Bonnie’s Story

Bonnie started her paid position as a House Keeper at Delta Edmonton South as a very capable young lady with much to offer her employer. However, Bonnie had a shy personality, a timid voice, and a sense of shame associated with her accent, which left many questioning if she could be successful.

Bonnie completed Delta’s two week training period and with the Delta staff’s guidance, she developed cleaning skills that have surpassed the standards of the hotel. Bonnie was excelling in the skill category of her job, but she was lacking the communication component. With the determination of her job coaches and counselor and with the support of her colleagues, Bonnie was able to work through her communication barriers and has since maintained employment at the Delta. She now works 100% independently without the need of a job coach.

 Bonnie has developed natural supports with her colleagues who have helped her embrace her nationality and accent. As per conversations with Bonnie’s supervisor, Bonnie continues to exceed their expectations and raise the bar.

Empowering Individuals through work

This is Gulliver. Gulliver is one of our Power of Work program participants. He started working at Davey’s Fabrics in October of 2010.  He performs various tasks including: assisting with bundling merchandise for inventory and creating bags of various items.  Gulliver quickly grasped his tasks and became 100% independent in March of 2011.  In September, just before reaching his one year anniversary with the company, Gulliver received a raise.

The Davey’s Fabrics staff is very pleased with the work that Gulliver does and of his dedication to his position. Gulliver has made many great connections and found natural supports within his workplace.  Davey’s Fabrics has recently contacted Goodwill Industries of Alberta to enquire about hiring another one of our individuals for a different position in the warehouse. 

 For more information about the Power of Work program and some of our other programs click here.

A fresh take on Art

Did you know that this week is Waste Reduction Week? Goodwill is supporting an art installation at the New Gallery in Calgary by artist Jarod Charzewski.  We have donated bales of clothing (that will be returned to Goodwill at the end of the show) for the installation. “Jarod Charzweski and a team of local volunteers have constructed an immersive sculptural installation using second-hand clothing which is carefully sorted and folded and then positioned to mimic the geological appearance of layers of sedimentary rock.” The art piece is a great reason for us to reflect on consumption and on the lifespan of our belongings. If you’re in Calgary, stop by and have a look. The installation, entitled “Lifespan,” will be available for viewing until November 12. 

Photo taken by Jarod Charzewski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo taken by Jarod Charzewski

 

 

 

Photo taken by Jarod Charzewski

Final Day to Be Entered to Win!

Today is the last day of our Back to School promotion!  Since August 15, whenever you purchased children’s clothing at any Goodwill location across Alberta, you could enter to win a $50 Staples gift card or a computer to help get your kids ready for back to school.  If you still haven’t entered, you still have today to do it! Head to your local Goodwill to get those last minute back to school clothes and you could win!

Thank you to everyone who supported Goodwill this back to school season! We will announce the winners of prizes on September 27! Stay tuned!

We’re Back to School…Now What?

Each year there is a lot of focus on getting ready to go back to school… preparations, pre-work. Certainly there are many things that need to get done before you start, such as buying new clothes and shoes and filling out forms. But in my opinion, the first week or two of school actually being in session is where the real stress happens. Here are some tips to help you adjust!

• Get organized with supply purchases. Even if you were given a supplies list in advance, there are usually other requests that get sent home with the kids on the first few days. My advice is to wait if you can just a day or so, to make sure nothing else is coming, then consolidate your list and go buy the items. Try to go at a low-traffic time of day, like really early in the morning or mid-afternoon, if possible. Don’t go right after school/work when everyone else does!
• Organize the incoming papers. You’re going to get a LOT of papers coming home the first week or so, many of them excellent references for later. I recommend having a Family Binder where you store these for quick access when you need them. Just punch holes in the papers and you’re all set. As examples, here are some papers that are good to keep in the binder:
• Syllabus information about each class and the policies and expectations (make a copy of it for the binder even if the child needs to keep the original with other class materials)
• Contact information for the teachers– phone, e-mail, conference periods
• Bell schedule for each period (so you will know where your child is at any time of day, handy when you are scheduling dental appointments and the like)
• Bus route information
• School nurse info and policies for reporting illnesses to the office
• Login and password information for school websites and directories

• Make sure your child’s homework routines and systems are working. After the first week or two, both you and your child will have a good idea about how much time is going to be required for homework, and you’ll be able to sit down with him or her and assure that systems are in place to organize their papers and books in their backpacks. Let your child know what the expectations are for getting homework done– when and where to do it and what activities need to wait until it’s finished.
• Make sure laundry systems are working. As children get older, you can give them more responsibilities for their laundry. Maybe they are able to do some loads on their own, maybe they can put away their folded clothing, and maybe they just need to focus on getting it into the hamper when dirty. When you change these expectations, check in and make sure it’s working and their responsibilities are reinforced. You may have a new “wrinkle” in our routine, like having to make sure gym uniforms get washed and returned to school… put some reminders in place to make sure that happens.
• Adjust for lunch preferences. If someone decides the new cafeteria food is yucky, have them make their own sack lunches (or at least participate in making them). You may need to make a trek to the grocery store to find good lunch-making supplies, like smaller containers of favorite foods (warehouse stores like Costco are great for this). Getting organized with this process is really crucial to making mornings go smoothly, and packing the lunch the night before is very helpful. Make sure you have lots of extra ice packs, paper sacks, plastic bags, or whatever supplies you like to use– and create a rotation menu of 5-10 good solid lunch ideas to keep you from having to make the decision every day of what to pack.

For more organizational tips, check out Lorie Marrero’s blog: http://bit.ly/mV4lpq

Source: Lorie Marrero, Professional Organizer and spokesperson of the Donate Movement

Tips to Living Green on Campus

For most Alberta post-secondary students, tomorrow marks the first day of a new year, either your first year or maybe even your last year.  As you head back to school, you may be looking for simple and inexpensive ways to live green this school year.  Even if this is your first year in college, or this is your last year, it is never too early or too late to learn some great tips for living green!  We have compiled some of the best tips for you to live green on campus this school year.

1. Unplug any electronics devices when not in use (for example, computers, TVs, cell phones, iPod chargers). 

2. Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs.

3. Use your bicycle! Bikes can be very handy around campuses and for running nearby errands (before the snow falls, of course).

4. Bring your own reusable coffee cup.  Not only are you helping the environment, many places give a discount for using your own cup!

5. Carry groceries and other items you buy in reusable bags.

6. Recycle! Wherever you look around campus, you are sure to find a recycling bin for cans and even paper.  With a bit of research, you are sure to find somewhere in your city to recycle everything from styrofoam or cardboard to old batteries, old cell phones or ink/laser-jet cartridges.

7. Commute or Carpool! Many colleges offer a great deal on transit.  Even if your university doesn’t, the cost of a bus or train pass will likely be less than parking on campus, plus you are helping the environment.  Also see if any classmates would be willing to carpool to class.

8. Donate! You can donate your time, money or used clothing.  Look around your campus for opportunities to get involved and to give to those who might be in need.

9.  Purchase ethically and locally! Next time you buy that coffee so you can stay awake while studying, take a moment to consider where it came from and how it was produced; or when buying fruit or vegetables, check to see where it was grown.    

10. Repurpose! Instead of throwing away an item you no longer use, try to trade with a friend for something they no longer use.  Shop around and see if you can find an item used and in great shape!  There are also tons of great opportunities to buy and sell second hand items! (Why not check out Goodwill?!)

Creating Your Home Away From Home

As you begin settling into your first (or new) apartment or dorm room, it may seem bare and not as homey as your parent’s home.  It is important to create your own comfortable living space, but being a student and on a tight budget, it can be quite a challenge!  To help out, we have some tips on getting your first place ready for the school year!

Furniture and Housewares:

• If you are moving in with a roommate, check to see what furniture or housewares they may have.  Often, between two or more roommates, you may have enough items for the common living spaces.
• Before heading our shopping, make a list of items that you will need.  Remember that you may only be in that apartment/dorm for 8 months, so consider what items are essential and appropriate.
• Ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins, neighbors, etc. if they have any unused or unwanted items.You’d be surprised how many people have attics and drawers full of unused items in need of a good home. You may be doing them a favor by taking it off their hands.
• Go to your local charity thrift stores (like Goodwill).  Check back often as their supply changes daily to weekly.  You can easily pick up pots, pants, bowl and utensils for $1 or less.  You can also find great art or picture frames to make your space homier.
• Shop local yard sales. Although prime yard sale season is coming to an end, there are often yard sales until the snow falls.  Check online, in your local newspaper or spend a day driving around your neighbourhood.
• Check online sites, like Freecycle and Kijiji.  There are often quality items that are inexpensive or even free.

 Storage (often very limited in a dorm or small apartment!):

• Raise the bed with cement blocks or RackRisers to make space for extra clothes, books, laundry, luggage, or whatever else under the bed.
• Stack plastic crates in your closet, under your bed, or next to your desk. They are cheap and come in a variety of colours. An alternative to plastic crates is a wire storage system, which lets you assemble your own crates and dismantle or reorganize them later. Or buy some decorative hat boxes in varying sizes for extra storage.
• Buy closet organizers for shoes, skirts, accessories, or makeup to ensure that you will always be able to find those black sandals or that peach lip gloss when you need them.
• Invest in some cheap plastic hooks. Stick them to your closet door to hold a bathrobe or jacket, or find a metal towel holder for the back of your door.

Personalizing Your Space:

• One of the first things to pick out is a comforter. The bed often doubles as a coffee table, couch, or study area and is the largest piece of furniture in most dorms or bedrooms, so it’s key to choose a comforter that reflects your style
• Posters are the most common way to decorate.  With many colleges having a poster sale at the beginning of the year, it is a great way to find something that reflexs your likes and style.
• Create your own mural on paper or a canvas.  Being able to create your own art can be very inexpensive and allows you to be creative.
• Frames are essential for holding photos of home or new friends at college. Buy them almost anywhere or create your own with a cardboard matte and glitter, buttons, feathers, beads, or any other decorative knickknacks. Or you could use funky memo holders to display favorite photos on your desk or bureau.
• A laundry line is a great alternative for you to string up pictures or ticket stubs on the wall or across the room us.
• Magnets are useful and decorative on any metal surface. Customize that fridge and display your praiseworthy papers with magnets of flowers, superheroes, butterflies, or Magnetic Poetry (also a fun distraction from studying).
• Dry erase boards on your door or in your room are handy for communicating with friends and roommates and making notes to yourself. Or get a dry erase calendar at an office supply store and keep track of your busy schedule.
• Sheer fabric draped across the window or over a bed creates a soft, romantic look. Or if you have an open closet, put up a colorful shower curtain to individualize your space or hide dirty laundry.
• Lights are fashionable and functional. A desk lamp for late-night studying is a necessity, but adding mini-lights strung across the room can create a more personal atmosphere. White lights will complement any décor, or choose colored lights in funky shapes like stars, cactuses, or hearts.

As you head out to find some items to personalize your new living space, remember that it is all about what makes you feel comfortable, relaxed and ready to learn!

Sources: WikiHow.com and Powertochange.ca

 

Student Furniture Event

It is the first of the month, which means today is moving day!  If you are a post-secondary student, you are likely packing up your belongings and moving into your first apartment or that not so spacious dorm room. This is an exciting and terrifying time as you create your own living space.  Lucky for you, Goodwill wants to help make your new apartment or dorm as homey as possible! 

This weekend, September 3 to 5, head to the Southside Goodwill store (8759 51 Ave Edmonton), to get furniture and you will receive a voucher for a discount on a new mattress from the Mattress and Sleep Company (10340 34 Ave, Edmonton).  Not only will you get furniture for a great price, you will also save tons of money on a new mattress!  So grab all your friends and head to the Southside Goodwill on Saturday, Sunday or Monday! Hope to see you there!

What Is Your Back to School Resolution?

A reader of professional organizer and the Donate Movement spokesperson Lorie Marrero’s blog made the comment, “The new school year to me is like setting new year’s resolutions.“  Lorie agreed and created some suggestions of some small things you can change to make a huge difference in your school year and how organized you feel:

• Create a lunch-making station in your kitchen, with storage for lunch boxes, plastic bags, food containers, thermal containers, plasticware, and common lunch treats all within easy reach of the fridge and/or pantry. Think about how easy it would be to make a peanut butter sandwich in your kitchen and adjust accordingly.
• Start a habit of making lunches the night before. Better yet, have the young ‘uns start packing their own. Give them some guidance on appropriate menus and combinations and keep your supplies stocked for them.
• Find out if your school has automated reminders that e-mail you when your child’s lunch money account is below a certain dollar amount. (Ours does and I didn’t know that until the end of last year!)
• Get up earlier. Get ahead of the rest of the family, get your workout done, get a shower, or just get some quiet time to yourself before the whole day’s wild rumpus begins.
• Do your “Sunday Planning”– just 10-15 minutes a week could change everything!
• Set up family policies for homework time, snack time, and how much screen time the kids can have on weekdays and weekends. Agree to these policies together along with the consequences for violating them, and even have the kids sign an official paper about it. Eliminate arguments and constant policing!
• Make an effort to organize a carpool arrangement with at least one other family. It saves everyone immense amounts of time and is good for the environment too.

What will your back to school resolutions be this year? Share with us!

Check out Lorie’s blog: http://bit.ly/mV4lpq

Go Green This School Year

“Living green” may seem like a nice idea, but out of reach for your family.  However, it is incredibly simple to make everyday changes that will impact the environment and start you on the path of green living.  Here is a great list of some simple ways for your family to go green this back to school season:

• Ride a bike or walk to school whenever possible
• Use last year’s school supplies, backpack and binders (try decorating with pins, patches or stickers)
• Use reusable lunch boxes and water bottles, instead of disposable
• Turn off any computers when they are not in use
• When possible, buy local or organic food for lunches and snacks
• Donate last year’s clothes
• Buy used books
• Use refillable pens and pencils
• Buy used books
• Buy new school clothes from a second hand shop (why not Goodwill!?)
• Buy recycled paper, notebooks and other school supplies
• Make your own bookmarks
• Don’t forget to always recycle

Do you have any ways that your family lives green? Share with us!

Sources: nationalgeographic.com and thegogreenblog.com