Category: Social Good

A report released by the Southern Regional Education Board affirms the value of Helms College’s model of providing a solid knowledge base with experiential learning opportunities to equip students to fill an ever-increasing number of middle-skills jobs. With campuses in Macon and Augusta, Helms College is a private, independent postsecondary career school sponsored by Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. and is licensed by the Georgia Non-Public Post-Secondary Education Commission.

READ MORE from Helms College Equipping Students to Fill the Gap in Middle-Skill Labor Shortage

Well now that we’re past the holidays and Valentine’s Day, chances are few of you out there are in wedding planning mode. So let me be the first to tell you-- you’re about to take a wild ride on the sticker shock express. But fear not. Simply put down the bridal magazines and cancel your appointment at the fancy bridal store. Goodwill® is the best place to start.

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Tis the season of tax preparation! According to a recent survey by TaxSlayer, more than half of U.S. adults find the tax-filing process stressful. Luckily, local Goodwill organizations are willing to take this burden off your shoulders, at no cost! More than 20 local Goodwill organizations across the nation offer free tax preparation services.

READ MORE from This Tax Season, Head to Your Local Goodwill® for Free Preparation Services

Jasmine Bible was 17 years old when she got her first job as a cashier at Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana (Indianapolis, IN). She struggled to find reliable transportation, stable housing and dependable child care for her son with special needs. Eager to advance her career, Bible took advantage of every opportunity available to her through Goodwill®.

READ MORE from Indianapolis Goodwill Helps Team Member Excel

January is National Reaching Your Potential Month, and a new tool at Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County (Wilmington) is helping residents do just that. According to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 19,000 Delaware residents are unemployed. In an effort to combat unemployment, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County launched Career Connection, a digital career services platform that supports job seekers through the process of securing employment.

READ MORE from Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County’s New Tool Helps Residents Find Work without the Stress

In December 2018, the Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Inc. (Mandan, ND) store in Jamestown, ND was presented with the Business of the Month award. The Jamestown Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of Jamestown honor businesses that provide superior customer service, exhibit community spirit and provide a positive economic impact to the community.

READ MORE from Easter Seals Goodwill ND, Inc. Store Receives Community Recognition

The holiday season will be a little more special for one Florida family. Thanks to Goodwill Manasota and Florida Power & Light (FPL), the Landis family’s home has been transformed into a winter wonderland at no cost to them, complete with more than 1,000 energy-efficient lights, a Santa Claus figure, stocking and present props, and even a palm tree!

READ MORE from Goodwill Manasota Partners with Local Electric Company to Give Local Veteran a Holiday Surprise

Goodwill® organizations around the country are committed to serving all members of the community, especially those facing specific challenges finding work. All too often, people transitioning back into society face a difficult stigma that causes challenges to gaining meaningful employment. To help alleviate this problem, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is expanding its re-entry programs in Northwest Arkansas through its new resource center.

READ MORE from Goodwill Industries of Arkansas Helps Residents with Criminal Backgrounds Find Work

At Everglades University, students, staff and faculty choose a nonprofit to support each month. The Suits for Vets charitable effort was a particularly good fit for the campus: Everglades University is a yellow ribbon school, serving many veterans who are on campus getting their education after serving our country. The partnership was cemented after school representatives visited the Veterans Services Program office and heard how Goodwill works to address critical needs of the local veteran population.

READ MORE from Everglades University, Goodwill Manasota Partner on Suits for Vets Donation Drive

In the minds of many, Goodwill® is the place to drop off donations and shop at cheaper prices. The nonprofit organization brings a lot more to the table, though. Goodwill’s overarching mission is to help community members find jobs. Goodwill Southeast Georgia serves 29 counties in Georgia and four counties in South Carolina. That area coverage includes 17 retail stores and four career centers. The Job Connection Center, located directly beside the Goodwill store in Brunswick, located at 249 Village at Glynn Place, offers workshops, professional development, GED courses and computer access. The center’s staff provides résumé and interviewing skills training and teach courses in hospitality training, soft skills development and computer skills.

READ MORE from Goodwill Southeast Georgia Job Connection Center Improving Local Workforce

Six months after launching Goodwill’s Digital Career AcceleratorSM program with founding partner Google, Goodwill®Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. has blown past all training and placement benchmarks. The program is part of a three-year$300,000 Google.org grant to provide technical training and employment services for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Through this grant, Goodwill NYNJ provided information, assessment and digital training to 6,773 people (225% of the six-month goal set by Google) and placed 803 individuals in jobs using the digital skills they gained.

READ MORE from Goodwill® NYNJ Surpasses Digital Career Accelerator® Grant Goals with Google

All too often, many people face challenges when trying to find employment. One of these is having access to necessary skills training. To address the issue head-on, Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake has collaborated with CVS Health and Baltimore City Community College to open a “CVS Mock Pharmacy” to provide an innovative classroom experience for aspiring pharmacy technicians and retail associates.

READ MORE from Goodwill® and CVS Health Offer Workforce Training at CVS Mock Pharmacy in Baltimore