Category: The Goodwill Blog

Sherry GordonWhen you’re facing challenges finding a job, talking to people who’ve been in your shoes and found success can give you the encouragement you need to keep your head up during the tough times. In late 2009, we launched Goodwill’s “My Story” series, giving job seekers coming to our page the chance to hear and read the first-person stories of people who have improved their lives through the Goodwill job training, career placement and volunteer programs your donations help support. Almost two years later, we are honored to share our 100th story on the site.

READ MORE from Back to Work: 100 Job Seekers, Volunteers Share Their Goodwill® Success Stories

Last year, Edward Robinson didn't have a job and found himself living on the streets. He was recovering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol; even though he had gotten clean and sober, he felt like he had nowhere to go. After being referred to Goodwill through rehabilitation services, Edward gained not only a job, but the opportunity to get his life back on track. Staff at Goodwill worked with Edward to help him achieve what he wanted in life and kept him working. He says his biggest accomplishment is finding an apartment to live in, and he looks forward to helping other people who are currently struggling to succeed.

READ MORE from My Story: Edward Robinson

For some job hunters, finding affordable business attire to wear to interviews can put a strain on already-tight budgets. Goodwill® agencies in the Greater Washington-Baltimore region and Pennsylvania are helping area job seekers dress for success, thanks to a regional clothing drive partnership with ZIPS Dry Cleaners. Called Will2Work, the partnership aims to collect donated suits, dresses, blouses and slacks that adults from disadvantaged backgrounds can wear to job interviews or to the office once they are hired.

READ MORE from Job Seekers Dress for Interview Success with Goodwill’s Support

Volunteers demonstrate a variety of skills when lending their time to an organization, including the ability to communicate, make decisions, lead and consider how actions impact communities both locally and globally. Listing volunteer experience on your résumé can make the case to an employer that you have the skills needed to complete the job if you don’t have an extensive work history or are switching career fields. With a lot of well-qualified people competing for the same job, talking up your volunteer efforts can also help you stand out in a crowd of people who may have similar education and work histories.

READ MORE from Looking for a Job? Leverage Your Volunteer Work

During President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress on September 9, 2011, he referenced the American Jobs Act (AJA), and then delivered it to Capitol Hill requesting swift passage. As one of the largest nonprofit job training providers in the country, Goodwill stands ready to support the administration and Congress in efforts to put Americans back to work. Given staggering unemployment levels and alarming recently released 2010 Census data that reveals 2.6 million more Americans fell into poverty, we believe the time to act on a jobs bill is now.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Finds Promise in American Jobs Act

Maria Swartz, a single mom who never finished high school, assumed a career was out of reach until she was introduced to Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs’ new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program. The course includes classroom and lab instruction, hands-on clinical training and valuable experience at Goodwill day programs serving individuals with disabilities and other special needs. Goodwill staff members help students prepare for the CNA exam and help place them with local health care providers after graduation.

READ MORE from Goodwill® CNA Training Program Helps Single Mom Succeed

Josh, who has cerebral palsy, came to Goodwill from a difficult background. While in school, he faced challenges reading and writing, and had turned to selling drugs for a living. Determined to build his job skills, Josh joined a Goodwill youth program in West Palm Beach, FL. There, staff connected him with software he used to learn to read and with assistive devices that helped him learn to drive. "Goodwill gave me independence and a different way of thinking," he says. "But most importantly, Goodwill has given me the ability to believe in myself."

READ MORE from My Story: Joshua Butler

All Americans remember where they were on September 11, 2001. It was a sad and frightening day that left many of us feeling vulnerable and unsure of our safety as Americans. Despite the shock and the sorrow, we refused to let the attacks weaken our great nation. We emerged from that day with a renewed commitment to one another, united with a common goal to help strengthen our communities and our country. This weekend, we reflect on how the Goodwill enterprise rallied to support workers and employers in the wake of the tragedy, and how that spirit of service continues 10 years after the attacks.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Reflects on Spirit of Service Following September 11 Attacks

As the summer heat gives way to cooler fall temperatures, AmazingGoodwill.com resident fashion expert Bjorn Nasett offers his top seven styles trends to take wardrobes into the upcoming season. Whether you want to man up with boot-cut slacks, tailored vests and jackets or go more girly with floral print dresses and faux fur, Bjorn has tips to add this season's runway styles to your wardrobe with items you can find at your local Goodwill. Read on to learn how you can be fashion-forward for less this fall while supporting local programs that benefit your community and the planet.

READ MORE from Seven Style Trends to Follow This Fall

You want to land a good job, but activities like searching for open positions, résumé writing, completing job applications and interviewing require time and can be stressful. It’s easy to procrastinate when you have so much work ahead of you. Thankfully, small steps can go a long way. Make a fresh start on your job search today by putting one or more of Goodwill's suggested steps into practice.

READ MORE from Find a Good Job By Kicking Procrastination to the Curb

For many low-income job seekers trying to achieve economic stability, landing a job is only half of the battle. Monthly car payments can quickly drain already limited resources, and without a vehicle, just getting to work can be a challenge. In Michigan, growing numbers of low-income families are getting the vehicles they need to travel to work and run basic errands, thanks to Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan’s Workers on Wheels (WOW) program. The Goodwill agency has worked with a local car dealership, Jack's Auto Sales and Services, for the last 12 years to get the most value out of their vehicle donations.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Helps Low-Income Families Hit the Road for Job Success

Jason Tobey, a Marine Corps veteran who completed several tours during the Gulf War, expected to easily transition into the civilian workforce after being honorably discharged from the military. He was surprised to find, however, that not all employers looked at servicemen and women from these conflicts as favorable job candidates. After returning to school, Jason became involved with Goodwill of Orange County’s microenterprise development program, which gave him the skills he needed to start his own business, Semper Fi Security. He’s now helping others with a military service record succeed, employing eight veterans with plans to hire more as business grows.

READ MORE from My Story: Jason Tobey