Category: The Goodwill Blog

After agreeing to host my nephews and niece for a subzero winter overnight, I began to worry about the entertainment possibilities. I was determined that we wouldn’t spend the evening in front of the television, so I bundled up, got in the car and headed up to one of my favorite Goodwill® stores. I thought we could just do a craft of some kind. I would buy some wooden odds and ends and get out paint, glitter, glue, etc. The wood aisle at Goodwill always supplies my needs, so that’s where I headed. But right before my eyes, I spotted a shelf/coat hanger combination piece made from pine, that had three holes in one side. I didn’t spend time trying to figure out what it was used for in the past, but instantly thought of the possibility of making a Goodwill-sourced cornhole game. BINGO! Entertainment idea solved.

READ MORE from Keep Kids Entertained with DIY Games from Goodwill®

The White House has referred to the theme of President Obama’s State of the Union (SOTU) as “Opportunity for All.”  While watching, I was able to identify a number of opportunities for Goodwill® advocates to advance efforts that support the people we serve. Depending on which news channel you follow and which papers you read,

READ MORE from What the President’s State of the Union Address Means for Goodwill® Advocates

Since Indianapolis Goodwill's Excel Center charter school opened in 2010, more than 400 adults have earned their diplomas through the program.

READ MORE from Dropouts Get a Second Chance at Indianapolis Charter School

After surviving an assault, and bout with breast cancer, Samantha's outlook on life was left with very little hope. Ready for her life to get back on track Samantha took an opportunity through Goodwill's Work Adjustment Training program. Through this program Samantha was able to gain employment and rebuild hope for her future.

READ MORE from My Story – Samantha de Roque

Having been a thrifter and thrift store donor for so long-- and having met so many thrifters in my travels-- there's one question I often get: "Do you ever see stuff you've donated out for sale?" And the answer is pretty often, actually.

READ MORE from Déjà Vu Donations: When Well-Loved Items Hit Thrift Store Racks

While “omnibus” isn’t the way most people spell relief, in our nation’s capital nothing short of a huge sigh of relief was felt as the $1.1 trillion FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill that funds every nook and cranny of the federal government passed the House and Senate by significant margins and headed for the president’s desk last week. And like most things that manage to pass Congress these days, there was a little something for everyone to like — and dislike — about the bill.

READ MORE from How Does Washington Spell Relief? O-m-n-i-b-u-s

David learned more than he bargained for when he volunteered at his local Goodwill making phone calls. He quickly started to realize the impact he was having on those in his community. After only six weeks he had gained an an understanding and perspective that would change his life.

READ MORE from My Story – David Majors

It’s common knowledge that weddings are expensive. But until I began planning my own, I didn’t realize how expensive. Stunned by the ridiculous sums I was facing, I proclaimed almost immediately that Ryan and my wedding would be thrifty and do-it-yourself. There is so much to think about from big things like location and menu to the little things that are easily overlooked (but can be surprisingly pricey) like tablecloths, ceremony programs and even cake cutting fees! Goodwill® to the rescue!

READ MORE from Ideas for Throwing an All-Thrifty Wedding

This week, Congress has been working to adopt a $1.1 trillion spending bill that will finalize government funding for the remainder of FY 2014. The bill has advanced in an uncharacteristically bipartisan manner, without finger pointing, bickering or threats of a government shutdown. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will not

READ MORE from As Congress Averts Crisis, Goodwill® Helps Heroes Get Hired

At the Urban Career Academy, a partnership between Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas and the University of Missouri Institute for Human Development, students with disabilities explore careers in accounting, human resources and retail.

READ MORE from Career Academy Offers Students with Disabilities Hands-On and Classroom Learning

When Liz Morris began to lose her vision, she lost her independence. Not one to give up in light of a challenge, she gained the knowledge needed to begin her new life. After 10 years of unemployment Liz reached out to Goodwill for help to jumpstart her professional career.

READ MORE from My Story: Liz Morris

Recently, President Obama talked about the need for stability in Washington. I trust he wasn’t talking about the Washington Monument and National Cathedral, both of which became a little wobbly after the earthquake. I’m pretty sure he was talking about the need for Congress to take care of routine business, like passing budgets and appropriations bills, reauthorizing certain laws like the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), generally not terrorizing the world over not raising the debt limit, things like that. And perhaps Congress already got the message.

READ MORE from Stability in Washington—a “Monumental” Task?