SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota has released its program numbers for 2016 and the data shows record-breaking impact for the nonprofit organization, which serves Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Hardee counties. Goodwill’s impact is divided into four areas: employment, environmental, educational and economic. The data was collected through a third-party independent study, conducted by Elliott D. Pollack & Company, of the business operations of Goodwill Manasota along with Goodwill agencies throughout Florida.
Goodwill Manasota provides meaningful, long-term employment opportunities to people who have long struggled to find work. Through education and training, the organization helps team members overcome barriers that result from disability, lack of education, poor language skills, or a myriad of other obstacles that have kept them from entering or remaining in the workforce. Last year, Goodwill Manasota placed 764 people in jobs throughout the region and assisted 28,207 individuals through its training, services and programs, an increase of 24 percent from 2015.
Most notable was Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact on the community. This past year, Goodwill Manasota’s local economic impact was more than $92.1 million – a 13.1 percent increase over last year. Economic impact equals the gross receipts for goods or services generated in the economy through all of the organization’s activities, including job placements through its Job Connection program, revenue generated through its own business operations, capital improvements to new and existing facilities, money that Goodwill employees pump back into local economies, and more.
Environmental stewardship is key to Goodwill Manasota’s operations. The organization pioneered the reduce-reuse-recycle effort in order to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve our planet for future generations. Last year, approximately 40 million pounds were diverted from local landfills, thanks to Goodwill’s recycling and salvage efforts, green business practices, and resale of unwanted items donated by community members.
At Goodwill, providing opportunities for people to further their education and advance their careers is also extremely important. Educational and training programs teach practical, real-world skills needed for career and life success. Goodwill employees received 18,330 hours of on-the-clock training and education, enhancing their current and future career prospects, long-term wage potential, and life goals.
Last year, Goodwill Manasota served 240 veterans in 2016 through its Veterans Services Program, which has been operating for more than three years. Through the Veterans Services Program, Goodwill works to help returning servicemen and women reintegrate back into their families, communities and jobs.
“In 2016, Goodwill Manasota continued to expand its operations, with ongoing improvements to our retail and donations operations, the addition of numerous educational and programmatic offerings, and creative partnerships with area corporations and nonprofits to enhance our ability to serve the community,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Our generous community enabled us to provide programs and services to more than 28,000 local residents, far exceeding previous years. We are sincerely grateful to our board of directors, donors, shoppers, supporters, volunteers and our incredible team members, who made our significant community impact possible.”
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 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 764 people in jobs and assisted 303 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 40 million pounds out of the landfill. 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 Manasota is 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.