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Health & Fitness

Goodwill Manasota Awarded Grant to Help People Become Self-Sufficient

Goodwill Manasota has received a $77,500 grant from the Ralph S. French Foundation to hire an additional two coaches for the GoodPartner Coach program.       

The GoodPartner Coach program provides persons with disabilities, and other barriers to employment, with job training, meaningful work and individualized case management. Every Goodwill Manasota team member is assigned a coach, and the program aims for individuals to earn a paycheck while gaining positive personal and workplace behavior and skills – building a strong work history and developing a launching pad within Goodwill or wherever personal goals may lead them.

“We are proud to once again receive a grant from the Ralph S. French Foundation to help fund our GoodPartner Coach program,” said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We invest in the employees at Goodwill, and we recognize their abilities and potential, regardless of any personal barrier they may face. This program is a way for us to help create a stronger community, as we help them achieve their dreams.”

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“The French Foundation is a proud supporter of Goodwill Manasota,” said Jim Alderman, administrative co-trustee of the Ralph S. French Foundation. “They do an outstanding job, especially in their GoodPartner Coach program.”

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services that has specially highlighted Goodwill Manasota’s GoodPartner Coach program as exemplary. People with developmental and physical disabilities experience one of the highest unemployment rates of any group in the community, and Goodwill knows that stable, productive employment is the first step toward self-sufficiency. Goodwill proudly recruits, hires and addresses the individual employment needs of persons with disabilities and barriers to self-sufficiency.

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About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2013, we served more than 16,000 people, placed 537 people in jobs and assisted 329 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million.  We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America.  Goodwill has provided opportunities through such programs as Donated Goods Employment Services, Job Connection, American Veterans & their Families Initiative, JobsPlus, Supported JobsPlus, GoodwillWorks, White Glove Services, Good Neighbor Program and Ambassadors Program. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 37 million pounds out of the landfill.  Goodwill Manasota is legally organized under the laws of the United States and the State of Florida. We are accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is NOT owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG.

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