Volunteering Week 9:
Today at volunteering, I was told to pull out clothes that had a yellow colored tag. While working, there was an announcement that kept being made throughout the whole store, which was that the goal of Goodwill was to fight unemployment in Arizona. Each day, there is a colored tag that is picked out, which is 50% off, and today, it was the orange tag. There was also an announcement that each Thursday of the week is called, Thrifty Thursday. They try to have a discount in the store each day of the week.
Poverty and Justice Project
I was conducting research on poverty foundations in Arizona and I came across one called the Poverty and Justice Project. I read their goals and information about the project on azcaa.org, and I was able to contact them through email. This is the content of the email. I have not yet received answers or a response yet, but I am interested in learning more about this foundation.
To whom this may concern,
Hello, I am a high school student currently studying and doing a project on poverty, for my government class. After conducting a lot of research on poverty and foundations, I discovered the Poverty and Justice project. I was just wondering if I would be able to ask some questions regarding this project so that I, as a student and as an individual living in Arizona, can make a difference to solve the issue of poverty. I also aim to inform other students at my school and at other schools of this issue, so that we can all work to try to lower the poverty rates in Arizona, as well as in the nation.
Here are some questions that I would like to ask. I am aware that some of these could be answered through information on the website, but please just elaborate and explain, if possible. I would really appreciate it if I could get some feedback. Thank you.
What are some of the goals of the Poverty and Justice project?
Why was this project started?
To whom does this project aim to impact?
What steps are being taken to ensure that this project can be successful?
What do you believe other individuals in Arizona can do to help?
Are there any specific reasons or personal experiences that led to the creation of the project?
How can people get involved in the Poverty and Justice Project to help?
To whom this may concern,
Hello, I am a high school student currently studying and doing a project on poverty, for my government class. After conducting a lot of research on poverty and foundations, I discovered the Poverty and Justice project. I was just wondering if I would be able to ask some questions regarding this project so that I, as a student and as an individual living in Arizona, can make a difference to solve the issue of poverty. I also aim to inform other students at my school and at other schools of this issue, so that we can all work to try to lower the poverty rates in Arizona, as well as in the nation.
Here are some questions that I would like to ask. I am aware that some of these could be answered through information on the website, but please just elaborate and explain, if possible. I would really appreciate it if I could get some feedback. Thank you.
What are some of the goals of the Poverty and Justice project?
Why was this project started?
To whom does this project aim to impact?
What steps are being taken to ensure that this project can be successful?
What do you believe other individuals in Arizona can do to help?
Are there any specific reasons or personal experiences that led to the creation of the project?
How can people get involved in the Poverty and Justice Project to help?
Volunteering Week 7
Today at Goodwill, I was told to pull out clothes out of the racks, that had a pink tag. There were a lot of clothes that were taken off, but I am unsure of what the store does with the pulled clothes. While working , many announcements were made. Today, items marked with green tags were 50% off. They had also mentioned that on a certain day, some items are only $1. Many of the items there are cheap. Looking at the price tags, I discovered that children clothes were about $2 to $3, whereas adult clothes ranged from $5 to $8. This is extremely convenient for people who are not able to afford very expensive clothes and items. Furthermore, on the wall, they had a statement, which said, "Goodwill's commitment: whens items are generously donated, they are resold in our retail stores, funding programs that put people to work". I thought it was very interesting knowing how dedicated that the store is to put people to work. In fact, today, there was even a teenage girl doing a job interview.
Primavera Foundation Update
In order to assure stability, the Primavera Foundation offers job training and work for individuals and families who are homeless, so that they are able to work and get affordable and safe houses. On their website, listed is available jobs, which include:
- Janitorial
- Light manufacturing
- General labor
- Receptionist
- Restaurant work
- Assembly
- Construction
- Housekeeping
- Data entry
- Landscaping
- Buffel grass removal
Primavera FoundationThe Primavera Foundation aims to provide paths for people to take so that they are able to surpass poverty, through safe and affordable housing, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization. Recently, they have celebrated 252 low-income house owners, raising $29 million for the community. By donating, you are helping to end poverty and help improve the community. The donations that are given are used to provide food, shelter, and other necessities needed to live properly. Additionally, the money goes towards financial education and workforce training for those, as many are not receiving education and many are unemployed.
Check out their website to find out more |
Letter to the GovernorI had done some research discovering that John McCain had done a bit more towards the issue of poverty. Therefore, I decided to send Doug Ducey this letter, containing this content.
Dear Governor Doug Ducey, As a U.S citizen and as an individual living in the state of Arizona, I highly encourage you to take action in order to create a solution for poverty in Arizona. According to statistics, Arizona was ranked the third- worst state with poverty, in the year of 2014. Although this information was taken from two years ago, the rate of poverty has been increasing throughout the years. There is an estimated amount of 21.2 percent of citizens in this state , who are living below the poverty line. Right now in Arizona, 824,000 people are living in poverty, and 29 percent are children who are under the age of 5. These people are struggling and are in need of assistance. Therefore, as a constituent, I strongly believe that you should do something to lower the percentage of people who are living in poverty. Low-employment/ unemployment is a major factor that is causing poverty in the nation. There needs to be job promotions and many individuals, as well as families, need necessities in order to live. Donations make a big impact, either providing them with money for houses, clothes, food, or the items themselves. Low-income individuals and families need help. I am asking you to please take action so these people can live in a house, have food, clothes, and jobs. Thank you. Sincerely, Caryssa |
Volunteering: Week 5
At Goodwill today, the store was busy and there were many customers in the store. I was asked to put clothes and items away, as they were on a rack that people had put unwanted items. The store is very organized and has a unique system of keeping the clothes organized. First of all, the clothes are color coordinated, the sizes are put out so that customers are able to easily see them, and each tag has it's own individual color. Goodwill has a calendar in which daily specials can be found. Usually, the color of the day is 50% off. This is really helpful towards the people who can only spend so much, but need to by the necessary items that they need in order to live. At the store, there is not only clothing, but many appliances, furniture, and even food and drinks can be found. The prices are cheap as they already are, ranging from $5 to $10, and with the special discounts, the items get much cheaper. Many people who are living in poverty live off of something as low as $2 a day. With the cheap items that can be found at Goodwill, the people who do not have enough money to spend so much, can get their necessities there. Furthermore, while looking at the calendar, I discovered that they have numerous dates saved for hiring events. The loss of jobs and unemployment is one of the major factors that cause poverty. Goodwill aims to give people more jobs so that they can become employed.
ObservationsAs I was driving around with my family today, we saw an old man holding a sign that said "lost job". He was in need of help. Out in the streets near the highway, this man was the perfect example of how people are becoming unemployed. Of course, he received donations, as he has lost his job and needed aid. Poverty rates are growing throughout the years and one of the biggest reasons is the lack of jobs and employment. There are many candidates and other political people, such as Paul Ryan, who have a goal of fixing the issue of poverty. Furthermore, parties, such as the Reform party, want job promotions and more employment.
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Volunteering:Week 3Today, I was asked to go through the aisles and fix and clothes that were not properly hung on the hanger, as well as picking clothes that were dropped on the ground or not put on a hanger. While I was going through the aisles, not I came across a sign that said, "Together, let's put your stuff to work to fight unemployment thru our 22 no-cost public career centers". When I read this, I really connected it to all of the unemployment and how that is one of the main factors that causes and leads to poverty.
Volunteering: Day 1Today was my first day volunteering at Goodwill. They had me organizing the clothes on the rack by the color, in a specific order. Along with that, I had to look through the clothes and remove ones that had a pink tag on them. I found out that each piece of clothing has a certain colored tag. Each day, Goodwill chooses a colored tag, and for that day, the piece of clothing with the specific tag color will have a discount. When I volunteered today, Any item with a green tag was 50% off. Many of the clothes there were already at a low price. For example, as I was color coding the clothes, many of them were $5 or $6 dollars. Moreover, as I was volunteering, they had ads play, saying "Goodwill is the place that gets people jobs and puts them to work". I found that interesting, as their uniforms had that same phrase. |
Volunteering at GoodwillI have just recently been accepted as a volunteer at Goodwill. Before applying, I did research to discover how this place could be connected to the topic of poverty. Donating your time, possessions, and even shopping at Goodwill helps to support job placement, which allows for many individuals to become employed. The first step to helping fight unemployment is by giving donations. Shopping there and putting money towards the items that are in store, go towards the people who need help to find a job. The donation as well as the shopping allows for the store to fund career centers, which offer skills training and job placement services for those who are seeking to become employed. One major issue that is related to poverty is unemployment.
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LocationGoodwill
13055 West Thunderbird Road El Mirage, Arizona 85335 |