Posts from 2019

1. Colored Denim
   It always amazes me to see how quickly on the first cool night people start breaking out the denim jackets. It’s almost as if they spend the summer craving denim jacket season and when the first inkling of fall arrives, the jackets can all come out of hibernation. Whether you’re a denim jacket aficionado or not, one look I’m loving this fall is colored denim. Bring a chic fall take on this staple piece, like the burnt orange colored jacket in the picture. It’s the perfect way to transition the summer dress into a fall look, while also keeping you warm at the same time. I also love the fall contrast the slouchy velvet shoulder bag brings to the look as well. Plus, it’s large enough to hold a laptop and notebook, which is perfect for toting everything to and from class.

2. Layered Dresses
   The layered dress, overall and jumpsuit look is going to be big again this fall. It’s the essential collegiate look for back to school, because it’s comfy and takes just a few seconds to curate from your closet. Whether you choose to go with a classic black and white look like in the photo, or you choose layers with pops of color, it just takes two steps to look really put together with an outfit like this one – which I know will come in handy for those with early class or work schedules! If you want to dress to impress without the hassle of coordinating an entire outfit, this should be your go-to look this fall, paired with slide-on loafers or low-heeled mules.

Through the partnership TWCA has served 126 OK SNAP Works recipients. Including Jimmy (left) who recently moved to Tulsa from Puerto Rico. “I came to Oklahoma when my wife and I lost everything in Hurricane Maria,” Jimmy said.

Jimmy and his wife lived in Brightwater Apartments in Tulsa, a community that recently received funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhood Initiative. He and his wife began receiving assistance from OK SNAP for groceries and support from the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma for housing and community resource navigation.

“I became depressed sitting at home all day and night,” Jimmy remembered. “I was unable to provide for my family like I had always done.” But then he was referred to Goodwill.

Jimmy’s previous work experience as a security guard in Puerto Rico gave him confidence as he trained to earn his CLEET license. The first week of class Jimmy was offered a job by a guest speaker from Owl Night Security and quickly began work upon earning his license.

Whether you have an excess of pens and pencils for your desk, or markers and crayons for your students, mason jars are an inexpensive and easy-to-find organizational tool that will make your classroom look organized in just a few minutes. To take it one step further, label each jar with what you want it to hold and that way both you and your students will know where to put everything back after they are done using it.

There are some really cool looking dish racks out there these days – so much so that you won’t even be able to tell what it used to be. Dish racks can come in handy for organizing notebooks, papers, stickers, folders and more. Just about every Goodwill I’ve been in has had at least one and they’re priced really reasonably. The one in the photo was found at a Goodwill near me in Brooklyn, for the low price of $4.

If you teach younger children, (or have a few of your own) you know how quickly toys can get strewn across the floor and into a mess. Goodwill’s home section not only sells toys for $1-3 each – just give them a run in the washing machine and they’ll be good as new – but also woven baskets which are perfect for organizing them when playtime is over. I’ve seen baskets in a variety of sizes, some are perfect for toys and stuffed animals and others look like they would be great to hold blankets or pillows for storytime. The baskets I saw were reasonably priced at around $5 for larger baskets, which would run you $30+ at other retail stores.

To earn recognition as a Veteran Employer Champion, companies must meet six benchmarks: veteran hiring and recruiting; veteran resource groups, onboarding, or buddy programs; veteran programs and community support; veteran employee resources and/or supports; veteran executive sponsor leading veteran strategies; and guard and reserve employee supports.

By Julia Marchand
Courtesy of Goodwill Industries International

How do you know when you’re doing summer right? Simple. When you’re spending as much time outside every day as possible and saving money on your summertime essentials. If you live in a place that celebrates all four seasons, there’s just something so special about the summer. We shiver through winter dreaming of sunlit afternoons lounging on the lawn, so we owe it to ourselves to take full advantage of these radiant days.

Here at Goodwill®, we would love to help you make the most of your summer. Let’s start with attire, shall we? For some women, summer means dressing in less to keep cool, but feeling uncomfortable doing so. Don’t feel discouraged, ladies! It isn’t just you. The truth is that most women have some insecurities once their summer skin starts to show. But every body type has a flattering fit; it’s finding it that can be the challenge. Happily, Goodwill Industries of Michiana (South Bend, IN) has done the work for you – at least where shorts are concerned. Check out their recent post on finding the best shorts for your body type, and embrace those summertime vibes!
Image from Goodwilltips.blogspot.com

Now that you’ve pinned down a summer clothing solution and you’re feeling a little more comfortable, let’s head outside! Of course, hitting the beach, hiking and biking are all viable options for August activities, but let’s not underestimate the relaxing qualities of gardening in your own backyard! Goodwill Industries of Akron (OH) nailed it with this post that shares four ways to repurpose thrifted items into planters. Our favorite is the bundt-pan-turned-floral-centerpiece. The umbrella post goes right through the center of the pan to hold it in place – Brilliant! 
Image from Goodwillakron.org

But why step inside after the sun goes down? You don’t have to if you follow this DIY tutorial from Houzz.com. With a quick trip to your local Goodwill and a hardware store, you can put together a dreamy solar-powered table lamp like this and enjoy summer breezes well into the night.
Photo: Other by Indianapolis Furniture & Accessories Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer. Image from Houzz.com.

While you’re browsing your local Goodwill in search of the perfect shorts, planters or lamps, keep in mind that it is just one of 164 independent, community-based Goodwill agencies in the United States and Canada that provide employment training, job placement services and other community-based services to 9.8 million people annually. Your purchases are making that mission possible! Enjoy saving money and making the most of your summer. We still have more than a month to go!

Julia Marchand is a home decor/DIY blogger at LITTLEroost. From her little roost in rural New England, fueled by coffee and fresh air, Julia blogs for Goodwill Industries International creating sustainable DIY, home decor, and fashion content from thrifted finds.

More Evening Classes

A typical class day begins at 8:30 a.m. at 2800 Southwest Boulevard. However, the Workplace Computer Skills and Computer Support Tech Training courses have an evening option, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Both are 6-week courses. Workplace Computer Skils is designed for individuals pursuing careers that require computer usage (which is most jobs these days). Computer Support Tech Training teaches computer troubleshooting and repair skills, and prepares participants for the CompTIA A+ Certification exam.

The monthly Continuing Education Unit Seminars for Unarmed Private Security are now on Wednesday evenings that coincide with TulsaWORKS' Phase I and Phase II Unarmed Private Security courses. The Wednesday sessions are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. except for the June and July seminars, which will be offsite at the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office training facility on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This change enables our security employers to engage at the same time with every security class offered at Goodwill TulsaWORKS. The courses and CEU seminars are designed for people looking to earn or maintain their Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) license. 

“The TulsaWORKS Career Academy training opportunities were meeting the demand for unemployed participants,” said Parrish McDaris, TulsaWORKS coordinator. “We realized that many more people would benefit, especially those underemployed, if we made our training an option in the evenings as well as during the day and on the weekends.”

Weekday Options Expand

The Forklift/Material Handling seminar has a new session, Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The current Saturday session, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., remains an option. Both sessions are held monthly. The seminar teaches the safe operation of a forklift through hands-on practice in the learning space at Goodwill's Edgar J. Helms Center.

Lab time is now offered for every digital class Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and has already proven useful for many TulsaWORKS participants.

“We want everyone to have equal access to the opportunity and the resources to rise above their current circumstances, and have the career they may have thought was no longer possible," McDaris said.

To add trendy tassels you’ll need:

• A basket
• Yarn
• A small book or something else that makes just the right size tassels
• Tapestry needle (Optional — can be helpful if the basket’s weave is tight)

Step 1: Wrap the yarn around the book (or whatever you found) until it looks thick enough. I went around 18 times. Slide the loops off of the book and cut along one end.

Step 2: With the yarn still folded in half, place a new length of yarn through the center of it. Then, lay that on top of another horizontal string. Double knot the horizontal piece of yarn around the tassel. You can wrap this around as many times as you want before tucking the ends inside the tassel if you want to (I kept it simple with mine).

Step 3: Repeat steps one and two until you have enough tassels.

Step 4: With the knots you just made placed against the basket, thread the top strings of the tassels through the basket and double knot them in place around the weave. If your basket’s weave is too tight for you to do this with just your fingers, use a tapestry needle to get through the narrow nooks. Do this, evenly spaced, all the way across the top of the basket.

Next up, I loved the unique shape of this square basket that I spotted while out thrifting, but I knew that adding some handles would make it easier to carry while full. While I was at it, I figured I’d just slap on a chalkboard label, too, so I could stick it up high on a shelf if I wanted to and I’d still know what was inside.

To add handles and a label you’ll need:

• A basket
• Faux-leather belt
• Tough string
• Tapestry needle
• Paint mixing stick (or similarly thin wood)
• Saw to cut the paint mixing stick
• Power drill with a small bit (I used 1/8” bit)
• Small paint brush
• Chalkboard paint
• Hammer
• Nail
• Scrap wood
• Chalk marker
• Sandpaper

Step 1: Cut your thin wood to the right size for your label. I used a saw to slice a 3.25” long section of the paint mixing stick. After that, drill two small holes toward either end of the label. Sand all sides well then wipe off the dust. Paint with chalkboard paint according to the container’s instructions and let dry.

Step 2: Measure two lengths of the belt to make the handles. Mine are each 6” long. Use the actual holes in the belt or add your own holes by hammering them in with scrap wood behind the belt.

Step 3: Thread a length of string through the needle, position the handles and label (after it’s completely dry) wherever you’d like them, and thread them through the basket’s weave to be secured with a knot on the inside. Try to stitch the needle between the weave of the basket if possible so you aren’t poking holes into the straw/wood itself.

This last one is easy as pie and just as charming. I found this basket a couple of months ago and I love its size and shape so much. However, I noticed that since I keep it in a little nook in my bedroom, it tends to look pretty dark and shadowy over there. I was looking for a way to brighten this piece up and a fresh strip of white paint definitely helped!

To get that paint-dipped look you’ll need:

• A basket
• Paint (I used spray paint, but you don’t have to)
• Paint brush if necessary
• Painter’s tape
• Newspaper

Step 1: Tape off the section you want to paint making sure to cover everything you don’t want to be painted. Remember that paint (especially spray paint) can seep through the basket’s weave so you may want to fill the basket with paper on the inside, too. Press the tape firmly into place so nothing can sneak through!

Step 2: In a well-ventilated area, paint the bottom with spray paint or by hand with a brush. Make sure you follow the directions on your paint to make sure you’re doing it safely.

Each of these is just a quick afternoon project that adds personality to one of the most versatile items on Goodwill shelves. Pile ’em high with picnic supplies, replace your beach bag with something boho, or get a grip on your indoor organization. You could even use your thrifted basket to tote donations in on your next thrift store trip! Goodwill is where your stuff goes to work and any baskets you buy there are sure to carry more than their fair share of the workload. Have fun making them your own!

Although the students share common goals, they have different motivations for taking the Google IT Support Professional Certification course at Goodwill TulsaWORKS Career Academy.

TulsaWORKS offers a suite of digital training courses that prepare participants for different aspects of the IT industry, from computer basics to recognized certifications. Google IT Support Professional Certification is an 8- to 12- month course that provides intense training on entry-level IT skills. Participants learn through self-paced virtual training at home and weekly onsite class work at TulsaWORKS with instructor Montana Nanney.

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is a plus for anyone looking for a career in the industry. However, talking with some of the students at a recent class revealed each one has his or her own motivation for mastering the IT arts.

Ricky has a job with the IT Help Desk for San Diego County. He says he had the confidence to apply for the post because of the skills he learned in the IT track at TulsaWORKS. Now in the Google IT Support Professional class, Ricky can keep striving and get better in his career field.

"You learn a lot, you grow." Ricky said, taking a pause from an exercise in password management. "(The class) is going to make you grow and get you to where you want to go."

Vungh wants to enter the IT support industry for a very practical reason: It pays well.

Vungh has been out of work for five months and he missed the enrollment period for IT Fundamentals. However, Montana was able to get him enrolled in the Google IT Support Professional class while Vungh waited so he could keep his skills sharp. Now he is taking both classes. He said he does a majority of the class work at home, but enjoys the onsite lab time.

Vungh has his eyes on more IT training with the goal of eventually working as a junior network administrator.

"I like where it's leading me now," Vungh said.

Lorna, a retired nurse, is in her second career as a small business owner. Lorna is also a nontraditional student: She turns 60 this summer. Grateful for the opportunity to "still learn," Lorna has a better command of Excel after taking the Workplace Computer Skills class at TulsaWORKS. With the Google IT Support Professional classwork, Lorna sees herself becoming more proficient in topics such as networks, encryption, website construction, and hardware connectivity.

"Every business owner needs to know these things," Lorna said. "It's the life and death of your business."

Lorna believes Goodwill is providing a great service for small-business owners: "They are teaching you how to be the CEO and CFO of your company."

"One quality that runs through here is that it's real instruction," Lorna said. "There are very qualified people here."

Lorna is on the verge of launching the full vision for her small business. She understands the magnitude of the undertaking and she wants to be prepared.

"My business. That's why I'm taking all of this," Lorna said.

Denise was encouraged to enroll in Google IT Professional Support training after she breezed through the IT Fundamentals class at TulsaWORKS. She needed less than two weeks of the six allotted to finish the first module of Google IT Professional Support. Even though Denise has past experience working with ATMs in the 1980s, she is a little surprised that Google IT Professional Support is coming so easily.

Her class experiences have rekindled Denise's interest in computer technology.

"Montana helps a lot; he encourages you," she said. "He says ‘you know more than you think.' He makes it seem not quite so complicated."

Denise's goal is to work on a company's internal tech support team. She takes the Computer Support Tech Training/A+ class during the day and appreciates that she can work on her Google IT Support Professional coursework either at home, or at the library, or at Goodwill.

"I tell everyone about Goodwill," she said about the class offerings, "I tell strangers about it."