Category: The Goodwill Blog

The GCF Farm at Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina (Durham) has donated 20,636 pounds of fruits and vegetables to the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina in 2012, more than doubling last year’s amount. In addition to new developments in leadership and volunteerism, the increase in produce is also attributed to expanded garden space and more greenhouse use in colder weather to grow summer vegetables, including cucumbers and tomatoes.

READ MORE from NC Goodwill Donates More Than 20,000 Pounds of Produce to Food Bank

When Samantha came to Goodwill, she had no work experience. "Goodwill has taught me to be a team player and to take pride in my work," Samantha says.

READ MORE from My Story: Samantha Lawhorne

It's the time of the year when holiday sweaters start coming out! Goodwill® is the best place to find these fabulous personalities, whether you're going to a sweater party or you're just brave enough to don a highly decorated pullover as everyday wear. But here's something else you could do with a holiday sweater - make yourself a stocking!

READ MORE from DIY Project: Create Stockings from Thrifted Holiday Sweaters

This week, Congress reconvened in a lame-duck session in order to wrap up unfinished business. Its most pressing responsibility is finding a solution to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion over 10 years in order to avoid automatic spending cuts that will otherwise take effect at the beginning of next year. Goodwill supporters can take action now by urging Congress to support a balanced and bipartisan approach to deficit reduction.

READ MORE from Tell Congress to Remember Key Job Training Programs in Fiscal Cliff Discussions

Gene from Warwick, RI, asks, “I’ve been unemployed for over half a year now. I don’t have a computer, but get on the Internet through my smartphone. Can you recommend some apps to increase my career and financial chances?”

READ MORE from Find a Job On the Go with These Mobile Apps

At Goodwill®, we work to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work. Helping people prepare for jobs and advance their careers often means first connecting them with education options, which range from single courses to a complete certification or degree. Read on to learn about how two Goodwills are increasing access to educational opportunities for people in TX and GA communities.

READ MORE from Goodwills in GA, TX Advance Educational Opportunities for Local Students

Steven suffered permanent injuries in a car crash and, without a job, felt hopeless and like he wasn't contributing to society. After connecting with Goodwill, he regained hope and found employment that allows him to feel fulfilled and earn a paycheck.

READ MORE from My Story: Steven Escamilla

Because we have already created buzz around Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, why not fill in the only day after Thanksgiving that’s been sadly overlooked in the moniker department? That’s why right here, today, before all of my blogosphere witnesses, I propose Second Chance Sunday--when everyone goes to Goodwill and finds the most awesome gifts ever.

READ MORE from Give Your Holiday Gifts a Second Chance

Today, Thanksgiving Day, most of us will take a brief moment to pause to reflect upon and to be thankful for important things like freedom, food security, places to call home and jobs. The harsh reality is that many people in the U.S. lack these basic needs today.

READ MORE from Looking to Help People This Thanksgiving? Be an Advocate for Change!

You want your gift to make a real difference, right? When you think about giving during this holiday season, take the time to understand how your donation can have the most impact. Here are some tips to help inform your holiday giving decisions, whether your donation is money, time or gently used goods.

READ MORE from A Guide to Holiday Giving

Tan from Muskegon, WI, asks "I've sought help on making sure my résumé contains the right information - now I want to make it look visually appealing so it stands out in the sea of résumés. Do you have any tips?"

READ MORE from Find a Job by Putting a Creative Spin on Your Résumé

To combat this cycle that often traps borrowers in debt due to predatory lending processes, Goodwill Industries of Central Virginia (Richmond) has partnered with the Virginia Credit Union and St. James Episcopal Church for almost two years now to offer an alternative to payday lending coupled with financial education and coaching. The program provides borrowers with a short-term loan that has many of the features of a payday loan—essentially a pay or cash advance—but with important distinctions aimed at helping borrowers transition away from a dependency on these high-cost alternative loans.

READ MORE from Goodwill’s ‘goodChoice’ Program in VA Helps People Break Lending Cycles