Goodwill Industries of the Valleys

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More to Our Store-y: How My Career Advisor is Kickstarting Careers in Virginia

What was your first job? Was it mowing your neighbor’s lawn, babysitting young relatives, or swirling soft serve at your local ice cream parlor? No one is born with work experience. We all have to start somewhere. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys recognizes everyone has unique abilities, talents, and interests. Our career support team works with our community every day to provide resources that help job seekers find employment, maybe even for the first time. As a recent high school graduate, Connor Hall knew he wanted to start the job-search process. He reached out to Goodwill and enrolled in the…

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More to Our Store-y: 5 Reasons to Donate to Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys has long been a cornerstone of community support, offering far more than just a place to donate unwanted items. As a nonprofit organization with a rich history dating back to 1931, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of society while maintaining its core mission of empowering individuals through employment opportunities. Today, Goodwill stands as a multifaceted organization that not only provides affordable shopping options but also serves as a vital economic driver, sustainability champion, and community builder. In this blog post, we’ll explore five compelling reasons why donating…

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More to Our Store-y: Mindy Boyd, Chief Operations Officer

More to Our Store-y: Mindy Boyd Celebrates 20 Years at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Mindy Boyd’s career at Goodwill began with moving to Roanoke in 1990 to pursue studies at Radford University. Originally trained to work in the medical field, Mindy opted for a change and committed to managing Goodwill’s Christiansburg store for what she anticipated would be a brief stint of six months. Little did she know this decision would shape her future profoundly. Q: You got your start at Goodwill as a store manager. What was it like switching from the medical field to Goodwill’s retail setting…

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More to Our Store-y: Oliver Blaney, Store Manager

Oliver Blaney’s journey with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys showcases his growth from a part-time processor to a seasoned manager, and his passion for our mission. Q: When did you start your career with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys? A: I started with Goodwill back in 2014 as a part-time processor at the Orange Avenue location here in Roanoke. Initially, I saw Goodwill as just a thrift store, but as I got more involved, I learned about all the community programs and the mission it supports. Over the years, I’ve moved up from part-time roles to becoming a store manager,…

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More to Our Store-y: Brenda Young, Donated Goods Processor

In the heart of Daleville, Virginia, Brenda Young has been a cornerstone of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys for more than 15 years. Her journey from the restaurant industry to retail exemplifies dedication and a deep commitment to both her role at the Daleville store and her community. Q: Can you tell us how long you’ve been with Goodwill? A: I’ve been with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys for about 15 years. I started at the Melrose location and then moved to the Daleville store about 10 years ago. Q: That’s quite a tenure! What initially drew you to Goodwill?…

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More to Our Store-y: Daniel Breen, Baler

Daniel Breen’s journey in his own words from living on the streets to obtaining stability and independence with his job at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. How did you start working at Goodwill, and how has your journey been since joining the organization in 2017? A: I began working at Goodwill thanks to an opportunity from the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, where I was staying at the time. I enjoyed the job and was eventually hired full time. Since then, my life has changed dramatically. I’ve moved from homelessness to having my own apartment, which is a big achievement for…

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Left side reads Q & A with Daniel Breen, Baler. Right side of image shows man wearing a Goodwill vest in front of a wall of clothes.

More to Our Store-y: Melissa “Shug” Banks, E-Commerce Supervisor

Discover the inspiring journey of Melissa, affectionately known as “Shug,” who transformed her life through Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. Initially seeking a change from her third-shift job, Shug found more than just employment at Goodwill; she discovered a community dedicated to making a difference. From her start as a shipper to becoming a supervisor in e-commerce, her career has flourished alongside Goodwill’s mission. Shug shares how initiatives like Melrose Plaza are reshaping her community and providing opportunities for the next generation. Her story is a testament to personal growth, mentorship, and the profound impact of meaningful work. Read more…

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Text on left reads "Q&A" with Melissa Shug Banks, e-commerce supervisor. Woman Goodwill worker is standing in front of a shelf of books.

“The Most Important Months of My Life”: A Teen’s Journey of Obtaining His GED at Goodwill

Eighteen-year-old Eain Lawhorn hadn’t stepped foot in a traditional classroom in almost a decade. “The last time I went to a public school was third grade,” said Lawhorn, who’d been homeschooled with his siblings in Roanoke. “I didn’t have much going for me and wasn’t too proud of what I had managed to accomplish up till then.” This June, Lawhorn officially became a graduate of Goodwill Industries of the Valley’s YouthBuild & GED program. Goodwill partners with local providers to offer adult students the opportunity to complete a program to earn their GED® or National External Diploma Program®. Although Goodwill was…

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Life After Incarceration: A Former Prisoner’s Reflection on Goodwill’s Career Navigation Program

Virginia releases roughly 229,418 men and 67,496 women from its prisons and jails each year. In the realm of reentry programs and career navigation, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals seeking a fresh start. One Virginian’s transformative journey from the prison system to ushering systemic change in his community paints a vivid picture of empowerment, resilience, and unwavering commitment to bettering oneself. Bernard Taylor always assumed that Goodwill was just a clothing store. After serving 25 years at Bland Correctional Center, the Roanoke native returned to his hometown and sought support to restart his…

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Pricing Systems at Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys receives thousands of items each day at its retail locations in Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia. These donations fuel the retail stores that support the job seeker services provided by Goodwill in the local community. Goodwill uses pricing guidelines to assist employees as they determine how to price an item. While employees use a computer system to create the pricing stickers, the system provides a range of 5-10 prices for an item category. The computer system does not designate among brands. “Perhaps the biggest misperception related to pricing is that our employees look up each…

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