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.
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.
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!
On hot summer days, festival style prevails! That’s because the trend itself was inspired by long days in the sun that necessitated light layers and wide brimmed hats to keep shady and comfortable. Whether you’re actually attending an outdoor concert series this year or just trying to stay cool while looking cool, hop on the boho bandwagon to seamlessly blend summer attire in with summer adventures. Here’s how…
Image via MarandaVandergriff.com
High waists, light denim, and sunnies are all staples in festival style, but how exactly can we incorporate them into our wardrobe without seeming drab or outdated? This festival guide from blogger Maranda Vandergriff is a fantastic place to start! She’s got some great ideas – like wearing this button up dress she found at Goodwill as a duster – and seriously practical advice. One of the best suggestions she has is to search for vintage items in thrift stores. These unique pieces will completely embrace the style and may have actually attended a festival or two before you were even around (Woodstock, anyone?). Check out her post for more inspo!
Image via Pinterest.com/sfgoodwill
Make sure you’ve also got some great accessories ready to round out your look. As with so many different styles, jewelry can make or break it. To channel the haute hippie inside of you, drape on lots of jewelry – necklaces, rings, bracelets, the works! Look for stone and crystal jewelry under the counter of your local Goodwill store or check out Goodwill Industries of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties‘ (CA) jewelry pinboard for inspiration. This ring, for example, would be the perfect addition and I love its great price tag, too!
Image via Instagram.com/jpenningroth
After festival season has come to a close and fall creeps in, reminders of your summertime adventures will be a welcomed sight. Since festival fashion always embraces bold patterns inspired by cultures around the world, an excellent way to bring this aesthetic into your home is with a geometric woven tapestry. This one was snagged by Jen at a Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries (Boston) store and it perfectly captures that boho vibe we are paying homage to today. If you’re not lucky enough to find a similar weaving in your local thrift store, maybe you are brave enough to try making one yourself! There are always skeins and skeins of yarn on the shelves when I browse Goodwill and with a little time and creativity, those could easily become customized wall hangings!
I love how so many of the style elements described here can be paired with more conventional clothing pieces to remain a little more neutral, but when donned together, they create an outlandishly fun boho look. Another truly wonderful thing about shopping at Goodwill for your warm weather attire is that through its entrepreneurial business model of collecting and selling donated goods, Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items in environmentally sound ways, and prevents items from piling up in local landfills. Think of shopping at your local Goodwill as a way for you to give back to the earth that has provided the ideal summer weather for your festival enjoyment!
Eduardo works diligently in the Job Center each day to help individuals who need assistance with a resume, cover letter, or finding and applying for a job.
“I like that the Goodwill allows me to impact people’s lives in a positive way,” Eduardo passionately states.
Stop in and say hello to Eduardo in our Sioux Falls Job Center located at
3400 S. Norton Avenue Sioux Falls, SD. The hours of the Job Center are
Monday-Thursday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
