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A Mentor for Life at Goodwill

Three years ago Amanda was in a dark, lonely place in her life. She was struggling to barely live paycheck to paycheck. Working 2-3 jobs making minimum wage while battling depression and anxiety which caused her doubt herself and who she was. Amanda knew that a change was not only needed but necessary. “I wanted to provide for my daughter. I needed something better,” Amanda said. “I needed stability.”

Loree, Store Manager, at the Fort Dodge encouraged Amanda to apply for an open position when she was visiting the store on a shopping trip. Amanda had hesitations about working at Goodwill because of the fast-paced environment of the backroom. She really didn’t know if she could handle it. Despite these hesitations, Amanda took a chance, applied for the job and was hired. “When I first started I was really quiet,” she said. “It was rough my first year.”

What Amanda didn’t realize was that Loree would be the friend and mentor that she needed at this point in her life. “Loree sets the tone here. You can go to Loree about anything. No matter what’s on her mind, she makes time for you,” Amanda stated with assurance. To Amanda, Loree is the mentor that is not afraid of challenging you to help you see the potential in yourself. “She genuinely cares about each and every one of her employees.”

Amanda has made significant progress since she has been with Goodwill which includes being promoted to Team Lead. Amanda admits she is starting to figure out who she is but is not as stressed out as she was three years ago, and her mental health is in a better place. “Looking back on it now. I have been through a lot. I had to work several jobs where I hardly saw my daughter and struggled with mental health, but I am working on it and I believe everything will come together.”

Meet the Program Managers-Maggie

 

Hello! My name is Maggie. I manage our Pre-Vocational Program for adults with Mental Illness and Brain Injury.  Individuals who have a desire to work but struggle with mental illness or a brain injury come to me and I work with them for 2 years to prepare them to transition into community employment.  I work with them on many different skills that are needed for anyone to be able to maintain employment at any location.  I truly enjoy watching people come to me with struggles and barriers and grow over the two years I work with them.  It is so rewarding to see how people can succeed when they never thought they could.

What do you wish you knew more about?

  • I wish I could expand my knowledge on Mental Illness and Abnormal Psychology. I have learned so much working in the job I do, but my desire to continue learning is strong.

What would be your ideal way to spend the weekend?

  • My ideal way to spend a weekend would be to take a trip and see a new place I have never been. I love meeting new people, exploring new places, and experiencing new cultures.

What is something you think everyone should do once in their lives?

  • I believe everyone should take at least one trip outside of the country to a place they have never been.  It is truly amazing to experience other cultures and to be able to live the way they do for a small period of time.  My travels have opened my eyes to so much and I believe everyone should experience that feeling at least once during their lifetime.

Three Spring Shoe Trends That Are Bound To Put Some Pep In Your Step

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March has certainly come in like a lion – snowstorms are hitting the Northeast left and right and people are wondering the same thing – didn’t the groundhog call for an early spring? Weather like this makes it hard not to scroll wistfully through social media feeds sighing at pictures of beautiful beach sunsets and tropical places. I guess patience is a virtue and while we’re waiting for spring to come, we may as well start prepping our wardrobes in anticipation.

Besides the sun and warm weather – yay! – I’m excited for many of the SS’19 trends. This season we’re going to be seeing a lot of 60’s inspired colors and early 90’s textures. It makes an interesting combination and is going to help make this spring fun for fashion – and especially footwear.

Of course, as with everything, fashion is cyclical. None of these trends are tremendously groundbreaking and in some cases are recycled from runway collections past. This is awesome for your wallet – because your local Goodwill® stores will likely have many of these trends sitting on their racks. While you’re shopping at Goodwill for the new season, it’s a great reminder that you are contributing to a more sustainable world and helping people in your community find jobs and get the financial assistance they need.

Here are some of the biggest footwear trends to lookout for this spring:

 1. Neon Colors

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Photo: LC’s Closet

When it comes to colors of the upcoming season, think bright and bold. You can accessorize any outfit with a bold shoe. Colors of the season will range from a feisty neon pink to a cool neon green. My favorite color within this range is a vibrant blue, which has been in and out of style for the past few years – making it easier to thrift items of this color!

 2. Strappy Sandals and Heels

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Photo: @charitynewsweek

If you watched the Oscars this year, you may have noticed that thin, strappy sandals are back in style. Though they may not always be the most comfortable, they are stylish and can have a slimming effect on your feet. This style shoe – for both heels and flats – have been popular on and off the last few years so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a great second-hand pair and your local Goodwill.

3. Plastic Detailing

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Photo: FootwearNews.com

Somewhat ironically, especially when you think of the current state of the environment, plastic detailing and embellishments are becoming en vogue this spring. A short hop away from jellied textured shoes, this trend is bringing everything from plastic straps to plastic heels to even an entirely plastic boot to the shelves. Bonus points for the brands that are combining the neon trend and coloring their plastics on the shoes. I’m predicting this trend will be a bit short lived (and uncomfortable, not all plastics are flexible!) so by the time summer hits, there should be a great selection to thrift from.

4. Silky Textures

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Photo: @mychicobsession

In contrast to the plastic trend, silky textures and satin ribbon straps and ankle scarves are in style – and your feet will be incredibly happy! Mixed with pretty colors and interesting shoe shapes, this is one trend that’s here to stay throughout the season and even into fall.

5. Embellished Heels & Cool Shapes

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Photo: Livingly.com

No longer exclusive to runway brands, this season fast-fashion brands have already started molding the shape of the heels of their shoes into interesting shapes and textures. Wooden heels with geometric detailing will be in style this spring and we’ll continue to see beautiful detailing in both narrow and block heels throughout the summer. If you search through your local Goodwill stores, there’s a good chance you’ll find some shoes in this trend. I just found a pair of gorgeous brand new Taryn Rose platform block heels for $14.99, and at regular retail price they cost upwards of $250!

Deb’s Supportive Family Found at Goodwill

A family is a safe place where people love you unconditionally and are there for you in the hard times that life has to offer. Deb found this family with Goodwill. In 2017, Deb had 4 deaths within 4 months in her immediate family. This was a difficult time her and she went through a time of depression. Deb said what got her through the depression was her Goodwill family.  After a moment of reflection and gratefulness she said, “I looked forward to coming into work because I knew I was home.  I was with family”. Deb had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face when she said, “These guys were amazing. Goodwill is a family. The store managers, regional managers, all the way up to the Vilay (Chief Operating Officer) are amazing. You couldn’t ask to be treated any better.”

Deb is proud to work with Goodwill and she appreciates the work that Goodwill does in our job training programs for individuals with barriers. Deb stated with pride and thought, “The help we give our participants is amazing. They get a chance to get back into the workforce without worrying if they are going to be able to do this. Goodwill gives them a chance to prove themselves that they can do this, and nothing is beyond what you dreamed you could do. You just have to believe in yourself and I think that Goodwill makes people feel this way.”

Deb personally understands the work that Goodwill does is important and makes an impact on people. She has an autistic grandson and realizes that individuals with disabilities can get into the workforce and be successful, Deb said with optimism, “I hope that he ends up with Goodwill. At Goodwill they will be able to give him the opportunity, teaching, and the learning he would need. Goodwill has opened my eyes even more than my grandson did to how capable these people are.”

For Deb, family is important for her and she recognizes that Goodwill is home and that her Goodwill family will always be there for her no matter what. She knows that they will be here for her in the good and bad times because that is what family does for each other.

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?

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Among the toughest interview questions is why you are no longer employed.  Let’s dive into ways of addressing that question.

First of all, notice the wording.  There’s a major difference between being unemployed and looking while being employed.  The latter – looking while being employed – is pretty easy.  You’re seeking professional growth, challenge, perhaps a career change, etcetra.  Focus on the positives of the new position for which you’re interviewing.

But what if you’re unemployed?  Most people don’t walk away from a job without another job lined up unless they’re relocating for family reasons.  Otherwise, if they do walk away,  it may be because the job was not a fit for their skills or workplace culture preferences.

If you did walk away, you may not want to divulge that information.  Instead, acknowledge it’s somewhat rare to step aside from a job without something waiting for you.

Once you’ve done that, let them know it was a difficult decision, but you felt it wasn’t fair to your previous employer or to yourself to remain there.  You decided to step aside to evaluate where you want to be next.  Job searching is a full time job, and you didn’t want to do it while being employed full time.

If you didn’t quit and your employer pulled the plug, how do you spin that?

I’m no employment attorney, so this isn’t legal advice.  If you were terminated for cause, I believe you need to briefly mention it when asked.  Admit your mistake, indicate you’ve learned from it, and let them know you’ve taken steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

But what about those awkward times when you didn’t  get along with your boss?  You don’t want to admit you can’t seem to play well with others.  So how do you explain that sort of termination?

Two answers may work.  If you weren’t the only person terminated, then let them know that the company had a reorganization that included your job ending.

If relatively new management has come aboard, share that information. New managers often surround themselves with their own team; this can mean releasing or reassigning employees working under the previous manager.

No matter what happened, never bad mouth your past employer.  Indicate you’ve learned a lot and welcomed the chance to contribute.  Then turn your focus toward what you like about the position for which you’re interviewing.

These days, very few people stay with one company their entire career.  Sooner or later, most of us will face that “why did you leave” or “why are you looking to leave” question.  I hope this post has given you some tips on how to answer.  Good luck!