Goodwill of the Great Plains

Channel Your Goodwill® Wanderlust

What’s the first thing you do when you visit a new city? For me, after I’ve settled into my hotel and refueled at a café, I have to track down the closest Goodwill® retail store! Since each and every one is stocked with items donated by those who live nearby, individual locations become completely distinct and allow visitors to get a taste for that specific region’s lifestyle. One thing that all branches of Goodwill have in common, though, is their mission to help build healthy communities. Since Goodwill has earned the trust and support of more than 86 million donors in the United States and Canada, there’s a good chance that if you’re traveling in North America you will stumble upon a store or two.

Image via GoodwillTips.blogspot.com

This summer, loads of families are packing into their cars and making the trek out of state. Technology is an easy answer for keeping kids calm while passing the time, but I’ve always been a fan of family fun and good old-fashioned travel games instead. If you have kids then you know how truly short attention spans can be. For this reason, I highly recommend preparing several in-car activities like these shared by Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. Putting games together yourself will save money and earn you some bragging rights. The tactile exercises will also help kids gain new skills and satisfy sensory instincts when they’re buckled in and unable to exert their plentiful energy!

Image via SunniesAndChardonnay.com

Now, if you’re not able to travel at this time, you can still get your fix by inviting the whole planet inside your home (What!? How!?). Globes pop up at Goodwill all the time! I found a fantastic standing globe once at my local store and I’m considering this celestial makeover for it created by a blogger named Kirsten. Her dream décor was well above her budget so she took matters into her own hands. You can find the instructions to make one of these beauties yourself on her blog, Sunnies and Chardonnay.

Image via Facebook.com/GoodwillKansas

Of all the places I’ve visited, London was by far my favorite. I found the city to be clean, fun, and friendly, so this display from Goodwill Industries of Kansas made me want to hop on the next plane across the pond. Allowing your home to capture the spirit of places you’ve loved visiting is the perfect way to create a space that inspires you. Plus, it’s great conversation for when you have guests and it will very likely segue into a viewing of your vacation pictures – a great excuse to relive the memories.

Are you off to anywhere special this summer or will you instead be reliving past trips? If there’s one thing I’ve learned while on my journey through life, it’s that you can recreate almost anything – travel activities, home décor, memories, and more – for less than half the price if you are willing to put some time into it. I’ve also learned that most successful projects start at the thrift store. Hey, where there’s a (Good)will, there’s a way!

Celebrate The Americans With Disabilities Act

By Laura Walling, GII senior director of government affairs, advocacy & legislative affairs

This week marks the 29th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education and public accommodations.

Goodwill® has been dedicated to supporting employment opportunities for people with disabilities, among others, since its founding in 1902. Our collective aspirations for people with significant disabilities include: opportunities for choice, to earn wages, to reach potential, to experience improved quality of life, and to achieve social acceptance and integration. Services are customized for the individual, including his or her support system. Services also leverage community resources and are delivered while recognizing that the individual is both the leader of his or her service plan and a customer of Goodwill.

In 2018, more than 310,000 people who self-identified as having disabilities engaged in career services from local Goodwill organizations. Goodwill’s commitment to supporting the aspirations of people with disabilities are grounded in choice and the ability to earn wages. Goodwill aspires for all individuals, including people with disabilities, to reach their full potential and enhance their quality of life. Robert Frank, Goodwill Industries International’s Achiever of the Year is one of those individuals. Robert suffered physical abuse as a child, including blows to the head that left him with a cognitive disability. With support from Goodwill, he learned to read and write. At age 65, he read a book for the first time, giving him new confidence and a more positive outlook on life.

Goodwill believes everyone should have the opportunity to live independently, earn wages and achieve their dreams. Despite the great advances that have been made since the passage of the ADA, particularly in public policy and technology, more can be done to eliminate barriers faced by people with disabilities, especially those with significant disabilities. While disability employment rates are improving as an increasing number of people with disabilities are on the job, struggles still exist when compared to the workforce as a whole. Nearly 80% of people with disabilities are not a part of the labor force. Furthermore, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is nearly double than those without a disability.

As disability advocates and service providers take this time to reflect on the past and celebrate this milestone in our country’s history, let us not forget the future. How can we continue to challenge ourselves to be innovative, more inclusive, and change policies that can help improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families for the next 29 years and beyond?

Thrifty and Unique Goodwill Finds

This week we are featuring Barb who is a frequent Goodwill shopper at our Sioux Falls stores, specifically our Kiwanis store. She enjoys shopping in our stores for DIY projects and gifts for family and friends. One of the reasons Barb loves shopping in our stores is with her purchase she is helping people in her community with employment and education.

All items were found at Goodwill of the Great Plains stores by Barb who crafted them into unique pieces.

Lovely old chair with elegant formal dresses

Plastic tablecloth with elegant statuary and artificial flowers

Painted coffee table and sofa covered in chenille bedspread and various pillows

Painted bookcase and dresser with new knobs

Meet the Staff of Integrated Day Services

Vickie, Program Manager

Vickie heard about Goodwill by browsing through the employment section in the local newspaper. Goodwill was hiring for a Respite Provider and Vickie was needing a position with more solid hours. Vickie interviewed and accepted the job offer.

Vickie has a variety of different responsibilities that include: overseeing the Integrated Day Services program, helping with participants goals, taking attendance for billing and resolving staff issues. The participants make the job fulfilling for Vickie. “I like seeing their smiles. You make their day by stopping and talking to them. I like helping turn their bad day into a good day,” Vickie grinned.

Who is your hero?
- My mom. From the time I was in high school she had medical issues, but she always pushed on and persevered.
What is your dream vacation?
- Germany. I spent 3 years when my husband was in the military. I loved it. I would love to go back to Germany during Christmas time.
What are a couple of interesting facts about you?
- I have 12 grandchildren.
- I love race car driving and NASCAR.

5 Tips For Networking At Social Events

By Randy Wooden, Director, Professional Center by Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina

Networking and growing your social network can help your chances of being hired, but I hear a few common challenges people have in social settings. Today, let’s explore five tips for making the most of professional and social networking events, including interactions with friends and your faith or civic organizations. People tend to hire and do business with those they know, like and trust. As they say, it’s both what you know and who you know.

Tip #1. Just do it. For some, meeting new people might feel as uncomfortable as public speaking or going to the dentist. It is okay to be nervous; remember: what is the worst that could happen? We all have things we would prefer to avoid but know we need to do them if we are to achieve certain outcomes. Go for it! The more you network, the more relaxed and confident you will become.

Tip #2. Ask someone you know to introduce you to people they know. Whether or not you are shy, it’s important to speak with people you don’tknow to help grow your network of connections.

Tip #3. Keep conversations positive, light and brief. You do not need to give them your life story. Ask open-ended questions. “What do you do?” “What got you into that line of work?” “What are your hobbies?”

When they ask you similar questions, avoid asking for a job. Instead, share some details about the work you would like to do and ask with whom they might suggest you speak about that sort of work.

Tip #4. Ask for their business card so you can follow up on the event. You can send them a brief email referencing some element of the conversation and about how you enjoyed meeting them. If you have a LinkedIn profile, ask send a connection request and work toward sustaining contact beyond that initial meeting.

Tip #5. Have fun! With these tips, you will succeed and build confidence to in growing your network. Good luck!