For Workforce Stakeholders, It’s March Madness

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.

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Don’t Phone It In: Five Tips to Make Telecommuting Work for Your Career

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?”

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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.

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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.

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This Tax Season, Take Advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit

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.

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In Atlanta, Goodwill® Helps Women Gain Employment in Traditionally Male-Dominated Fields

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.”

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Transition Your Wardrobe from Winter to Spring with These Tips

March is the perfect example of an ‘in-between seasons’ month that can’t really decide whether it wants to be winter or spring. If you’re living in the Northeast like me, you’re probably fully ready for spring despite the weather’s overwhelming aversion to it. Regardless of whether the groundhog predicted an early spring or six more weeks of winter, there’s plenty you can do to reflect your anticipation for spring fashion now. Here is some advice for invigorating your wardrobe during the tricky month of March.

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