Tag: Long-Term Unemployed

As the nation slowly recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression, and concerns about the deficit remain front and center, some policymakers are tempted to consolidate the workforce system in the name of reform. While a case can be made that broad consolidation would lead to some savings and efficiencies, I believe — especially because several key laws are due for Congressional review — the current dialogue must shift from consolidation to promoting integration and collaboration among existing resources and programs.

READ MORE from Unemployment: Are We Treating Symptoms or the Patient?

Last week, Speaker of the House John Boehner’s so-called “Plan B” failed to attract sufficient Republican support. Members of Congress soon headed home for the Christmas holiday with the nation’s economic future still in question. Will congressional leaders and President Obama find a way to agree to a deficit reduction deal that averts a plunge over the fiscal cliff? Or will we take that plunge? While the question about the fiscal cliff remains uncertain, Goodwill has been on the front lines since 1902, working to build stronger communities, and it will continue to urge Congress to protect investments that leverage Goodwill’s efforts to help people find jobs and advance in careers.

READ MORE from Some Certainty in an Uncertain Time

Life threw Remy a curve ball and she found herself an unemployed single mother. "I felt like a statistic," she says. With support from Goodwill, she made the job connection she needed to find successful employment working with people with disabilities.

READ MORE from My Story: Remy Lawrence

Through numerous life and health challenges, Goodwill has been a constant in Joy's life. She says, "I can feel myself smiling, laughing and healing, and I truly feel cared about. This place is my therapy."

READ MORE from My Story: Joy Henry

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®

Carlos from Galveston, TX, asks, “I’ve got good office skills and experience, but can’t find a full-time job. My sister told me to try the temp agency in our town, but isn’t that just wasting time I could be using to find a proper job? What do you think?”

READ MORE from Find Job Opportunities Through Temporary Work

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

Gene from Warwick, RI, asks, “I’ve been unemployed for over half a year now. I don’t have a computer, but get on the Internet through my smartphone. Can you recommend some apps to increase my career and financial chances?”

READ MORE from Find a Job On the Go with These Mobile Apps

Latonya Thomas separated from the military at the time the economy was melting down, making it hard to find civilian employment. She had lost many of her assets and felt her life had plateaued when she was referred to Goodwill. She's now exploring new careers and working with staff to meet her educational and career goals and is optimistic about her future.

READ MORE from My Story: Latonya Thomas

More Americans are going back to school, and more students than ever are qualifying for Pell Grants, the primary federal grant program that provides funding for low- and moderate-income students. As Goodwill® works to help the people it serves to not only find jobs, but to advance in careers, Pell Grants are becoming increasingly important to our efforts.

READ MORE from Goodwill® Leverages Pell Grants to Help People Advance in Careers