Marcos from Albuquerque, NM, asks, “I’m in a bit of a financial bind and could really use my tax refund right now. There’s a tax preparation service down the street that says they can give me my money in 24 hours. What do you think?”
READ MORE from Want Your Tax Refund Early? Quick Options Cost More in the Long Run
Hand holds VHS tapeLast month, Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties (CA) launched an ideas-based challenge to find a solution to the growing disposal problem of VHS tapes. As new technologies have increasingly replaced VHS tapes, these former staples of American living rooms are filling up landfills at an alarming rate. The tapes are harmful to the environment and pose a threat to the safety and health of communities as the chemicals coating the tape — toxic ferric oxide, iron oxide and chromium dioxide — seep into groundwater.
READ MORE from San Francisco Goodwill Launches Challenge to Solve VHS Disposal Problem
Dustin, who has a hearing impairment, shares how Goodwill's Prosperity Center in Eugene, OR, helped him find stable employment and access financial and educational opportunities.
I am a messy person. For a few years I’ve been trying to find ways to intercept messes before they take root, and one thing that has really helped is having an exposed closet. When I dress, I need to see all of my options before me. In the past, my closet led to piles on the floor and the disappearance of my bed beneath clothing, but once I built an exposed closet it was much easier for me to manage the would-be mess because suddenly I didn’t have to pull everything out in order to see it.
READ MORE from No Wire Hangers! Why Wooden Hangers Hold the Key to Closet Organization
For workforce stakeholders, March has been an eventful month. Early in the month, Congress failed to avert automatic spending cuts, commonly referred to as “sequestration,” from taking place. This cut is resulting in a 5 percent cut to job training and other programs that allow Goodwill® to do more to help people to find jobs and advance in careers. Further, the cut will feel deeper since it is being applied late in the fiscal year.
READ MORE from For Workforce Stakeholders, It’s March Madness
Julian from St. Louis, MO, asks, “I’m starting a new job, and it looks like telecommuting will be an option for me after I log a few months in the office. Working from home sounds like fun, but I know I’m going to be tempted to slack off. How can I get myself in gear?”
READ MORE from Don’t Phone It In: Five Tips to Make Telecommuting Work for Your Career
Last week, Goodwill Industries International, in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Houston and StoryCorps, completed a series of recordings as part of the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative. Twelve veterans served by Goodwill Houston shared their stories during the two-day recording session. Each conversation will be preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Among those who shared their stories were a sixth generation veteran who chose the military over playing college football, an Iraqi veteran who served in nine different countries and a veteran who served on special ops team during his enlistment.
READ MORE from Goodwill®, StoryCorps Record Veterans’ Stories for Military Voices Initiative
Last week, Goodwill Industries International, in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Houston and StoryCorps, completed a series of recordings as part of the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative. Twelve veterans served by Goodwill Houston shared their stories during the two-day recording session. Each conversation will be preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Among those who shared their stories were a sixth generation veteran who chose the military over playing college football, an Iraqi veteran who served in nine different countries and a veteran who served on special ops team during his enlistment.
READ MORE from Goodwill®, StoryCorps Record Veterans' Stories for Military Voices Initiative
As your self-proclaimed “thrift culture” blogger, I feel it’s my responsibility- nay - my duty this month to point one simple fact to the blogosphere. Let’s all join hands and bow our heads-- thrift stores are really having a bit of a moment right now.
During last year’s tax filing season, more than 27 million American families were refunded in excess of $62 billion by taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or the Earned Income Credit (EITC or EIC). However, each year, millions of families fail to take advantage of billions of dollars in EITC refunds that they are eligible to receive. If your family is considered low-income or medium-income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), your family may be losing out on potential tax refund dollars.
READ MORE from This Tax Season, Take Advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit
Matthew from Norfolk, VA, asks, "How can I make my resume rise to the top of online job boards so that recruiters will notice me?"
READ MORE from Resume Keywords Can Help Online Recruiters Take Notice
Goodwill of North Georgia (Atlanta) runs two programs that train women in non-traditional jobs such as highway construction and carpentry: Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations and Georgia Women in Highway Construction. Participants receive assistance in paying dues, obtaining transportation, obtaining apprenticeships, interview experience, resume preparation and more. “They really feel like [the program is] a brand-new start,” said Mandy Trowell, construction training program manager. “They knew they could do this, and they are just as tough as the men. Once they’ve gotten the job and maintained it, they’re able to really support their families for the first time in a lot of cases.”
