I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes,
and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those"don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.

He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke.

"That's a very pretty car," he said... more

	Preserve Funds for Workforce, Education, and Social Service Programs
	Job Creation Up in 3rd Quarter, DOL Reports
	House Adopts Budget, Setting up Floor Action on Appropriations Bills
	Goodwill Training & Employment Programs
	Goodwill Proudly Provided the Cleaning for the Final Booz Allen Classic!
	Locations Needed for Attended Donation Sites

Dear Supporter,

"There are high spots in all of our lives, and most of them come about through encouragement from someone else."

-- George Adams

This quote calls to mind the people you have affected at Goodwill of Greater Washington that you have not met!

Through your support, whether it is financially, by volunteering your time, by donating your car, by your donations to our stores or by shopping at our stores, you have given the people who work at Goodwill or who go through our training programs encouragement.

You give them encouragement to build a stronger life environment for themselves and their families by providing them dignity through work. Thank you for helping us to create “high spots” in the lives of those who are touched by Goodwill of Greater Washington.

Catherine Meloy
President & CEO

Preserve Funds for Workforce, Education, and Social Service Programs

As Congress approves budget and appropriations legislation for federal Fiscal Year 2007, we need your support to urge Congress to not place the burden of balancing the budget on vital programs that that protect and strengthen the communities we serve.

While far from exhaustive, below are some of the federal programs that disproportionately serve low-income or disadvantaged communities and are among the most vulnerable to service reductions in the coming fiscal year:

- Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
- Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
- Affordable Housing Programs
- Job Training Programs

We know that the federal budget can be balanced without significant cuts that affect the most vulnerable citizens in our society. Please contact your congressional representatives immediately to help preserve these critical programs. Just visit this page to find your congressman and senator.

Job Creation Up in Third Quarter, DOL Reports

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the private sector created 8,055,000 jobs adjusted in the third quarter, which is 123,000 more than jobs created in the second quarter. However, job losses also rose in the third quarter, by an increase of 69,000. In most sectors, except leisure and hospitality, gross job gains exceeded job losses.

The nation's construction industry posted its ninth consecutive increase; this sector created 868,000 jobs, while losing 782,000 jobs, for a gain of 86,000. In the service-producing industries of professional and business services, there was a net gain of 120,000 jobs. Firms with less than 500 employees comprised 51.9 percent of the net job gain, during this quarter. For a copy of this report, visit http://www.bls.gov/

House Adopts Budget, Setting up Floor Action on Appropriations Bills

The House by a narrow margin approved its fiscal year 2007 budget resolution by 218-210 after the House leadership promised moderates that they would find an additional $3.1 billion for labor, health, and education programs... more

Goodwill Proudly Provides the Cleaning for the Final Booz Allen Classic!

Goodwill of Greater Washington is once again proud to provide the cleaning services for this year's Booz Allen Golf Classic at TPC Avenel June 19 th – June 25th. For the third year in a row, Goodwill has helped keep the parking areas around the tournament clean and presentable for the attendees, media, and players.

Locations Needed for Attended Donation Sites

Do you have a business or know of a location where Goodwill can put an attended donation site? If so, please contact Gene Ficarra at (202) 715 -2635 or email genef@dcgoodwill.org

Goodwill of Greater Washington would like to recognize its Employees of the Month for April. This award is given to the Goodwill retail, contracts, or production division employee who has demonstrated his or her ability to provide the best in customer care and dedication to the Goodwill mission.

Goodwill of Greater Washington's Employees of the month for April 2006 are:

Production - Juan Carlos
Contracts - Irene Hewitt
Retail - Cesar Aquillar
Transportation - Charlie Bryant

GOODWILL OF GREATER WASHINGTON'S MISSION

Goodwill of Greater Washington's mission is to educate, train, employ and place people with disadvantages and disabilities, creating a stronger workforce and a more vital community while building dignity for the people we serve through the removal of barriers to personal success.