Back to School season is here! It’s August and school will be back in session before we know it. At Goodwill, you can find brand name clothing, shoes, accessories, and backpacks at a low price. We have Back to School styles for everyone from grade school to college students. Take the stress out of shopping by visiting your local Goodwill of the Great Plains. You will not only be saving money but will be helping support Goodwill’s amazing mission of helping individuals become self-sufficient through employment and education.
What will be your Back to School style this year? Athletic, preppy, rocker, bohemian or casual. You can define your style this year at Goodwill with brand name items at a great price that won’t break the bank.
Back to School Style Ideas for Teens and College Students
Athletic wear is cute and comfy plus it’s in style. Patterned leggings, tennis shoes, and an athletic top is all you need to make this outfit.
Leather jackets can make any outfit look put together. The jacket make a bold statement and you can dress up or down depending on your outfit.
Fall is coming and boots and a jean jacket are perfect for the crisp , fall evenings. This outfit is perfect for hanging out with friends at the movies or the mall.
Back to School Style Ideas for Grade School
Jeans are a staple for any boys closet. They are versatile and boys can never have too many jeans.
Dresses are an easy outfit for any girl who loves to dress up.
Athletic wear is great for kids too! It’s easy to style and comfortable.
Steve has been helping people for over 24 years. Steve started his career by helping individuals in group homes with daily living tasks that include laundry, keeping rooms clean, and meal preparation. Steve needed more stable work because transportation was difficult to find at night.
Steve started making cold calls and contacted Goodwill and talked to a Goodwill staff member about a job opening in Integrated Day Services. Steve has been involved with Integrated Day Services for 20 years. He enjoys talking to the participants and helping them with the goals they are working on. “I love the individuals in Integrated Day Services and I have made a lot of good friends over the years”, Steve concluded.
What was the last movie you watched in
theatres?
Dog’s Journey
What is your favorite family vacation?
Lake Okoboji.
What is your proudest achievement?
This would be getting a job 20 years ago. It
took me a year and a half to find a job. Goodwill was willing to realize that I
could do the job. I had the education and that even though I am in a wheelchair
I am still capable of doing the job.
Alas, the days of summer vacation are in the past for most of us, so we pass up the pool in favor of a paycheck every Monday through Friday. But that doesn’t mean your summer style must be compromised! Unless you’re lucky enough to work outside and enjoy this glorious season before it’s gone, you may need to consciously include it in your 9 to 5 life. Here are a couple of ways to do that…
Put a little spring (or summer!) into your step every morning by donning work wear that reflects these warm, sunny days. I found a blog post with ten apparel items crafted into six outfits that are perfectly professional. Thanks to Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota (St. Paul) for that fun mix-and-match, I’m inspired to get ready for work tomorrow morning! There are no windows in my office, so including color like this will dramatically improve the summer vibes. I would highly suggest investing in well-priced attire at Goodwill that, like these pieces, can work together to create lots of different looks. It’s such an efficient way to make the most of your money!
Now, who says that home décor is just for the home? I find myself to be much more productive when my surroundings are tidy and well dressed, so why not bring my love of thrifty decoration to the office? A small, framed art piece like this one is easy to make (don’t forget to check out the DIY tutorial from The Crafted Sparrow) and just as simple to swap out with the seasons. This will keep the office from feeling stagnant and season-less, especially if it’s a cubicle. All you need to get started on this project is a second-hand picture frame, some washi tape, and poster board!
While we’re on the
topic of a workplace, it might be a great time for me to share these tips for
job seekers that Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and The
CSRA (Macon) shared on their
website. Whether you are out of work at the moment or just looking to advance
in your current environment, I find these tips to be helpful. And, wouldn’t you
know, number one is dressing the part! I bet you want to go back and peek at
that summer work wears blog post I mentioned now, huh?
Even if your job may sometimes feel like a
grind, I’m sure that deep down you know that work itself is incredibly
important. It allows us all to support our families, to be active members of
our communities, and to gain confidence and feel fulfilled. We are all lucky to
have good work to do and maybe a little summer accessorizing will help us share
that positivity with the rest of our coworkers! If you’d like to help others in
your area gain the opportunity to work, because of Goodwill’s business model
it’s this simple: Donate stuff, create jobs. There’s no better time than now!
Klari, our new Job Center Representative at our Sioux Falls Job Center, is passionate about working in the Job Center. “I enjoy helping each individual who comes in the Job Center each day.”
If you are an avid thrifter, you will probably think of Goodwill right away when it comes to shopping, no matter the occasion. But as back to school season approaches, you may find yourself even more eager to browse the aisles for great deals on necessities for the upcoming year. Local Goodwill organizations support mission services through the sale of donated clothes and household items at more than 3,300 Goodwill stores and online through shopgoodwill.com, the first nonprofit Internet auction site, and through contract services, private and public grants, and individual giving. With so many places to shop and a steady stream of new donations coming into those stores, Goodwill will never give you that all-the-good-stuff-is-gone panic attack you might have when shopping at big-box stores the week before the first school bell rings. To help you get ready for the new semester, here are a few of our favorite back to school finds…
I love this back to school thrift haul video from Got It at Goodwill! On top of a $400 bag, which she scored for only $10, the video-blogger also found a huge array of cute clothes and shoes to start her school year off on the right foot. As a teacher, she talks about how important it is for her to find versatile clothing that is easy to move around in while still maintaining a professional appearance. But students, too, can find just what they need to update their wardrobe without spending a fortune. You can see in this video how many fashionable pieces are just waiting to head to a new home. As parents know, kids can grow a lot even just in one school year so second-hand goods are the perfect way to save money, be prepared, and minimize your family’s environmental impact as this new season starts.
Image via prodigalpieces.com
Speaking of how quickly kids grow, have you seen those first days of school vs. last day of school picture comparisons? These days many parents are snapping a photo of their kids heading off to start the new school year then taking the same photo again when school lets out in June. Putting these two pictures side-by-side creates a great visual of the child’s growth that will just tug at your heartstrings, especially as the years stack up. To take this sentimental project one-step further, I pulled inspiration from Goodwill of Southeast Georgia (Savannah)’s Craft Ideas pinboard where they shared this fun DIY chalkboard prop! For consistency throughout the school years, you could make a standing chalkboard like this from a Goodwill baby crib, drying rack, or garden trellis to have your little book worm to stand next to.
On it, write the grade they are entering or graduating from, their age, height, favorite subject, or whatever you want! This is such a smart way to keep track of the seasons as they speed by and it would be so special to see every photo lined up at high school or college graduation!
Image via pinterest.com/GoodwillINW
When those high-school grads do head
off to college, another huge back to school expense awaits: outfitting their
dorm. Goodwill to the rescue again! With dishes and cleaning supplies ready to
buy, parents will know they are setting their kids up for a smooth semester.
Students themselves might be more excited about furniture and decor for the
dorm so, if that’s who you’re shopping for, make sure they check out this Dorm Decor on a Dime pinboard
from Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest (Spokane) for ideas. It’s easy to pack a lot of personality and
functionality into a small space by using some of the techniques (like this
well-dressed loft bed and futon layout) shared there!
Once you’ve got all of your back to
school style and supplies ready to go, the only thing left to do is mentally
prepare yourself (or your kiddos) for another year of schedules and studying.
Unfortunately, we will have to leave that part to you. But we will send our
wishes for a successful school year and you know where to find us when you
think of that one last thing your child needs before they can go back to
school.
