at Goodwill of San Antonio (TX).

READ MORE from My Story: Travis McCausland

It’s unabashedly evident today, as I snuggle up with my son at home on his very first school snow day, that winter isn’t over yet. I was also reminded of this a few weeks ago when my favorite winter coat ripped right down the side, exposing my sweater-clad self to a February chill. At this point in the season, I can’t bare the thought of shelling out $100 or more for a new wool or down coat as I’d rather save my money for cute rain boots or spring-like scarves. Who’s with me? What’s a coatless lady to do? Head to Goodwill®, of course!

READ MORE from Winter Wares

Anyone who has ever planned an event before is probably reminded of the Wizard of Oz quote, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” The Goodwill Industries International’s (GII) public policy team is in the midst of planning our annual advocacy event, which includes a day on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers and staff. For our public advocates including shoppers, donors, people who have received services, and other Goodwill stakeholders – the event also includes a Virtual Advocacy Day.

READ MORE from Behind the Curtain of an Advocacy Day