What if Goodwill Industries of Arkansas earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations to Goodwill Industries of Arkansas add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 30 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting Goodwill!

And if you download the GoodSearch – Goodwill Industries - Arkansas toolbar, our cause will earn money every time you shop and search online - even if you forget to go to GoodShop or GoodSearch first! Add the Goodwill Industries - Arkansas toolbar at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/goodwill-industries-arkansas

So if you would like an easy way to support Goodwill, we encourage you to switch to GoodSearch for your internet searching needs and when you shop online. Visit GoodwillAR.org/goodsearch for more information.

Goodwill® has launched the  "Donate Movement" to encourage people to donate used clothing and other items to their local Goodwill. Through this initiative, we want to increase conscious donating by letting you know about the power of your donated goods.

It might sound surprising that we need to have initiatives like this, but seven out of 10 consumers admit that sometimes, they choose not to donate and simply discard their items. Not only that, but for every one article of clothing donated, people have at least 30 more articles of clothing that are ready to be donated. These statistics are astounding!

The way we at Goodwill look at it, we need to reach consumers and encourage them to always donate their used and unused goods. Why? The easy answer is to help others. The more compelling answer is with every 30 items that we receive, a person in our community receives job training and employment support. This could be a person in your community who doesn't have a job and is struggling to support a family.

By donating a working computer, you can give a person career counseling. This could be your neighbor who lost his job because an industry left your community.

Or, one bike, one coat, and one DVD provide on-the-job training for someone. This could be a senior in your community who needs learn new skills to remain in today's job sector.

So I challenge you to join the Donate Movement! Not only will you be able to help those in your community who face challenges in finding employment, but you will also reduce waste in your area's landfills.

With Goodwill's Donation Impact Calculator, you can find out just how much your donation can change lives. Visit donate.goodwill.org to learn more.

Goodwill Good Guides supports families in keeping youths who are at-risk on the right path, away from trouble and moving towards a better future. The effort is part of a national mentoring program known as Goodwill GoodGuides that helps young people finish school and transition into productive careers through the guidance of trusted adults.

The program targets youths between the ages of 12 and 17 who are at-risk for dropping out of school, facing legal troubles or area at risk for delinquency due to issues such as abuse, disability, drug or alcohol dependence or gang membership.

Youths ages 12 to 17 can apply or be referred to the program. Anyone 16 and older can apply to be a mentor. There will be screening and a background check on mentor applicants. Those who pass will be put in the program to be matched with a youth and asked to commit four hours of mentoring per month.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer mentor and making a real difference in someone’s life or know of a youth who would benefit from this program, please call Angela Lewis at 501-372-5100, ext 133 or email at ALewis@GoodwillAR.org.

Visit http://www.goodwillar.org/become-a-goodguides-mentor_5085_ct.aspx for more information about becoming a mentor.

Download a brochure for more information GoodGuides Brochure.pdf (518.20 kb)

Click Here to download our Summer Newsletter

Would you like to be kept informed of all the good and exciting things Goodwill is doing in our community?  Then you'll want to become a member of the Goodwill community by registering for our monthly email newsletter, GoodWorks!  Just click the subscribe button below, complete the form, and you'll receive GoodWorks in your email the first week of every quarter.  You'll also be the first to hear about special events and other unique Goodwill opportunities and receive exclusive discounts at our retail stores. Subscribe today and stay in touch with Goodwill! 

Click here to subscribe to GoodWorks  

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is participating in the Reconnect program, a program created by Goodwill Industries International and Dell that enables Arkansans to responsibly recycle their computers and computer equipment.  Goodwill Industries of Arkansas has recycled over 90,000 pounds of computer equipment to date through the Reconnect program.

While computers are safe to use, they do contain some environmentally sensitive materials. These materials can be safely removed or recycled, but only if the computers are kept out of landfills in the first place. 

"Our Reconnect program partners have guaranteed that no donated equipment will end up in a landfill,” said Brian Itzkowitz, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.  “The program is a tremendous benefit to Arkansans in that it offers a free, convenient, and responsible opportunity to recycle computers and computer equipment.” 

"The program has also created Green Jobs here at Goodwill, which furthers our mission of creating employment opportunities for Arkansans,” said Itzkowitz.  “We are very proud to participate in the program and look forward to its continued success.”

Program goals are to divert used computers and computer equipment from area landfills; and provide consumer education on the importance of environmentally-responsible computer disposal. Reconnect can also help create job opportunities for individuals who have barriers to employment or independence.

There is no charge for dropping off a computer at Goodwill, and any brand of used computer equipment is accepted. Examples of computer equipment that can be recycled through the program are a computer monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, or other peripherals that attach to the computer. Goodwill will sort the donated computer equipment, which will be responsibly recycled through Dell’s product recycling programs.

Consumers are responsible for removing data from hard drives and other storage media before donating to Goodwill. Consumers can also request a Goodwill receipt at time of donation.

Arkansans can visit www.GoodwillAR.org to determine the most convenient drop-off location at any of the 17 participating Goodwill donation centers and stores and to find additional program information.

In cooperation with Microsoft and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is pleased to offer free computer access for those who have received vouchers for Elevate America E-Learning courses. Goodwill Industries of Arkansas will also serve as a test site for those with vouchers to take the Microsoft certification exams. This service is offered free of charge.

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services is working with Microsoft to provide vouchers for free e-learning Microsoft software training and certification through Elevate America to provide thousands of Arkansans with the technological skills or certification necessary to succeed.

Vouchers for the self-paced e-learning courses are available to Arkansas residents online through the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services at www.elevateamerica.ar.gov. Vouchers are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Microsoft e-learning is delivered over the Web, so modules can be accessed easily from a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. People who do not have computer and Internet access at home may use computers at select Goodwill locations, including: 1110 W. 7th Street Little Rock and 6929 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, North Little Rock. Goodwill will also serve as a Testing Site for certification exams with proctors available free of charge. 

For any questions about the Microsoft® Elevate America in Arkansas initiative, please contact Gail Holmes at 501-372-5100 ext 131 or visit www.elevateamerica.ar.gov.

To learn more about the Elevate America initiative visit http://www.microsoft.com/elevateamerica

Smiling G was on hand having a great time walking around greeting kids and handing out candy and hugs!  Lots of fun was had by kids and adults alike at Goodwill’s booth where Goodwill’s pro anglers Chad Grigsby and Wesley Strader signed autographs and interacted with fans. Families were able to learn how Goodwill changes lives in their community while kids were treated to fun and games such as a fishing pool full of prizes including temporary tattoos, candy and gift certificates.

Kids weren’t the only ones treated to special prizes! Congratulations to Ron Ramsey who won Goodwill’s raffle for a Cabela’s travel rod and reel combo that was signed by the top five anglers from the competition. 

Thousands of event tickets were distributed at our stores and Goodwill will receive a $1 donation from FLW for each ticket that was redeemed at the event. In addition, Goodwill collected numerous bags of donated clothing and household goods at the Outdoor Show held at the Hot Springs Convention Center during the tournament. Thank you to everyone who stopped by Goodwill’s booth. We can’t wait to see you next year!

Click here to more pictures from the FLW Outdoors Expo at our Facebook page.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — FLW Outdoors fans will be treated to the FLW Outdoors Expo at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Friday, May 28, from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, May 29, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a Can-Am ATV and rod and reel combos will be given to the first 300 kids under 14 in attendance on Saturday. Admittance is FREE plus free giveaways!

FLW will donate $1 to Goodwill Industries of Arkansas for every person that attends the Expo that turns in an FLW ticket at the entrance! FLW tickets are free. Just ask for a free FLW ticket at Goodwill's Hot Springs, Little Rock, Benton, Conway or Russellville retail store locations (click here for store locations), or call 501-372-5100 ext 163 and ask for your tickets today. 

The FREE FLW Outdoors Expo includes Ranger boat simulators, the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, enjoy interactive games, activities and giveaways provided by numerous sponsors, and learn more about the sport of fishing and other outdoor activities. All activities are free and open to the public. For a full schedule of events, additional information and to register for the ATV, visit FLWOutdoors.com/chevyopen.

Look for Goodwill's booth for fun activities, games and prizes for the kids; a raffle for a brand new travel rod and reel from Cabela; and, while supplies last, get a free BP diecast boat with a donation of $20 or a bag of gently used clothing and $10. The donations will be sold at local Goodwill retail stores, where revenues fund training, education, and employment services for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.

“The Goodwill and FLW Outdoors partnership allows people to invest in their local communities,” said Brian Itzkowitz, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas. “Each donation will support vital employment and training services throughout Arkansas to help people find and keep good jobs.”

Goodwill Industries International is pleased to honor Goodwill Industries of Arkansas as its Advocacy Leader for 2010.

The award recognizes a Goodwill agency that has demonstrated leadership and commitment to Goodwill’s policy and advocacy efforts. The agency is also recognized for its ability to effectively influence policy by its relationships with federal and state policymakers.

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is being awarded for its constant activism with Arkansas legislators, in particular taking a lead role in the recent CPSIA legislation.

The agency’s activism efforts have been extremely influential and noticed by several Members of Congress and state policymakers who have visited the agency.

At a reception in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, April 27, Brian Itzkowtiz, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas, accepted the award on behalf of his agency. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International’s fourth Advocacy Day — “Invest in the American Worker.”

Goodwill Industries® of Arkansas hosted its Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 7th. Held at the Governor’s Mansion Grand Hall in Little Rock, the event drew 150 attendees including members of the Goodwill Board of Directors, community and business leaders and the general public. Event highlights included a keynote speech by the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, Jim Gibbons, an In the Bag silent auction, and the presentation of awards recognizing individuals who have overcome barriers to employment and those who help make that possible.

Awards were presented to Goodwill program participants for Graduate of Year and Achiever of the Year.  Goodwill also presented Volunteer of the Year, Employer of the Year and Community Partner awards for outstanding efforts supporting the Goodwill mission and honored Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, Dale Hoff, for his 27 years of service to Goodwill.

The Frank Lyon Achiever Award honors an individual who has achieved a better quality of life and personal independence through the long-term services provided by Goodwill. This year, the recipient of the Achiever Award was Tiara Griffis of Little Rock. Through hard work, Griffis has successfully completed the job training program, secured permanent employment at the Goodwill store located at 2904 S. University, and currently lives independently in her own place.

 “When Tiara first came to Goodwill, she was shy, but she never let that stop her from taking advantage of all the opportunities and services Goodwill had to offer,” said Goodwill employment specialist Bill Watson.

The Graduate of the Year Award honors an individual who has successfully completed all of the program requirements, achieved outside employment, and has retained employment for at least six months.  The recipient of the Goodwill Graduate of the Year Award was Eddie Leonard of North Little Rock.

“If there was ever a story to be told about overcoming significant barriers to employment, then that story is definitely about Eddie Leonard,” said Goodwill job coach Tenille Hunter. “When you consider all of the things that he could have easily given in to but didn’t, it’s almost unbelievable that he has come such a long way in just a little over a year. He is a wonderful example to all Goodwill job trainees and career services clients.

The Goodwill Employer of the Year Award honors an employer who has demonstrated affirmative action in providing employment opportunities to persons in their community who are disabled and/or have other significant barriers to employment. This year the award was presented to CareLink of Central Arkansas.   

 “Not only has CareLink hired 5 former Goodwill participants and career services clients, the company has also been willing to adjust employee schedules to meet some of the individual needs of people with disabilities that can often hinder their ability to attain and retain employment,” said Goodwill career specialist Gail Holmes.

The Goodwill Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to Goodwill through their efforts. This year the award was presented to Darren Holcomb of North Little Rock.  

“Darren gives of his time toward reentry efforts both in the prisons as well as on the reentry coalition because he sees himself as part of the community’s solution to assisting ex-offenders achieve successful reentry and reducing recidivism,” said Goodwill Workforce Development administrative assistant Tiffany Thomas.

The Community Partner Award honors an outstanding person or organization for demonstrating an understanding and appreciation for the values for Goodwill and provides tangible benefit for its mission. This year’s award was presented to CityConnections.

“Through various collaborative meetings and one on ones with Jeff Spry of CityConnections, Jeff has encouraged and supported new ventures for Goodwill, which include:  prisoner reentry, youth mentoring, and entrepreneurship training,” said Brian Itzkowitz, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.

 Pictured below left to right: Tiara Griffis, Frank Lyon Achiever of the Year; Eddie Leonard, Graduate of the Year; Luke Mattingly from CareLink, Employer of the Year; Darren Holcomb, Volunteer of the Year; and Jeff Spry from CityConnections, Community Partner of the Year.