When Taylor Devenport was young, she says she was a fearful little girl who was afraid of her own shadow. Born two months premature, she faced developmental delays that led to struggles in reading, writing and math. While in high school, she needed extra time to complete class work and was enrolled in special education classes to address her learning challenges. In recognition of how far she’s come from seeking Goodwill services to happily providing assistance to others as a senior job coach, Taylor recently received the Goodwill Industries International 2023 Achiever of the Year award.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
My Story: Katie Reigelsperger
Through grit, determination and tenacity in taking full advantage of professional development opportunities at Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana (Indianapolis), Katie Reigelsperger overcame tremendous obstacles in her path to become an entrepreneur focused on helping others succeed. This June, Katie was recognized for her growth and achievements with the Goodwill Industries International Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year award. The award recognizes an outstanding person with a disability or disadvantaging condition who completed a Goodwill career services program and is competitively employed by a non-Goodwill employer.
Backyard BBQ Outfits That Will Keep You Cool, While Looking Hot
Backyard barbeque season is finally here! Kicking off with the Fourth of July, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than hanging out with friends and family with some deliciously grilled food. Whether you’re gearing up for a relaxing day outdoors or are looking to dress to impress for a fireworks show, Goodwill has you covered when it comes to amazing statement pieces for your outfit.
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House Committee Examines Skills-based Pathways to Good Jobs
The House Education and Labor Committee recently held a hearing titled “Competencies Over Degrees: Transitioning to a Skills-Based Economy” that examined how federal policies could help facilitate skills-focused education and hiring. In her opening statement, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) argued for building up alternative pathways for learning and skills attainment, as well as prioritizing skills-based hiring across industry sectors and occupations.
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My Story: Carla Thomas
It’s never too late to head back to school. Carla earned her high school diploma and a pharmacy technician certification when she enrolled in the Goodwill Memphis Excel Center. With industry-recognized training programs and dual college credit, adults looking to level up their skills can get their diploma and set their career path back on track just like Carla. Read her story and learn more about our Excel Center at the link below.
Start or Advance Your Career With Stackable Google Career Certificates: Google IT Certificates – Part II
In part 2 of our blog series on stackable credentials, we will delve deeper into the world of stackable credentials with an overview of Google’s IT certificate programs. IT stackable credentials have become prevalent as individuals seek to enhance their skills to enter or advance their careers in the industry. Google's four IT certificate programs, IT Support, Cybersecurity, UX Design, and Automation with Python, are fantastic opportunities to stack IT credentials. This blog will provide an overview of these four certificates and best practices for completion. Join us for part 2 of this 3-part blog series as we further explore the stackable credential world and see how they can be essential to new opportunities.
Summer Solstice Brings a Welcome Shift Towards New Beginnings
The summer solstice, or the long-awaited first day of summer, marks a time of warmth, growth, and renewal. As the sun shines brighter and longer, there’s a perfect opportunity to embrace new beginnings in our lives. The arrival of summer can mean so much more than bonus time spent outdoors.
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Nonprofit Partnerships Summit Highlights New Federal Funding Opportunities
Goodwill Industries International (GII) representatives joined other stakeholders for a Nonprofit Partnerships Summit at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Officials from the Commerce Department and other federal agencies shared information about their programs, resources, technical assistance, and funding opportunities for nonprofit partners to explore.
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My Story: Dakota McLaughlin
Dakota McLaughlin experienced significant challenges growing up. His mother passed away when he was young, and he was also bullied at school, especially when he came out as gay, which often left him feeling alone. After experiencing domestic violence from a family member, Dakota felt safer leaving home, even though he had nowhere else to go. “I dropped out of school and ended up homeless,” Dakota said. “I fell in with the wrong crowd and started using methamphetamines. My life quickly spiraled out of control.”
Last Minute Father’s Day Starter Pack for Your Favorite Mets Baseball Fan
Father’s Day is just around the corner. It’s so close, in fact, that even with expedited shipping, any gift you order online won’t be able to come in time. But! If you haven’t found the perfect gift for a sports loving dad you’ve come to the right place. If your dad is a die-hard sports fan, or specifically, a New York Mets fan like mine, there’s no better way to celebrate than by giving him a thoughtful and unique gift that he can use all year to represent his favorite team. The best part about it? Especially if you live in the same area as your dad’s favorite team, you won’t need to depend on unreliable shipping to get what you need. Instead, check out the second-hand treasures at Goodwill to find the perfect present for dad.
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Join the Affordable Connectivity Week of Action
The lack of affordable high-speed internet service in many households has made it difficult for millions of Americans to access virtual learning, find jobs, and participate in the digital economy. Data from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shows that about one in five U.S. households have no home internet connection. Moreover, historically underserved populations and communities are most acutely impacted by the nation’s digital divide. The Pew Research Center finds that around 40 percent of adults with lower incomes do not have home broadband service or a computer, one quarter of black teenagers say they are at least sometimes unable to complete their homework due to a lack of digital access, and 25 percent of adults ages 65 and older report never going online.
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Skills-Based Hiring for Justice-Involved Citizens
This blog covers the emergence of skills-based hiring and how it benefits job seekers with criminal backgrounds. What is skills-based hiring? What are alternative credentials? To learn more, keep reading.
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