Category: The Goodwill Blog

Every time I happily enter a Goodwill store, I think, “I should be blogging for Goodwill® so that I can show people how many fabulous home furnishings they can create from all of these goodies!” I guess I hounded them long enough, because now I get to do just that! Through the years, Goodwill has been my main source for supplies of all kinds. Since we’re all thinking about Mother’s Day, I thought I’d show you a piece of rescued and reupholstered furniture that most people would pass up.

READ MORE from This Mother's Day, Get Creative with a One-of-a-Kind Gift from Goodwill®

Jed from Columbus, OH, asks, “So, I registered for the career fair, but saw something that said you were doing Google Hangouts? I’ve never done that before and am a little confused. Can you explain how I do that?”

READ MORE from Join Goodwill® for Job Seeker Google Hangouts

I’m Marisa Lynch and I’m the blogger behind newdressaday.com and author of New Dress A Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don’ts where I turn lots of not-so-hot thrifted and garage sale-d garments into fashion beauties. I’m thrilled to be a part of Goodwill’s blogging community and bring fab fashion finds your way all through the magic of Goodwill and its mission. I owe many thanks to Goodwill for allowing me a place to sift and sort through racks of color-coordinated goodies as well as for being my go-to spot to donate things that I’m just not using anymore.

READ MORE from Three Ways to Wear a White Dress This Season

When Congress failed to avert automatic spending cuts, otherwise known as “sequestration,” in early March, it felt like a non-event for many. While the airwaves were littered with the news and predictions of its impact, for people on Main Street USA, life went on pretty much as usual. This week, however, the airwaves and headlines were full of content about automatic spending cuts, causing air traffic controllers to be furloughed, resulting in flight delays.

READ MORE from Goodwill Urges Policymakers to Protect Job Training Investments

Ryan from Columbus, OH, asks, "I'm really in need of a job and feel like I've exhausted my options. I've looked in the papers, on online job sites and through social media with little luck. Is there anything I'm overlooking? I'm close to giving up."

READ MORE from Find a Job at Goodwill’s Virtual Career Fair

Ryan from Columbus, OH, asks, "I'm really in need of a job and feel like I've exhausted my options. I've looked in the papers, on online job sites and through social media with little luck. Is there anything I'm overlooking? I'm close to giving up."

READ MORE from Find a Job at Goodwill's Virtual Career Fair

A couple years ago, Goodwill Industries International instituted a program to help low-income individuals gain financial stability thanks to a grant from the Charles Schwab Foundation. In 2010, as part of this Schwab grant, Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana (Indianapolis) partnered with the Indianapolis Charles Schwab office to pilot the volunteer-based financial education program, Good Assets. Local Charles Schwab employees, as well as Goodwill® staff, teach financial education in a group setting. They also serve as financial coaches, meeting one-on-one with participants to advise on financial needs and goals. A financial coach’s roles include facilitating realistic goals, enhancing accountability and providing opportunities for practice so that participants can ultimately develop their own financial goals.

READ MORE from Volunteer-Based Financial Literacy Program Empowers Goodwill® Employees

When Jeremy graduated high school, he knew he wanted to find "a job he liked forever," but wasn't sure what it was. Goodwill helped him zero in on his career goals and he now says he wants to work at Goodwill for the rest of his life. "My job has shown me how wonderful it is to give to others," he says.

READ MORE from My Story: Jeremy Davidson

Like many Americans, the Boston Marathon bombings have led me to experience a roller coaster of emotions. One journalist noted that marathons are a place where news bumps into you. One doesn't have to seek out a story. A colleague from another organization asked me if I had a standard presentation on incorporating stories into advocacy and I pointed him in the direction of our My Story initiative. I ask you to share your uplifting story, think about how you weave those stories into your advocacy, and be sure to recognize when news bumps into you.

READ MORE from From Tragedy to Resiliency: Incorporating Stories into Advocacy Efforts

Madison from Miami, FL, asks, “I’m having zero luck applying for jobs through regular job sites. I’m thinking I need to try something new. Should I try to do something on social media?”

READ MORE from Tweet Your Way to Your Next Job Opportunity

Jenna Isaacson—independent visual journalist, Goodwill® blogger and lover of all things thrift—recently left Washington, DC, on a thrifting expedition for her documentary photo project All Thrifty States: A Visual Journey through America’s Collective Closets. Goodwill Industries is an educational partner and sponsor of the project and upcoming book that demonstrate how purchasing used items is not only environmentally friendly, but a healthy alternative to the consumerism that has pushed Americans’ spending habits to the max.

READ MORE from ‘All Thrifty States’ Comes to the East Coast with Goodwill Industries® as Educational Partner

Faith, who has a musculoskeletal birth defect, had been looking for full-time work for five years when she came to Goodwill. After completing vocational rehabilitation training, she was hired full-time as an administrative assistant and now dreams of going back to school and owning her own business.

READ MORE from My Story: Faith Weaver