My Story: Kathy Kotch

Women wearing a black shirt standing in front of plants

In May, during Older Americans Month, Goodwill® celebrates the contributions that older workers make both inside and outside the workforce. At a time when employers need to build resilience, older workers can play a critical role. They bring experience, reliability and perspective to every workplace setting. Your purchases and donations make stories like Kathy’s possible.

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My Story: Arnaldo Arista Mendoza

Men wearing a green shirt and jeans standing next to a wood table.

This National Skilled Trade Day, we acknowledge Arnaldo’s journey and millions of others currently working in and pursuing a career in the skilled trades. When Arnaldo started the Electrical Helper program at Goodwill Career and Technical Academy (GCTA), he knew little about the field. Not knowing what it would take to become a certified skilled trade worker, he knew there were many great job opportunities in this field, and he wanted to become an electrician. Despite not knowing where his efforts would lead him, Arnaldo worked hard and never gave up on his goal.

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Rediscovering the Joy of Reading This World Book Day

In 2019, people had been reading less – life got too busy, there were distractions brought on by phones and TVs. But the pandemic changed that. In 2020, the average American read 20 minutes a day, an increase of 21% from the previous year, and it brought in the best sales year of the decade for print books. A resurgence of reading is a great thing: reading exercises the brain, improves concentration and healthy sleep, it boosts your library of general knowledge, and it can also be a really affordable type of entertainment. This World Book Day on April 23rd marks a celebration of all things reading and offers an opportunity to tap back into the world of books if you’ve realized it’s been a while since you last enjoyed a good written story.

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Be an Advocate and Participate in Goodwill’s Virtual Advocacy Day!

Today more than 100 Goodwill advocates including organization Presidents and CEO, mission leaders, communication professionals, volunteer board members and more, will meet with hundreds of lawmakers and staff to discuss investments in America’s workers, changes to the workforce development system, and the impact of tax policies on nonprofits.  They will be educating Congress about the role that Goodwill plays in their community. 

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Join Us Virtually for Goodwill® on the Hill

By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International On Wednesday, April 19, Goodwill leaders, employees, board members and program participants from across the United States will travel to Capitol Hill to advocate for the issues that matter most to local Goodwill organizations and the people they serve. For those who are unable

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First Female Rotary President Wears Goodwill Coat to Meet The King

Windsor, Ontario – In July 2022, Jennifer Jones, member of the Rotary Club of Windsor- Roseland, Ontario, became the first woman to take office as Rotary International President in the service organization’s 117-year existence. Allowing women into Rotary took a US Supreme Court ruling as recent as 1987, the year Jones began her own journey

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Thrifty Spring Break Outfit Inspiration to Keep Your Look Fresh and Wallet Full

Women seating on a bed wearing a long blue sequin dress an sunglasses.

Spring break is a celebration of getting past the midpoint of the school year. For many college students, it’s the perfect time to escape responsibility and be a kid again, heading out with a group of friends for the week to live life to the fullest and have fun.

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Providing a Second Chance for Success in April

Women standing in front of a blue wall saying welcome and with the Goodwill logo. She is wearing a yellow sweatshirt and black pants.

Goodwill® believes that helping people who are involved with the criminal justice system find and retain high-quality jobs is essential to reducing recidivism, strengthening families, and empowering communities. More than 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons every year. Most incarcerated people will return to their communities at some point, and many will confront barriers to employment, education, housing, and other basic needs.

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