Jim Gibbons

Serving America's heroes! It's our honor and our duty -- not only that, it's important for our future! The men and women who have served our country in times of peace and war have earned our gratitude; but sometimes being thankful isn't enough. The young men and women who serve...

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in April 2012, 12.5 million Americans were still unemployed. As someone who works at a social enterprise focused on putting people back to work, that number is certainly alarming. But here's one that disturbs me even more: there are currently...

As the head of the leading nonprofit provider of employment in North America, it is imperative that I stay up to date on jobs in emerging and high-demand industries -- especially in this down economy. One trend that has not diminished over time is the demand for professionals in the...

Many of us have parents or loved ones of advanced years. We all want to feel confident that they will be able to retain their independence and dignity throughout their life.

But guess what? We're all getting older. We're all stakeholders in aging issues. With one out...

Imagine you're 18 years old and living in a shelter with your mom. You started working at Goodwill® last week, and just got your first paycheck. A paycheck that is going to help both you and your mom start down a new path.

While on your way to work,...

Throughout the holiday season, the Consumer Electronics Association reminded us that electronics -- especially tablets, laptops and TVs -- were the most-wanted gifts. So as we enter the new year, it's a good time to assess the new gadgets you received and consider what to do with the electronics you'll...

A Goodwill® social enterprise is founded on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to achieve independence through the power of work. While the job market and small business climate may continue to look bleak, it is inspiring to hear stories about booming innovative social enterprises, even in...

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina in Winston-Salem. The last time I was there I visited a Prosperity Center. This time, I was excited to hear they opened another one.

Prosperity Centers are dedicated to assisting people in their community succeed...

As a person who is blind, I often talk about the value of hiring people with disabilities. That is because they are uniquely equipped to confront challenges and solve problems, and they possess the skills that modern businesses require. Unfortunately, most people with disabilities face a challenging employment picture. October...

All Americans remember where they were on September 11, 2001. Ten years ago today, I was in my office in Alexandria, VA, and I heard the explosion at the Pentagon from my window. It was a sad and frightening day that left many of us feeling vulnerable and unsure of...

My family and I had the opportunity to attend the most recent Goodwill store opening in our area this past Saturday. This new, exciting thrifting opportunity took place in Fairfax, Va., at 9960 Main St. and represented the first time I had the opportunity to attend a store...

Try for a second to get your head around the number two billion. Well, since I just asked you for a second of your time to think about it, let's start there: two billion seconds roughly equals 63 years of a person's lifetime.

There are now thought to be...

Most parents look to the holiday season as a means to teach their children about gratitude. But as a parent of three children, including teens and tweens, I can tell you that there are many other opportunities to teach your children about helping others and expanding their mindsets beyond their...

My teenage son, Thomas, likes to thrift shop. While the average teen is spending 40 or more hours online on a weekly basis, there is a high percentage of teens, like Thomas, who enjoy "thrifting."

Why? There is an ongoing pressure for teens to wear new fashions that set them...

If you tuned into ESPN's SportsCenter a few weeks ago, you may have caught this incredible shot featured as the #1 pick on "Top 10 Plays of the Day."

One of the first jobs I ever performed was as a janitor, cleaning offices. Today, I'm the CEO of an international nonprofit that serves nearly 2.5 million people each year. My journey from janitor to CEO presented many moments when I had to convince potential employers that I was the...

A few weeks ago, you may have seen the shot below featured as the number one play on ESPN SportsCenter's "Top 10 Plays of the Day."

The 60-foot field goal electrified sports fans everywhere -- not just because it featured 16-year-old Jerrbryon Graves beating out Kobe Bryant and LeBron...

Over the past decade, there has been a quiet sea of change in the way we think about giving.

Throughout most of societal history, there were two organized entities concerned with human well-being: government and faith-based groups. Then, as the country and the world became increasingly interconnected during the...

On April 22, more than one billion people around the globe will celebrate Earth Day. They'll plant trees, unplug electronics, switch to energy-efficient light bulbs and, if they received a particularly good tax rebate, maybe even trade in their gas-guzzler for a hybrid. From the classroom to the workplace to...

Last June, the Afghanistan war officially became the longest-running conflict in U.S. history, and thousands of Americans are still serving in Iraq after eight years of combat there. But perhaps the most unusual thing about these wars is the small number of Americans who are personally affected by them. Only...