Give Old Furniture a New Life with Fabric and Mod Podge

So, you thrifted a piece of furniture that you love, but it needs a serious facelift. If the size, design, and functionality are perfect for your needs, but the unfinished or outdated surface could use a little work, here’s an idea for you: add fabric instead of paint! This is such a fun way to

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Project Declutter: Spring Cleaning Challenge!

What if a magazine sent a professional organizer to your home for a huge makeover? This April’s issue of Woman’s Day kicked off the first in a four-part series called “Project Declutter.” I worked with two families, one in Illinois and one in Michigan, and we tackled their closets, kitchens, home offices and other trouble spots. I’m so excited to share the results!

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America’s Budget Process: A Return to Normalcy?

In 1920, presidential candidate Warren Harding campaigned on a “return to normalcy” promise after the end of World War I, a war that unhinged most of Europe from aristocratic rule and left many more people disillusioned. After the calamity of the Great Recession of 2008-2011, many Americans also became disillusioned with their government. What Americans needed was for their elected leaders to work together to right the ship of state. What they got instead were constant ideological battles, an inability or unwillingness to work together, and threats of government defaults, shutdowns and sequesters. But this year Congress might have finally woken up and listened.

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Advance Your Career by Conducting an Informational Interview

Arjuli from Roanoke, VA, asks,"I really want to work for this company in my town, but they don't have any job or volunteer opportunities available. What can I do?"

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Atlanta High School Students Showcase Thrifted Fashions through ‘Prom Remixed’ Essay Contest

Goodwill of North Georgia recently teamed up with fashion blog The2econdFloor.com to hold a Prom Remixed Essay Contest for students at Grayson High School in Loganville, GA. Three students won the contest after writing a 500-word essay about their view on incorporating used and/or repurposed clothing into their personal style.

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My Story: Dwayne Hodges

After his release following nine years in prison, Dwayne didn't know how he was going to find a job and gain independence with his record. Goodwill gave him a chance and took away his anxiety about reentering the workforce. He says, "Thank you, Goodwill, for helping me regain me."

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Hold a Baby Shower on a Budget with Items from Goodwill®

I love showers! Baby showers, wedding showers and April showers (because they bring May flowers!). So when I realized that one of my dearest friends, Robyn, didn't have a plan for a baby shower, I sprang into action enlisting the help of my craftiest friends to create a shower for her that she would never forget.

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Congressional Job Training Debate Focuses on a False Choice

The editorial page of this Sunday’s Washington Post featured the article, “Congress debates the future of job-training program.” Rather than presenting a refreshing and balanced perspective on an important, yet long-delayed, piece of legislation, the editorial rehashed an old partisan debate over a false choice: Should the nation’s network of job training programs be consolidated or not?

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Dealing with Disappointment at Work? It’s All in Your Head

Katarina from Savannah, GA, asks, “I just found out that I didn’t get a promotion I was really hoping for. I’m so frustrated and angry! How am I going to get past this and keep working with these people?”

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Goodwill® Helps Youth Build Promising Careers through Job Training and Education

The Lufkin Goodwill’s YouthBuild program is made possible by one of 74 Department of Labor grants distributed to community-based organizations throughout the country and will focus specifically on the construction industry. Over two years, it will help 64 18-to-24-year-old students in rural Angelina and Nacogdoches counties advance their education and job skills in order to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The area’s unemployment and poverty rates for this age group are 23.92 percent and 18.92 percent respectively, compared to national rates of 18.5 percent and 15.3 percent; the graduation rate is 67.83 percent versus 71.7 percent nationally.

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My Story: Kyle Plaza

After experiencing a traumatic brain injury in a car accident, Kyle faced new challenges in finding and maintaining a job. Through a special program at Goodwill, Kyle made the connections he needed to land an internship at an auto shop, which later translated into a permanent job. He has regained his driver's license and now enjoys more freedom.

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When Will Our Generation Take a Stand for Jobs?

My Facebook feed was filled this week with posts and pictures of people commenting on the recent cases before the Supreme Court. I walked past the people who lined up for days in order to get a glimpse of the oral arguments, and I started to think about what motivates them to take action. Why aren’t people showing the same level of engagement when it comes to issues before Congress?

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