Thomas Nelson Community College recently announced the opening of the Thomas Nelson Center for Building and Construction Trades at the Goodwill Retail Operations Center in Hampton, VA. Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia (Richmond) partnered with the school to deliver workforce training that leads to employment in well-paying jobs for a portion of the Peninsula’s population that has historically been underemployed. Individuals in this population often lack a high school diploma or GED, literacy skills, work experience, security clearance, or access to educational funding.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
My Story: Josh MrKvicka
Despite some challenges stemming from a intellectual disability, Josh MrKvicka completed high school and looked forward to the next step…a job! Josh needed help tackling the job search. After trying another agency with no luck, Josh and his family gave Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas (Kansas City, MO) a try. He and Goodwill employment specialist, Jane Siela, went to work. He now works at Freddy’s Restaurant in St. Joseph, MO as a "Lobby Guy".
Monotone Moods for Halloween
It’s hard to believe, but Halloween is just around the corner and the time for costume and décor shopping is now! One thing that I love about Halloween is how reliant the holiday is on setting a mood. I feel like this day, more than any other, is shrouded in a distinct ambiance. To achieve an eerie atmosphere, I’ve noticed that it can sometimes be as simple as streamlining everything to black and white. This emphasizes the shadows, and we all know that Halloween is a shadowy event, don’t we?
This Week, Tell Congress to Support Older Workers
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workers who are 55 and older will make up one-quarter of the civilian workforce by 2020. This stark figure demonstrates that older workers will continue to need support. You can show your support for older workers by telling Congress to support S. 192, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization of 2015. S. 192 reauthorizes the Older Americans Act and key services and programs for America’s seniors including the Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP). The Goodwill agencies that serve older adults 55 and older through SCSEP served 8361 new participants since 2006 and have placed 2444 to employment with full benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workers who are 55 and older will make up one-quarter of the civilian workforce by 2020. This stark figure demonstrates that older workers will continue to need support.
READ MORE from This Week, Tell Congress to Support Older Workers
South Bend, IN Goodwill Hosts Collaborative Drive for Veterans
After serving our country and returning home, some veterans find themselves homeless. Many receive help from local programs to get them back on their feet. But, as they transition into their own homes, they often don’t have a bed to sleep in or table and chairs. Goodwill Industries of Michiana (South Bend) committed to resolving this issue by hosting a donation drive in partnership with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. The D-Day Donation Drive, called “Operation 4D” was the first partnership of its kind for the agency.
READ MORE from South Bend, IN Goodwill Hosts Collaborative Drive for Veterans
My Story: Tina Bouatic
At age 14, my parents got divorced. They were both drinking and fighting a lot. I started hanging with the wrong crowd. I started cutting school, cutting classes and began to smoke cigarettes. Eventually, while doing drugs and drinking – I went out, stayed out late. I basically stopped going to school. I got pregnant.
How To Plan a Memorable Date Night Without Breaking the Bank
It’s almost Friday night – date night! Tonight you may be nervous about that first kiss with a new love interest or about leaving the kids at home with a new babysitter, but one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about on your long-awaited (and well-deserved!) night on the town is money. Sadly, even if you’re not taking a limo to a fancy restaurant, evenings out tend to be costly. Here are a few ways to plan a night to remember that you won’t have to work an extra shift to make up for.
READ MORE from How To Plan a Memorable Date Night Without Breaking the Bank
Celebrate Democracy by Taking Action on September 22
I remember the first time I cast my ballot in an official election. I voted for my father who was running for city council. I was so proud that day, not only of my dad, but that I was able to execute my civic duty. I was able to easily register to vote by simply filling out a form at my high school and a teacher gave the class a ton of resources to turn to in order to learn about all of the candidates on the ballot. There was a presidential election that year, so there was certainly a lot to learn.
READ MORE from Celebrate Democracy by Taking Action on September 22
#GoodwillDate Begins to Go Viral
A young Florida couple is being credited for creating what might be the next big date night trend: “Goodwill Date.” The idea was initially conceived when Cody Andrews and his girlfriend Paula Williams, were donating items and shopping at their local Goodwill store in Fort Walton Beach, FL. The duo selected a quirky outfit for each other and then went on a date without informing others of their plan.
Prepping for the Cooler Months Ahead
Before the colder weather settles in, there is much to be done. We’ll have to pull our sweaters out from their hibernation, clean up our roosts so we can settle in comfortably, and brighten the indoors with a little fall color to make the most of the season. Getting it all in order may not seem like a worthy chore now, but the inevitable mid-winter cabin fever feels even worse when the house is stiflingly cluttered or completely unchanged from last year’s lock-in. So, let’s just start autumn with a clean slate, shall we?
Congress is Back in Session and Already Behind in Assignments
Congress returned from their annual summer break in August and found themselves already behind in their homework. Awaiting completion are the FY 2016 appropriations bills, though Congress will likely need a short term continuing resolution to complete that assignment. Also due is a vote on the Iran agreement, the debt ceiling, highway bill reauthorization and funding, and finding bridge funding for the SSDI program whose trust fund runs dry in a year.
READ MORE from Congress is Back in Session and Already Behind in Assignments
Sarasota Goodwill Keeps Alive the Spirit of ’45 with Events Honoring Veterans
On August 15, women dressed as Rosie the Riveter welcomed 248 veterans and their families to a 1940s-themed party hosted by Goodwill Manasota (Sarasota, FL) to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Veterans from all military branches, wars and conflicts attended, dancing the night away to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and the Andrew Sisters.
READ MORE from Sarasota Goodwill Keeps Alive the Spirit of ’45 with Events Honoring Veterans
