Sarah knew that she wanted to work, but wasn't sure where to start and was afraid employers wouldn't understand her disability. After her mom connected her to Goodwill, Sarah learned to identify her skills and target jobs that were well-suited for her. Her job coach helped her apply for and earn a job, and she now looks forward to growing in her position and challenging herself to do more as time goes on.
Tag: Vocational Rehabilitation
My Story: Joanna McVicker
After getting kicked in the head by a horse at the age of four, Joanna incurred a life-long brain injury that affects the way in which she retains and processes information. After high school, she experienced difficulty finding and maintaining a job. In 2010, Joanna was referred to Goodwill, who invited her into its Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program. After building her vocational and cognitive skills, Joanna was able to find a job that she enjoys and feel empowered for the first time in her life.
My Story: Nick Vaughan
After receiving post-secondary training, Nick was unable to find a job and was contemplating moving back to where he grew up, where he'd have to give up his friends and his independence. He was referred to Goodwill, where an employment counselor helped him update his resume and submit applications. He landed a seasonal part-time job at Lowe's and was later hired full time. He now loves his job and the independence it affords him.
Goodwill® Urges Congress to Support Employment for Veterans and Military Families
On November 16, Goodwill® took to Capitol Hill to brief Congress on our work with military families and present our latest white paper. Given the stubbornly bleak job market and constrained federal budgets, Goodwill calls for a continuum of coordinated services that address the unique needs and complex employment challenges facing veterans and military families. We also urge greater collaboration among the community-based providers, federal agencies and veteran service organizations.
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My Story: Karen Owens
For 23 years, Karen Owens spent her life caring for others as an RN. She was proud to help those who were critically ill and support their families through difficult times. After being diagnosed with a psychological disability, Karen found the demands and stress of her job too difficult to continue. She decided to find an alternate path to make a fresh start for herself by going back to school for ultrasonography, and began taking computer courses at Goodwill Industries of Knoxville to help prepare for her return to college.
Funding for Programs Important to Goodwill® Remains Uncertain in Congressional Negotiations
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to a Senate-passed spending measure that provides temporary funding for the upcoming fiscal year through October 4. Congress must pass another continuing resolution (expected to be good through November 18) before the October 4 deadline. But we are far from being out of the woods. Congress has yet to pass any of its 12 annual spending bills. Such short- and long-term uncertainty will make it even more difficult during these difficult economic times for community-based organizations like Goodwill to develop and implement sustainable strategies that help people with employment challenges find jobs and advance in their careers. While Goodwill’s self-sustaining social enterprise generates the bulk of the funds Goodwill invests in the communities it serves nationwide, federal funds:
- Leverage programs that local Goodwill agencies operate
- Support partners in communities that provide key employment and supportive services that improve employment outcomes for the people that Goodwill serves
Workers with Disabilities Can Help Our Economy Grow
Profit By Investing In Employees with Disabilities Rockville, MD — Slow economic growth means businesses, government and nonprofit organizations have to innovate to compete in a global economy. Communities need productive employees who will use their talent and creativity to produce results and grow our nation’s economy. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Goodwill
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Goodwill® Urges Smart Investments on the Jobs Front
In the midst of the wrangling taking place over temporary spending for FY 2012, U.S. House of Representatives and Senate committees that have jurisdiction over final FY 2012 spending measures are working on their respective bills. On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill to provide FY 2012 funding for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education. That bill proposes to provide $158 billion in discretionary funding for a wide range of programs including several programs that support local Goodwill agencies’ efforts to help people find jobs and advance in careers. The Senate FY 2012 Labor, HHS, Education bill would provide:
- Approximately $2.6 billion for the Workforce Investment Act’s Adult, Youth, and Dislocated Workers funding streams
- $100 million for a Workforce Innovation Fund, a decrease compared to approximately $124 million in FY 2011
- Nearly $450 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the same amount provided in FY 2011
- More than $3.1 billion for vocational rehabilitation grants to states, an increase from nearly $3.1 billion in FY 2011
- Sufficient funds to maintain the maximum Pell grant award at $5,550.
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Goodwill Urges Congress to Preserve Funding Supporting Job Seekers, Pell Grants in Debt Reduction Deal
With less than a week before the U.S. is expected to start defaulting on its loans, Goodwill Industries International (GII) sent a letter to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives urging it to maintain funding for programs that assist people Goodwill serves, including individuals with disabilities, youth, adults, dislocated workers, older workers, veteran, people with a criminal background and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients.
Goodwill Industries Serving Hampton Roads and Central Virginia is Honored with a Goodwill® Advocacy Leader Award
Goodwill Industries International has named Goodwill Industries® Serving Central Virginia and Hampton Roads (Richmond, VA) as its Advocacy Leader for 2011. The award recognizes a Goodwill agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing Goodwill’s policy and advocacy efforts to further Goodwill’s mission of helping people secure employment and build stronger communities. The agency is also recognized for building relationships with federal and state policymakers.
