Category: The Goodwill Blog

As the nation slowly recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression, and concerns about the deficit remain front and center, some policymakers are tempted to consolidate the workforce system in the name of reform. While a case can be made that broad consolidation would lead to some savings and efficiencies, I believe — especially because several key laws are due for Congressional review — the current dialogue must shift from consolidation to promoting integration and collaboration among existing resources and programs.

READ MORE from Unemployment: Are We Treating Symptoms or the Patient?

Julianne from Lawton, OK, asks, "I was talking to my uncle about how hard it is to find a job, and he said I should try getting on LinkedIn. I’ve used Facebook before – is it the same?” –

READ MORE from How to Use LinkedIn to Help You Find a Job

In mid-January, a store team member from Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin (Menasha) found and returned a young cancer survivor’s missing class ring. The Post-Crescent, a local newspaper, reported that Deirdra Moon, a team member at the Grand Chute store, was sorting through the donations when she spotted a 2013 class ring from Appleton West High School—Moon’s alma mater. It bore the word “survivor” and a yellow sarcoma cancer awareness ribbon.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Team Member Returns Class Ring to Young Cancer Survivor

When Justin first started work, he struggled to understand appropriate boundaries and actively listen to directions from his supervisor. Goodwill's program gave him the structured setting he needed in order to build those skills, and he is now employed at a local supermarket. "Overall, Goodwill has helped me overcome many obstacles to obtain a job that I really love."

READ MORE from My Story: Justin Throckmorton

Vintage clothing can be an excellent way to express your creativity and individuality -- even within the confines of your 9-to-5 job. Goodwill® is and always will be an excellent source to get these items inexpensively, due in part to their entrepreneurial business model of collecting and selling donated goods in its more than 2,800 stores and its auction site, shopgoodwill.com. To add a little vintage spice to your workplace wardrobe, consider these tips.

READ MORE from How to Incorporate Vintage Clothing into Your Workplace Wardrobe

Millions of classic movie lovers will recall the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, in which his egocentric character is doomed to repeat February 2 day after day. Just a couple hundred miles to the southeast in Washington, policymakers are living a real-life political version of the 1993 movie classic.

READ MORE from Every Day Is Groundhog Day in Washington, DC

Marcus from San Jose, CA, asks, “My boss and coworkers go out together almost every day after work for happy hour or dinner. I really don’t want to join them. Seeing them during the workday is enough. Is it bad if I skip out on these gatherings?”

READ MORE from What You Should Know about Socializing with Colleagues after Work

Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area and Mountwest Community and Technical College's partnership dates back to 2005, when an instructor was teaching a part-time computer class at MCTC and at Goodwill. She realized that the Goodwill participants were doing the same amount and caliber of work as the MCTC students, and believed they should earn the same college credit hours. As the organizations shared their expertise, an original one-course partnership grew to three tracks that now allow students to accumulate 12 credit hours or more at Goodwill.

READ MORE from In WV, Goodwill®-Community College Partnership Helps Participants Build Skills, Advance Education

Rachal was willing to try any job after relocating to Los Angeles with her 2-year-old son. She connected with Goodwill's Beyond Jobs program, which helped connect her with CNA and Home Health Aide training. She is now employed and works as a nurse mentor for other women who were once in her shoes. "I am forever grateful," she says.

READ MORE from My Story: Rachal Underwood

Goodwill®, a leading social service enterprise and one of the nation’s most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands, has a huge selection of vinyl for you to choose from. There are a lot of really cheesy ballads out there so consider the following projects to give your records a bit of an upgrade.

READ MORE from New Uses for Thrift Store Records

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides critical tax relief for low income workers and working people with disabilities. Goodwill strongly supports the EITC and is cosponsoring an event on Thursday, January 24, on Capitol Hill that will help educate policymakers and congressional staff about the importance of this key credit for American workers.

READ MORE from Earned Income Tax Credit: Providing a Path to Self Sufficiency

Lee from Reno, NV, asks, “I’m applying for a job, and it says I have to list two references. Do I have to include this? I’m not sure who to put.”

READ MORE from Your Job Search: Who to List as Employment References