Category: The Goodwill Blog

What began as a volunteer program at Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona (Phoenix) to teach computer skills courses has expanded into a widespread volunteer program that meets critical needs throughout the region’s retail stores and career centers, allowing the Central Arizona Goodwill to offer more extensive services to an increasing number of people.The volunteer program has helped meet staffing needs at Goodwill an in keeping with its mission of putting people to work, Goodwill looks to hire many of the volunteers.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Volunteer Program in Central Arizona Strengthens Community

Shawn was a recovering addict who encountered difficult finding gainful employment. Through a friend, she was able to find temporary employment. But, during that time, Shawn's life transformed and she finally put away savings for a rainy day. Shawn now celebrates a life that has a sense of direction and purpose.

READ MORE from My Story: Shawn Walters

With Memorial Day being the unofficial kick-off to summer, I’ve got afternoon BBQs, pool parties and pre-Hollywood Bowl concert picnics on the mind! With the wool and tweed out of the closet, I need to make room for some warm weather pieces and I’ve had my eye on two easy summer dresses that would work for the season without breaking the bank.

READ MORE from Get Summer Dress Looks for Less at Goodwill®

Todd from Burlington, VT, asks, "My parents told me I have to get a job for the first time this summer. I just finished my junior year of high school -- how am I supposed to get hired with no work experience?"

READ MORE from Youth: Find a Summer Job with These Tips

Earlier this week, members of Congress observed Memorial Day in their home states and districts. Meanwhile, advocates for programs funded through non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending remain concerned about the country’s political and economic outlook. “Non-defense discretionary spending” is such a wonky term that it can lose its meaning during the process. In an effort to

READ MORE from What Political Gridlock and Disinvestment Really Mean for America

Hispanics now comprise 15 percent of the total U.S. labor force, and by 2020 that number is expected to rise to 19 percent. Despite this, many of these Hispanic workers and job seekers are not reaching their full potential. To better serve this population, a private grant in 2010 enabled Goodwill Industries International to establish Buena Vida (Good Life), a program designed to provide education and employment services for job seekers in the Hispanic community. Through this grant, Goodwill agencies are developing their Hispanic services in surrounding communities in partnership with community organizations and institutions.

READ MORE from Hispanic-Focused Services in Georgia Help Encourage a ‘Buena Vida’

As a young man, Darrell made poor life choices and ended up living in an environment filled with violence, drugs and alcohol. Although he got his life back on track, a bout with cancer caused him to have to leave the job he loved and regress back into substance abuse. The job he found at Goodwill gave him the stability he needed to progress in life and support his family. "Today, I am a better man, husband and father," he says.

READ MORE from My Story: Darrell Mallard

I have a confession to make. Although I love collecting kitchen gadgets at thrift stores, I hate cooking. The mess and the measuring completely exhaust me. Luckily, my husband-to-be loves the process, so I don’t starve! But, to be fair, I’m trying to spend more time in the kitchen. To keep my stress level low, I thought a little Spring Cleaning kitchen organization was in order.

READ MORE from Spring Cleaning: Kitchen Organization with Thrifted Jars

Last week, approximately 160 people representing Goodwill agencies all across the country came to Washington to inform members of Congress about how Goodwill helps people who have employment challenges to find jobs and advance in careers. They noted that many of our achievements depend on a public-private partnership that exists between Goodwill and government programs that leverage our resources and expertise. Unfortunately, this public-private partnership is becoming lopsided. Over the course of the past decade, we have aggressively worked to increase our capacity to do more, while government resources have steadily declined.

READ MORE from Goodwill’s Capacity Is Increasing: Can Policymakers Hold Up Their End of the Deal?

Last week, approximately 160 people representing Goodwill agencies all across the country came to Washington to inform members of Congress about how Goodwill helps people who have employment challenges to find jobs and advance in careers. They noted that many of our achievements depend on a public-private partnership that exists between Goodwill and government programs that leverage our resources and expertise. Unfortunately, this public-private partnership is becoming lopsided. Over the course of the past decade, we have aggressively worked to increase our capacity to do more, while government resources have steadily declined.

READ MORE from Goodwill's Capacity Is Increasing: Can Policymakers Hold Up Their End of the Deal?

Mallorie from Bakersfield, CA, asks, “I’ve been applying for jobs for several months now with no luck. All of these ‘no’s and lack of responses are making me feel pretty hopeless. What am I supposed to do?”

READ MORE from Three Strategies for Managing Rejection in Your Job Search

Jim Gibbons at Sarnia receptionOn May 5, Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Hines performed a free concert to kick off a year-long 80th anniversary celebration of Goodwill Industries – Essex Kent Lambton (Sarnia, ON). HVM Holdings and Glenn Recycling sponsored the concert, which was held at the Imperial Theatre. On May 6, Jim Gibbons, the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, spoke at a breakfast hosted by the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce.

READ MORE from Sarnia Goodwill Kicks Off Year-Long Anniversary with Free Concert and Welcome Luncheon