Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC

It's time to prepare for your next interview with our free Mock Job Interview session. 💼

First, we'll have a prep session to share interview tips and etiquette. Then, you'll have a chance to put that knowledge into practice in a mock job interview. Local employers will be on-site to critique your interview skills and offer tips.

Date: Wednesday, September 25
Time: 10 a.m.-Noon
Location: 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem

Please register to attend at https://tinyurl.com/8na3hcjs.

Our schools need your help to give local students the best school year possible! 📝✨

Rowan-Salisbury Schools is holding a hiring event next Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Goodwill Career Center, 1923 South Main Street, Salisbury. Registration is not required; show up dressed for success and with your resume in hand.

The Rowan-Salisbury School system is hiring for:

- Custodians
- Teacher Assistants
- Bus Drivers
- Administrative Assistants
- Mechanics
- Groundskeeper
- Substitutes

To learn more about this hiring event and others in our area, visit www.goodwillnwnc.org/hiring-events.

When you shop at Goodwill, you support our mission to help people achieve their career and life goals through work experience, skills training, and personalized support. 💙

Last month, 3,136 people went to their local Goodwill and received services that will help them reach their career goals. We could not do this work without your support—thank you!👏✨

If you or someone you know is struggling to find work, Goodwill can help. To learn more, visit www.goodwillnwnc.org.

Clothing can be a powerful representation of a culture’s history and identity. Let’s celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning more about these traditional outfits.

La ropa puede ser una poderosa representación de la historia y la identidad de una cultura. Celebremos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana aprendiendo más sobre estos atuendos tradicionales.

Gen Z hasn't been in the workforce very long, but their presence is already shaking up the workforce. Understanding Gen Z's characteristics and how they differ from previous generations will be crucial for staying ahead as their numbers grow.

Goodwill's Sharine Sample shares what she knows about Gen Z and how to interact with them at work. To read the full article, visit https://tinyurl.com/55d8u99y.

Need another way to gain FREE Admission to the Fair? We've partnered with the for a special donation giveaway.

Starting September 15 and running through October 2, donate your gently used clothing at a Goodwill in Forsyth County, and you'll receive one free entry to the fair. To find our Forsyth County locations, visit https://www.goodwillnwnc.org/locations/.

Donations must be made at any Forsyth County Goodwill location to get your free ticket. Free fair tickets are redeemable for any weekday (Monday through Friday) at the Carolina Classic Fair while supplies last.

Forest first visited the Catawba County Career Center last May. His goal was to secure full-time employment despite facing barriers that had hindered his job search. Forest had retired from a career as a factory worker but wanted to continue working to support his adventurous hobbies and travel the world with his wife.

With coaching from Employment Specialist Amber Schumacher, Forest learned essential skills like navigating online job searches, researching employment opportunities, and using a mobile device. Forest became more confident that he could overcome the age-related biases that he faced in his job search. This confidence allowed him to pursue and ultimately land the job he desired most.

Recently, Forest celebrated one year working at Walmart Neighborhood Market. During this time, he has proactively looked for opportunities to cross-train in multiple areas of the store. His dedication and hard work were recognized with a well-deserved promotion. Not only has Forest met every goal he set for himself, but he’s also tackled additional responsibilities that he hadn't anticipated handling and excelled beyond expectations.

Forest exemplifies the power of perseverance and ambition, proving that age and barriers need not limit one's aspirations. "I owe a great deal of gratitude to Goodwill's Career Connections Center for helping me reach where I am today,” Forest says. “Their support enabled me to learn crucial job search strategies, craft a compelling resume, develop strong interview skills, and, most importantly, build confidence in myself. I am forever thankful for the invaluable services Goodwill offers."

Make the most of your money with workshops from Financial Pathways of the Piedmont. 🌱💰

Join us every Wednesday in September from noon to 1 p.m. at the Goodwill Career Center at 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem. Our friends at Financial Pathways of the Piedmont will join us as we learn the importance of budgeting and money management.

Sept. 11 – Back to School Budgeting Basics
Sept. 18 – Managing Finances During Job Loss
Sept. 25 – Protecting Your Credit

For more information, please get in touch with Shareka Williams at 336-837-0656.

Make safety second nature! We're partnering with the Jonesville Police Department to bring you a safety awareness class.

Join us next Tuesday, September 10, at 10 a.m. at the Goodwill Career Center at 1457 North Bridge Street, Elkin. Our instructor, Captain Scotty Vestal, will cover a wide range of topics, including:

- How to spot and report a scam.
- Car safety and staying vigilant at night.
- Scenario-based self-defense awareness.
- Other ways to be prepared and knowledgeable regarding safety.

This class is suitable for all ages. Please RSVP to reserve a seat by calling 336-526-2144.

In observance of workers' hard work, dedication, and resilience everywhere, our stores will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 2, and Goodwill Career Centers will be closed all day. Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, September 3.

We hope everyone has a chance to enjoy some time off this weekend!

Have you gotten frustrated trying to figure out how to use your smartphone or tablet? Sign up for our monthly Tech Academy sessions!

Tech Academy is for anyone who wants help using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices. We will meet on the first Friday of each month, starting next Friday, September 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Goodwill Career Center, located at 1923 South Main Street, Salisbury.

Registration is encouraged but not required. If you or someone you know is interested, please call 704-638-6434.

We're feeling inspired by all the creative ways our friends at Mixxer have been upcycling denim, so we're sharing some of their tips for tackling denim DIYs! 💙👖

When shopping:
- Think about yardage. Look at larger sizes and men's sizes that have more material.
- Don't just look for your size unless the project needs to fit you (e.g., a skirt).
- Try to match fabric weight and stretchiness. Depending on the project, it may be easier to contrast colors rather than match them.

When deconstructing jeans:
- Try to take apart seams with a seam ripper instead of cutting. You'll save fabric.
- Save everything – seams, pockets, hardware, even tags if they're unique.
- Remember that you can always cut more off, but you can't add fabric back.

Sewing tips:
- Baste stitches first to check fit and construction.
- Use the right needle – it must be tough enough to go through multiple layers of denim.
- Always check the needle, tension, stitch length, etc., on a scrap of fabric.
- Go slow! Even more slowly than you usually would.
- Finish seams – depending on the denim, it may or may not ravel.
- If sewing by hand, use a heavy-duty needle, a double thickness of thread, and your best thimble.

Let us know in the comments if you have any tips or tricks for upcycling clothing!

Projects pictured:
- Denim duster
- Jeans with patchwork
- Denim handbag
- Denim pencil holder
- Denim crossbody bag

As a single mother of three, Samantha understands the importance of budgeting wisely to provide for her kids. After doing her research online and on social media, Samantha can buy name-brand groceries that typically cost $20-$30 for just $10 or less. Her couponing and money-saving expertise has allowed her to support her three children, including her oldest, who is heading to Lees-McRae College later this year. Samantha and her kids recently vacationed in Wilmington Beach, which she says was only possible because of her couponing and money-saving skills.

Last month, Samantha shared her couponing tips and money-saving techniques with participants at our Goodwill Career Center in Elkin. Samantha's number one tip? "Be patient. Don't jump on the first thing you see at a store because you've got to actually look for the deals."

After serving time in prison, Samantha got a referral to Goodwill. She started off working in our EDGE program before becoming a full-time employee. EDGE, which stands for Employment Development Generates Enrichment, is a paid work experience opportunity that provides on-the-job training and career coaching. Since joining the Goodwill team full-time, Samantha has climbed the ranks from her start as a retail associate in our Black Mountain store to shift lead and now assistant store manager at our store in Elkin. Samantha credits her success partly to supportive managers she has worked with throughout her career.

Her favorite part of working at Goodwill is being able to refer people to the resources they need to get ahead. Samantha says, "I'm willing to do anything that I can do to help somebody save or budget money, because I know I'm not the only person out there that's a single mom or is trying to save money."

When she moved from Mexico to the U.S., Galilea had to close a well-established business. One silver lining was that this gave Galilea the opportunity to imagine a new career path. Galilea knew that she wanted to complete the high school equivalency (HiSET) through Mitchell Community College, but the future beyond that was a bit foggy.

So, when Galilea first met with Access Center Career Coach Kilby Watson at Goodwill’s Iredell Workforce Development Center, her first step was to register for the HiSET. Then, she shared that she did not have a computer at home to help with her schoolwork. Kilby helped Galilea apply for a Goodwill scholarship to cover tuition costs and to receive a laptop through a partnership program.

Kilby also worked with Galilea to explore her next steps after completing the HiSET. Through assessments and examining her values, Galilea realized that she has a passion for life coaching and wellness. She is currently taking online classes toward a certification and will start the Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in psychology through Mitchell Community College this fall. An additional Goodwill scholarship will help reduce her out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Reflecting on Galilea’s journey, Kilby says, “Galilea is amazing, and I am thrilled to see her eyes light up as she talks about her future. What she envisions for her life is so clear, and now that she has her ‘eye on the ball,’ she is all set to reach out and grab it!”

TOYOTA is bringing thousands of jobs to North Carolina and we're bringing you a chance to explore these exciting opportunities! 🚗

Find out what it’s like to work at TOYOTA Battery Manufacturing LLC at the Day of Work-assessment readiness training. Join us on Wednesday, August 28, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Goodwill Career Connections Center at 719 West Center Street, Lexington.

You'll have the opportunity to:
- Learn about the hiring process
- Participate in hands-on training activities
- Speak with TOYOTA team members who hire and train

You must register to attend, by visiting https://tinyurl.com/3yh3ax7h.

Fall into an exciting career this autumn season by visiting our spectacular recruitment event! 🍁

We've partnered with NC Works to bring you the Season to Succeed Hiring Event. Twelve companies will be in attendance to hire for positions in clerical, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, warehousing, and other fields, offering a wide range of employment opportunities.

When: Thursday, Aug. 29 – 1–4 p.m.
Location: NCWorks Career Center - 403 Conover Station Southeast, Conover
Hosted by Goodwill Catawba County Career Connections & NCWorks Career Center

Be sure to bring an updated resume and dress professionally. For more information or resume assistance, contact Goodwill Career Connections at 828-466-2346.

We're soaking in the last days of summer with 50% off books for educators! 🌤️📚

Now through August 31, all educators can get 50% off books at all Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC retail stores. It's the perfect time to stock up for your classroom library or to catch up on your summer reading before fall hits.

To learn more about this sale, visit www.goodwillbacktoschool.org.

You must present a valid educator ID at the time of purchase. There is no limit on purchases. This offer is valid only at Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina retail stores.

Let us help you look and feel good for your new career! 💙✨

Goodwill and NCWorks Career Centers are partnering with Worthy Women Ministries to provide haircuts, hairstyles, and clothing for job interviews and work. Join us on Sunday, August 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. at our career center, located at 719 West Center Street, Lexington.

Limited spots are available. Appointments for haircuts/styles are required. Please call 336-236-8021 to sign up.

Last weekend, we had the privilege of attending the 12th annual Back 2 School Festival in Boone. 🎒❤️

The festival, which saw a record-breaking 1,900 students, aims to help Watauga County students and their families enter the school year prepared by offering free services and school supplies that help lessen the financial load of back-to-school shopping. We were happy to join the festival with fun games and prizes for students, and information on our free career services for parents.

We're proud of the Goodwill staff who volunteered their time at the festival and the Watauga County community that makes this festival a success every year!

So, tell me about yourself? 😓

Job interviews can be stressful, but with a bit of preparation, you can be coasting into your new job soon. Let us help you prepare with our free mock job interview sessions.

First, we'll have a prep session to share interview tips and etiquette. Then, you'll have a chance to put that knowledge into practice in a mock job interview. Local employers will be on-site to critique your interview skills and offer tips.

Our next session will be next Wednesday, August 21, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Career Center on University Parkway In Winston-Salem. Please register to attend at https://tinyurl.com/3638hbb3. We hope to see you there!

If you're shopping secondhand for a DIY project or just want to wear your finds as is, shopping for quality clothing is key. 🔑✨

So, how can you tell if your secondhand finds are made with a high-quality fabric? In recognition of National Thrift Shop Day this Saturday, August 17, we're sharing some of our tips for finding those high-quality items everyone is looking for.

🌱 Fiber Content: Natural fibers are highly coveted for their durability and comfort, but blends benefit from added strength or wrinkle resistance. Check garment tags to check the percentage of natural and synthetic fibers.

🧶 Tight Weave: Quality clothing typically has a tight weave, which you can check for by holding the material up to the light and seeing how much light passes through. Some items, like knits, don't have a tight weave, but the weave should be consistent with no loose threads.

🖐️ Touch and feel: High-quality fabrics usually feel soft to the touch. They should also drape well when you try them on, meaning they should fall naturally without stiffness.

Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day this Saturday, August 17, by trying out our tips, and let us know in the comments what you do to find the right materials when you shop.

Huge thanks to Boy Scout Troop 716 for their hard work this weekend! 💙🙌

Last weekend, Boy Scout Troop 716 held an electronics donation drive for Goodwill at Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem. Luke organized the drive as part of his Eagle Scout project. He was inspired to organize the drive after learning about the impact electronic waste has on the environment and seeing the destruction firsthand in his own neighborhood. Luke recently graduated from Parkland High School and is headed to UC Davis in the fall.

Luke and his troop collected 1,437 pounds of electronics, which allows us to provide programs and services to help an estimated 60 individuals. Thank you, Luke and Troop 716!

Beat those back-to-school blues with these denim DIYs. 👖✨

Our friends at have been hard at work upcycling old denim. If you're looking for DIY ideas that will also be useful in the new school year, the projects pictured here are fun and relatively simple.

1. Denim bag
2. Pencil Container
3. Personalized Pants
4. Pencil Box
5. Crossbody Bag

We've got an exciting week coming up! 💙✨

Join us as we host local employers from across North Carolina who are eager to hire local talent. You'll find a wide range of opportunities available, including:

- Call Center Associates
- Administrative/Clerical
- Welders
- Distribution and Manufacturing Associates
- and more!

To learn more about these events and others in your area, visit www.goodwillnwnc.org/hiring-events.

Alesha graduated from UNC Asheville early in the pandemic. As a new graduate, she found herself at a loss, uncertain about her next steps in a job market filled with unknowns. She also grappled with a lack of confidence in herself, but she was eager to kickstart her career.

At the Goodwill Career Center in Conover, she connected with Employment Specialist Gina Ortiz and the Goodwill Graduate Services Program. Gina supported Alesha with career coaching, resume revisions, and mock interviewing.

Attending a hiring event proved to be Alesha’s turning point. She learned about an Administrative Technician position with the City of Hickory and was asked to complete an application. Following a successful interview, Alesha received an employment offer.

More than two years later, Alesha has immersed herself in her role with the City of Hickory, learning extensively about waste management regulations, customer service in sanitation, and traffic management. She works on difficult customer requests and ensures smooth operations. Alesha often touches base with Gina to let her know that everything is going smoothly.

Alesha’s dedication and ability to communicate effectively with her supervisor and coworkers have earned her respect and recognition with the City of Hickory. Alesha has shown remarkable growth on a personal level, venturing beyond her comfort zone in both her personal and professional life. Inspired by her father's legacy of retiring with the City of Hickory, Alesha aims to follow in his footsteps and conclude her career journey there - it’s a path she embraces.