Tag: Educational Attainment

This week I had the great pleasure of working with Boyd Brown, area director of employment & training of Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota (St. Paul), as he testified before a Congressional subcommittee. The hearing, which was on welfare reform proposals, specifically involved the reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. His testimony provided great insight into the journey of an individual on public assistance, struggling to find a job and the challenges faced by case managers trying to put people to work.

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On June 26, forty-three students received their high school diploma in the company of hundreds of joy-filled, enthusiastic supporters. Texas Commissioner of Education, Michael Williams, was the Keynote Speaker for the ceremony. “You are courageous. You’ve expressed it and demonstrated it by being here today,” Commissioner Williams said to the students. “Take that courage to go even further.”

READ MORE from Inaugural Class Graduates from The Goodwill Excel Center in Austin

L.I.F.E. Academy, which opened a decade ago this August, celebrated its tenth graduating class on May 28 in the Edgewood Elementary School auditorium. Six graduates received diplomas or certificates of completion from Principal Lynn Pottorf and Pamela LaRiviere of the Lee County School Board.

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In 1993, I was convicted of a horrible crime. It not only destroyed the life, hopes and dreams of the victim, but it destroyed mine and those of my family. For the next 21 years, I prayed that God would release me and give me another chance at life. I prayed that if he did, I would dedicate my remaining years on earth to the service of mankind, the community of human society.

READ MORE from My Story: Sean Walker

Did you know that working for free can help you transition into your dream job? Volunteering increases your chances of employment. One 2013 study showed that “volunteers have a 27 percent higher likelihood of finding a job after being out of work than non-volunteers.” That number almost doubles for certain groups, such as those without high school diplomas. Here’s how volunteering ups your employment odds.

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Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana (New Orleans) has received approval from Louisiana Board of Regents to establish the Goodwill Career & Technical College (GCTC), which specializes in helping vulnerable populations receive industry certifications and skills in high-demand local industries.

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Since 1902, Goodwill has been helping people find jobs despite employment challenges. Much has changed since our founder, Edgar Helms, opened the first Goodwill store in south Boston, providing jobs and much needed wages to people in the economically distressed neighborhood. Back then, a solid education was certainly nice to have; today however, access to education is an absolute necessity if one is to succeed in a job and advance in a career.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Provides Support for People Who Seek Career Advancement Through Educational Attainment

For free or a relatively small fee, you can learn everything from coding to ancient history without having to leave home, and often on your own time. A popular model is the Massive Online Open Course, and it works for career skills training, too. Learn more about how these courses work and where to find them.

READ MORE from Learn Career Skills Online Using MOOCs

Turning a job that you enjoy into a meaningful career is the way to ensure long-term financial security and professional fulfillment. Taking the time to lay your career and educational groundwork today -- including stacked credentials -- can ensure that you succeed in a lifelong career that fits your skills and interests.

READ MORE from Never Stop Learning: Obtain Credentials to Grow Your Career

I was introduced to Goodwill Industries of Southern Oregon (Medford) through the Make Parenting a Pleasure class. The classes provided me with opportunities to make my family stronger, especially during some pretty difficult times in our family history. It was an intimate setting and I felt safe and empowered. Then, after having been unsatisfied with my progress in other available job search programs at the Department of Human Services (DHS), I requested to participate in the Goodwill Jobs program.

READ MORE from My Story: Christina Banfield