https://www.goodwill.org/blog/ Nonprofit organization. Helping individuals, families and communities build brighter futures. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:01:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.goodwill.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/favicon-2.png https://www.goodwill.org 32 32 https://www.goodwill.org/blog/impact-spotlight/my-goodwill-story-alexis/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:01:28 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782897 For Alexis, life has always been about adapting. Problems arise; things change, but she has always been able to find a new path forward.   Her professional journey started as a paraprofessional in Florida. She loved being around students, getting to see their lives change and sharing her knowledge. Eventually, Alexis transitioned into food service management, where she said she continued to teach, but to professionals instead of students.   In 2018, Hurricane Michael hit and Alexis was forced to rebuild her life. She moved to Minneapolis but later had to return to Florida briefly to care for her mother.  Eventually, Alexis dec]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/show-the-trailer-not-the-full-movie-creating-a-blockbuster-resume/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:56:26 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782895 By Richard Totten, Training Coordinator, Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC One of my favorite times of the year is the summer movie season. Whether it’s a superhero blockbuster, a sci-fi adventure or an animated story that pulls at your heart, summer movies have a way of bringing people out of the heat and into the theater. But if I’m being honest, what I enjoy just as much are the trailers. In just one to three minutes, a trailer gives you a carefully selected set of moments designed to pull you in and make you want more. It highlights the most exciting parts, introduces the story and gives you a sense of what to expect without reve]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/shop/a-thrift-trip-to-goodwill-hits-different-heres-how-to-make-the-most-of-national-best-friends-day/ Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:36:43 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782888 By Felicia Czochanski Bisaro There’s a reason summer is the favorite season for so many people. Did you know Americans are 31% more social in the summer? Warm weather, more sunshine, longer days and biological shifts all make for the perfect environment to get out of your house and spend time with your besties. June is not just the official summer kick off month, but also holds National Best Friend’s Day on the 8th, an awesome excuse to make fun plans (like a thrift day at Goodwill) with your favorite people. Photo: @dcgoodwill Take a cue from the real-life Goodwill shoppers in the photos below who have the best time shopping and wearing ]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/advocate/workforce-pell-final-rule-opens-new-pathways-to-short-term-training/ Thu, 28 May 2026 22:14:29 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782827 by Mitch Coppes, Federal Government Affairs Manager, Goodwill Industries International On May 18, the Department of Education released its final rule establishing how Workforce Pell Grants will be implemented, marking a significant step forward in expanding access to short-term workforce training programs. As authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the rule allows eligible students to use Pell Grants for approved short-term training designed to prepare them for employment in in-demand fields. The final rule creates a regulatory framework for Workforce Pell grants going forward. To qualify, an eligible workforce program must be offere]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/advocate/advancing-opportunity-through-partnership-highlights-from-sourceamericas-xforce-conference/ Thu, 21 May 2026 19:24:29 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782791 By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International, Inc. Leaders from across the country recently came together for SourceAmerica’s annual Xforce conference—a powerful convening focused on expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. SourceAmerica is one of the national nonprofits that supports the AbilityOne® Program, a federal procurement initiative that creates meaningful jobs for individuals who are blind or have significant disabilities. For the Goodwill Industries International network, this work is deeply aligned with our mission—and it showed at Xforce. Nearly one-third]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/advocate/highlights-from-the-excel-center-national-conference/ Fri, 15 May 2026 22:16:06 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782751 By Laura Walling, Vice President of Government Affairs, Goodwill Industries International, Inc. Melvin tried to earn his GED four times. Each time, life got in the way. Laura had already paid for her cap and gown when she was told she couldn’t graduate. She had missed too much school while supporting a family member through court hearings. For both Melvin and Laura, the path to opportunity wasn’t linear—but they found a second chance through The Excel Center, a tuition-free public charter high school for adults operated by local Goodwill organizations in communities across at least 12 states and the District of Columbia. Their stories a]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/shop/summer-style-memorial-day-outfit-inspiration/ Thu, 14 May 2026 17:33:45 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782742 By Felicia Czochanski Bisaro With a long weekend to celebrate and the sun shining, Memorial Day is finally here to kick off the summer season. Summer is synonymous with pool parties, beach days, picnics and fun time outdoors with family and friends. This season change is the perfect moment to break out your summer wardrobe and set the stage for the warm weather months. As you finalize your plans for the long weekend and start thinking about what to wear, don’t forget that Goodwill® can be your one-stop shop for all things outfit inspiration and shopping. With the turn of each season, stopping by Goodwill with a bag of donations that no lon]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/career-and-financial-advice/how-to-spring-clean-your-career-part-two/ Thu, 14 May 2026 16:46:21 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782741 By Richard Totten, Training Coordinator, Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC In part one, we talked about clearing the clutter in your career journey and letting go of what is not working. We also focused on creating space for growth. But once that space is created, the next step is just as important: You have to decide what you are going to build in its place. Momentum does not come from doing everything at once. It comes from taking intentional steps forward, even small ones, and building consistency over time. If you have taken the time to reset, this is your opportunity to move forward with clarity and purpose. Refresh How You Present ]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/impact-spotlight/my-goodwill-story-belen/ Thu, 14 May 2026 15:11:40 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782738 In the U.S., every May is Older Americans Month. This celebration highlights the achievements and contributions of older adults. At Goodwill®, we support more than 200,000 seniors every year to find employment or advance out of low wage work.   That support can look like digital skills training, résumé preparation or career navigation. It is often done through our Goodwill Opportunity Accelerator® (OA), a framework that helps people grow and build in-demand skills tailored around their interests and talents.    Belen first found out about the services offered through Goodwill Industries of South Texas (Corpus Christi) whe]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/impact-spotlight/my-goodwill-story-tajay/ Fri, 08 May 2026 16:16:51 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782732 What motivates you to accomplish your goals? For Tajay, it’s making his mother proud. This Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the encouragement and support that moms provide through the story of what Tajay has achieved.   Tajay came to the U.S. alone without his support system. He wanted to make changes to his life and provide for himself. That’s when he met someone from Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region (Tacoma, WA) while he was staying at a youth homeless shelter. The connection was life-changing for Tajay.   He started working at the Goodwill® operations center and excelled. It was quickly cl]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/advocate/older-workers-are-powering-the-economy-scsep-helps-them-thrive/ Thu, 07 May 2026 18:14:19 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782707 by Mitch Coppes, Federal Government Affairs Manager, Goodwill Industries International Observed each May since 1963, Older Americans Month recognizes the many ways older adults contribute to their communities, families, and the workforce. The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, highlights prevention, self-management, and informed choices that support well-being. Older Americans are vital to the workforce, bringing experience, dedication, and perspective. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that one in five Americans age 65 or older is in the workforce, and older workers are the fastest-growing segment of the labor force. With financial suppo]]> https://www.goodwill.org/blog/shop/mothers-day-crafting-inspiration-with-thrifted-treasures-from-goodwill/ Wed, 06 May 2026 15:54:31 +0000 https://www.goodwill.org/?p=782658 By Felicia Czochanski Bisaro Mothers and grandmothers should be celebrated all throughout the year, and Mother’s Day provides a perfect reminder of that each May. The women in our families are often the glue that holds everything together and makes each day special. Whether it’s making sure everyone gets to school on time, that our annual doctor visits are scheduled, and that we know we always have someone ready to lend an ear nearby if we want to talk through something. The relationships we have with our mothers and grandmothers are important, and that makes it all the more important to celebrate these women in our lives. I remember that]]>