Tag: Action Alert

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has noted concerns that the skills gap makes it difficult for employers to fill jobs with qualified workers and that the more than 50 federal job training programs present a complicated maze for job seekers to navigate. In response to these concerns, Rep. Foxx has introduced the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act, which proposes to eliminate 35 job training programs into a single one-size-fits-all block grant to states. Tell Congress to set aside old disagreements to build upon the strengths of existing programs to develop a broad workforce system that serves employers and businesses, serves people, and contributes to building stronger families and communities.

READ MORE from Tell Congress to Put Job Seekers' Needs above Partisan Differences

As the nation slowly recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression and unemployment remains high, job training programs face a dual threat this year. Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents that job training is important to our economic recovery. At a time when unemployment remains high, these resources are an important part of the nation’s economic recovery and job creation effort.

READ MORE from Act Now to Protect Job Training Programs from Budget Cuts

As the president lays out the priorities for the administration during his second-term and a new Congress reconvenes with its own agenda, now is the time to let your voice be heard and to speak up for those groups who were not referenced. Sign up for Goodwill’s Legislative Action Center to contact your members of Congress. Share the alerts and updates with your own networks, and educate other stakeholders about how the acts of Congress will affect Goodwill. Let’s make sure the important groups overlooked in the State of the Union are not forgotten as Congress considers these cuts.

READ MORE from Stand Up for People, Priorities Overlooked in the State of the Union Address

Millions of classic movie lovers will recall the movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray, in which his egocentric character is doomed to repeat February 2 day after day. Just a couple hundred miles to the southeast in Washington, policymakers are living a real-life political version of the 1993 movie classic.

READ MORE from Every Day Is Groundhog Day in Washington, DC

With the election a fading memory, Congressional leaders and the president are finally engaged in serious negotiations about a deficit reduction deal. While questions about whether such a deal will be achieved and what it may look like makes terrific political theater for political junkies, it’s important to remember that, over the course of several years, many factors have led to this decisive moment in our history. All the while, as it has been since 1902, Goodwill® has been on the front lines helping people to overcome their employment challenges.

READ MORE from Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Hold a Range of Implications for Goodwill®

This week, hundreds on nonprofit advocates met with lawmakers and staff in order to protect charitable giving incentives, which are being threatened during discussions pertaining to the fiscal cliff. Goodwill Industries®, along with over 1.2 million other organizations, are part of a diverse charitable and philanthropic community working daily to provide programs and services that change the lives of individuals and strengthen families and communities.

READ MORE from Urge Policymakers to Protect Charitable Giving Incentives

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

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!

Are you suffering from election fatigue? I’m a total policy wonk but living in a swing state with a heated Senate race means even I’m afraid to answer my phone, turn on the radio and television, or open my mailbox. We’re still four weeks out from Election Day and believe it or not, legislators can still get things done during the lame duck session, which is why it’s important that Goodwill® advocates remain engaged.

READ MORE from Lame Duck Session Critical for Job Training, Education Programs

Time is ticking for Congress to act on automatic spending cuts scheduled to take effect in January 2013. These cuts threaten key programs that help people in your community find work and advance in their careers. Goodwill® is committed to protecting these critical workforce investments and urges you to contact your senators and representatives.

READ MORE from Act Now to Keep Funding for Key Workforce Programs on the Table