Goodwill Manasota has received a $5,000 grant from the Harold C and Jacqueline F Bladel Foundation which will be used to train students with disabilities.

Goodwill’s Supported JobsPlus Job Coaches will provide the necessary hands on training, extra help and support to students from the Ave Maria Preparatory School.  Ave Maria works with students dealing with disabilities and other special learning needs. For most, Goodwill will be their first employer and with the help of our Supported JobsPlus Coaches, it will allow the student to learn basic employability skills, a positive and meaningful work experience, along with a paycheck, and will assist the student in improving his/her self-esteem.  

“Goodwill knows that stable, productive employment for people with barriers is the first step toward self-sufficiency,” said Bob Rosinsky, President & CEO of Goodwill Manasota.  “We are grateful to the Harold C and Jacqueline F Bladel Foundation for their generous support.”

Our Supported JobsPlus program provides long-term sustained employment to individuals with physical, developmental, mental and emotional disabilities. The program features workplace accommodations and access to GoodPartner Coaches; providing employment, family and personal coaching.  Supported JobsPlus Team Members are seamlessly integrated into our stores, where they learn positive workplace behaviors while earning a paycheck.

About Goodwill Manasota:

Goodwill Industries Manasota, Inc., is an industry-leading, not-for-profit business that turns donations into good jobs, good homes and good neighborhoods. 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. For more than 100 years, Goodwill has provided opportunities through such programs as Donated Goods Employment Services, Job Connection, JobsPlus, Supported JobsPlus, GoodHomes, the HomeBuyer’s Club, Mission Development Services, White Glove Services, Good Neighbor Program and Ambassadors Program. Goodwill continues to assist people with disabilities and barriers to opportunity by providing good jobs, good homes and good neighborhoods. Individual tax-deductible donations to Goodwill Manasota can be made at EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG.