“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”- Aesop
A few years ago, Loren came back to the town of Mitchell
with only $20 in his pocket. He didn’t know where to go or what to do. The
generosity of the Mitchell community helped Loren get back on his feet.
Loren received a clothing voucher from Goodwill but didn’t
know what Goodwill was about or what they do. One of the Goodwill employees
recommended that he apply for the Job Center position since most of his life he
worked with people and created relationships with them in a few car dealerships
in town.
Loren was hired and found his purpose working in the Job
Center. “I was trying to give back to what the community did for me and through
Goodwill, I can do that”, Loren said with a smile on his face. “These people
that I didn’t realize I had made much of an impact in their lives helped me get
a job.”
One of the individuals that came into the Job Center was
Carol. She was struggling to get an interview at a local college’s human
resources department. Loren was determined to help her get the interview and
Loren made a few calls to make sure that she would get an interview. She had an
interview the next day because of Loren’s help. In 2012, Loren received an
award from Goodwill for the outstanding work he was doing.
Loren started out in the retail store when he was working in
the Job Center and has moved up to Team Lead and to his current position as
Assistant Manager. Loren loves helping
people and this is one of the reasons he continues to work in the Goodwill
retail store. He knows he is making a difference in people’s lives. Loren’s
compassionate heart has made an impact on not just the Mitchell community but
the Goodwill community.
Just about everyone I know is, in some way, striving to become more eco-conscious (yay!). But at times the whole process can seem overwhelming. Don’t let yourself feel too bogged down; even small changes can make big progress. If we can each adjust our habits little by little, over time we can positively impact the planet in a major way without feeling overwhelmed. In case you need a little inspiration this Earth Week, below are seven small habits you could work on. Try adding one to your routine each day and imagine the difference you will have made by Earth Week next year!
1. Swap to biodegradable paper or stainless steel reusable straws. Do you get drinks on the go? Disposable plastic straws may seem tiny and insignificant, but if you treat yourself to a slurpable drink once a week, that’s 52 straws per year that you’re contributing to landfills. And since plastic doesn’t decompose like paper, though you only used each of those straws one time, they may take up space on our planet for hundreds of years (or more)! Even worse, as they do eventually break down, they can have toxic effects on wildlife and the planet.
But if those Monday morning iced coffees or Friday afternoon smoothies feel like they’re the only things that get you through the week, don’t break your habit—adjust it! You can have your cake—errr, drink—and enjoy it, too! “Green” your habit by consuming less plastic. Bring a reusable cup and reusable or biodegradable straws. This travel cup and straw set that I found at Goodwill comes with two bath bombs! Not sure what the connection between those two things is, but I can assure you that I’ll enjoy both parts of this $2 buy!
I also saw this darling little sectioned basket while I was thrifting this weekend. If you need a reminder to grab a straw on your way out the door, try popping this on the kitchen counter in plain sight and create a cute display with colorful paper straws or stainless steel ones. If they’re right out in the open, you’re more likely to make it a habit to grab one on your way out the door!
2. Add air-cleaning greenery to your home. Does your weekly routine include watering plants? Certain plants can help to remove toxic chemicals and pollutants from airspace contributing to cleaner indoor air. Once you’re in the habit of caring for spider plants, snake plants, peace lilies, or whichever air-cleaning plant you choose, you’ll be able to breathe a little easier and take your green thumb outdoors!
Since one of the main functions of plants is consuming carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, the more plants you can introduce to your environment (inside or out), the better it is for your health and the health of our planet! Try to get at least two plants per 100 square feet inside your home or office. Instead of buying new plastic planters, scope out the options at Goodwill that have already lived one life. I found this adorable trio of ceramic dinosaurs just waiting to be filled with some soil and succulents. But don’t limit yourself to real planters! What second-hand items catch your eye that can be repurposed to pot plants?
3. Start a compost. Instead of tossing your biodegradable scraps in the trash, look for a compost pail at Goodwill to start making your own healthy soil! If you have yard space, create a compost pile outside to build rich dirt from your waste material. Not only will this decrease the amount of trash you send to the landfills, it will also minimize your output of methane (a greenhouse gas which has increased substantially due to human activity and is contributing to climate change). Even if you live in a city and don’t have space outside, you can still enrich the Earth with the right foundation for new plant growth. Just look into compost pick-up or drop-off options in your area. Many cities have them these days!
4.Make an Earth-friendly utensil travel set from thrifted fabric and silverware. Get in the habit of carrying it around so you’ll never need to grab plastic silverware when you’re eating on the go! Hey, you could even add your Earth-friendly straw!
5.Stop buying your regular dish tabs. We’re creatures of habit and once we find a certain product we like, we tend to stick with it. The problem is that products like dish tabs usually come in plastic bags and can sometimes include freaky chemicals. But you still need to wash your dishes, right? So how about making your own dish tabs with more natural ingredients? Crank out large batches of these babies and stash them in a cute countertop jar you find at Goodwill.
6.Don’t reach for the heat when you’re cold! Instead of cranking the thermostat up when you’re cold, throw on an extra layer. Just remember that not all layers are created equal; look for wool socks and sweaters or down vests. These natural fibers are seasonal staples that have been keeping people warm through frigid winters long before we had the heating options we have today. By changing this habit you’ll use fewer fossil fuels and create less pollution. You’ll also save money—win, win!
But wool and down are expensive, right? Not at Goodwill! Especially at this time of the year. Right now people are doing their spring cleaning which means they’re donating a lot of winter layers to make room for summer styles. Snatch those babies up now so you’ll be ready for when the temps drop down again in the fall. I found these snuggly sweaters at my local Goodwill this weekend. They’re from Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap and each one is at least 25% wool—so cozy!
7.Instead of tossing everything in the dryer, hang dry! I still struggle with this one myself. It’s just so much faster and easier to throw freshly-washed laundry into the dryer. But, again, you’re not doing the Earth any favors by relying on a dryer to finish off your laundry routine. In the past, one of the biggest things that has hung me up is having too much laundry for my clothes-horse inside. In the summer, of course, hanging everything outside is a refreshing and free way to get stuff dry, but in the winter I’d rather not live in a draped-laundry forest. So, join me in making my laundry day habits more eco-friendly. Here’s how:
Instead of having a designated laundry day where you wash a week’s worth of clothes, do no more than one load of laundry per day. This will mean that you do it more often, but it won’t take as long and you can hang-dry your clothes without a massive amount of clothing strewn about your space. Prepare one area with the right hanging fixtures and get in the habit of hanging. This could mean thrifting a clothes horse, stringing up a retractable laundry lines inside, or both! Goodwill has plenty of items to help you build the right area to hang-dry in your home.
So, what do you think? Are you up to this Earth Week challenge? Just focus on one habit each day and carry those forward with you through the rest of the year until it becomes your new routine! Even if you’re only changing one of these this year, you’re still making a positive difference. They may be little ways to help the environment, but they’re each beneficial. What are your favorite ways to live an eco-friendly life?
LaDonna wasn’t expecting to receive an award at the Employee
Connectivity Retreat this year. Her face in tears as she was accepting this
award says it all. “It felt good to know the people I work with really
appreciate me,” Ladonna said while smiling. “As a manager, I want to help
people grow and to see my team sees this is a reward enough.”
LaDonna will be retiring at the end of this year and she is
reflecting on the time that she has had with Goodwill. “When I came to Goodwill
I knew nobody but as time went on I got to know names and I give people hugs
now. I tell my co-workers they are family. I spend more time with them then I
do my own husband,” LaDonna said while laughing. Goodwill has been a special
place for LaDonna because she has learned leadership skills that have inspired
her employees. “The one thing I can’t express enough is Goodwill giving me this
chance. When I first started I was unsure of myself and Tami kept encouraging
me saying, ‘You can do it’. If it wasn’t for Goodwill giving me a chance I
wouldn’t have been able to experience what I do now,” LaDonna stated with
reflection.
The plans that LaDonna has after she retires from Goodwill
is to travel and spend time with family. LaDonna states with excitement, “It’s
important for me to spend time with my family. I have a daughter in California
and 2 brothers in Arizona. I want to spend as much time as I can with them.”
Some of the places that LaDonna wants to travel to is Niagara Falls and the
Redwood Forrest. LaDonna is excited about the next chapter in her life and we
wish her all the best for the future.
Moonlighting has given way to a new term – side hustle. Throw in gig economy, and it’s a new world out there. But does your boss need to know what you do in your spare time to earn extra income? Some companies require you to tell them if you’re earning money outside of your employment with them. They have three primary reasons for wanting to know.
They want to be sure you’re not creating a conflict of interest. In my role with Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina (Winson Salem), I lead our Professional Center, assisting professionals with their job search. It would be a conflict of interest for me to have a side hustle where I provide similar individualized services for an hourly fee. It would also be inappropriate for me to go to work for a direct competitor.
They don’t want other work to negatively impact your ability to perform your current job. For example, if my job requires me to be on call or perhaps work an irregular schedule, but my side gig requires me to be on site, my full-time employer would have issues with that. You can’t be in two places at once. If your side hustle work means you show up tired or late, your full-time employer won’t be happy.
Your side hustle could reflect negatively on your primary employer. Companies guard their brand to avoid controversy and awkward publicity.
Even if your employer doesn’t require you to disclose your side hustle, I’d encourage you to level with them. Any potential fallout is likely much less than if they happen to discover it later, especially if they find one or more of their concerns above apply.
Whether it’s out of necessity to make ends meet or simply as a way to earn a little spending money, many people have multiple income sources.
Let’s consider some potential side hustles. There’s always the part-time hourly job in the service industry; retail, restaurants, and others come to mind. Scheduling work hours could be a challenge and mayconflict with your full-time job.
The internet has given rise to a multitude of jobs you can perform whenever you wish. Whether it’s being a driver, renting out a room, doing tasks, providing care or perhaps selling items online, you choose how much time you wish to devote to it. You could also choose to work an hourly job part-time from home. This could alleviate trying to be in two places at once – the issue you might encounter if trying to work in customer service, for instance.
Lots of people work a side hustle, and many employers realize this. Regardless of your reason for taking on a second job, keep in mind why employers would want to be informed. Good luck!
Most job hunters face challenges, particularly when looking to change industries or job functions. Even though the unemployment rate for veterans is below that of the general population, veterans may face different challenges; let’s explore three and some tips for dealing with them.
1. The written word, particularly resumes. All industries have unique jargon, and the military is no different with its job titles, acronyms, and phrasing. Your task is to de-militarize your resume’s wording by using the corporate world’s equivalent terminology. For example, personnel could translate into associates or human resources. Mission could translate to project. Company/squadron/platoon could translate into department, division, or perhaps organization. The website www.military.com is one of many resources that help translat military-speak into corporate-speak. Try having your resume reviewed by a career coach or civilian hiring official for their feedback.
2. Networking. Most of us, veterans included, tend to spend time with our co-workers and family rather than establishing and maintaining a broad professional network. Try attending veterans and professional events beyond hiring fairs. Check LinkedIn or a Google search for veterans groups that focus on advancing careers. You’ll find you have company wrestling with a career transition. You’ll pick up pointers on how to engage in the civilian labor market while establishing relationships with others who’ve already made the leap and are eager to help others do the same. Get out, and get involved.
3. The interview. Just as you’ve tried to replace military-speak with corporate language on your resume, you’ll need to do the same during your interview. Getting the words right is only part of the challenge
Boot camp works to remove a person’s individuality: “I” becomes “we.” In interviews, you’ll need to cite accomplishments, ideally your accomplishments and not necessarily those of your team. Now is the time to toot your own horn.
Ask people to do practice interviews so you can practice using civilian rather than military-speak. Your service is great; now it is time to convey how you did it in terminology your potential employer can understand.
Remember to smile and talk with your hands and arms open. You’re bringing lots of technical skills as well as training in a myriad of interpersonal scenarios. You have transferable hard and soft skills that include things like problem solving, negotiating, dependability, critical thinking and effective team work.
Many employers are wisely eager to hire vets. Do your part: show them how your past experiences mesh well in their corporate world.
