SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota vice president Margie Genter, who oversees the organization’s mission services, has recently been nominated for two distinguished awards presented annually by Goodwill Industries International (GII). The recognition acknowledges Genter’s leadership and 28 years of trailblazing impact on the nonprofit, which serves Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Hardee counties.
Both awards will be presented through the 2017 GII Awards Program during the GII Spring Conference in Houston, Tex. in late April. The first nomination is for the Edgar J. Helms Award for Staff, named for the founder of Goodwill Industries, which is presented to an individual who exemplifies the mission of Goodwill and the Rev. Helms’ values of unselfish service to people with disabilities. Genter’s other nomination is for the Robert E. Charlotte Watkins Award for Excellence in Mission Advancement, which honors achievement by a local Goodwill organization in advancing the Goodwill mission by serving persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment.
As the vice president of mission services, Genter develops, plans, and executes activities and programs that focus on employment. She is the direct supervisor of the Commission on Accreditation and Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International accreditation for the Goodwill Job Connection career services program; she has helped secure this certification for Goodwill Manasota since 1988.
Genter began as an intern with Goodwill. She rose through the ranks, in positions including work adjustment training counselor, store manager, and director of housing before earning the post of vice president of mission services. She has been instrumental in bolstering the local community by creating resources to empower persons with disabilities and other barriers to employement to become more self-sufficient through programs that enhance skills, move students towards degrees and certifications, and assist in obtaining and retaining employment.
Genter oversees programs including the Job Connection, which provides free job-placement services to individuals seeking community-based jobs; the Good Partner Coach Program, which provides mentoring and coaching services to all Goodwill team members; the Goodwill Works Program, which helps people who need extra help in developing skills; and the Workforce Education Program, which provides opportunities for people to earn their high school diploma.
“I am extremely proud that Margie is being considered for these prestigious awards. We appreciate the work she does every day to help community members become more employable and move toward financial stability,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Goodwill is fortunate to have someone of Margie’s caliber who has dedicated nearly her entire professional career to changing lives through the power of work.”
She is dedicated to the well-being of others outside the workplace as well – Genter donates her time and leadership to numerous area nonprofits. She is the secretary of the board of directors for Turning Points, which provides, coordinates and facilitates services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Manatee County. She serves on the board for Beneva Oaks Apartments, which offers affordable, barrier-free living options for people with disabilities. She is also a board member for Ave Maria Preparatory School, the only grade 2-12 school in the region for children and young adults with special learning needs.
She has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Certified Vocational Evaluation, and Certified Occupancy Specialist. She has served as president of the local and state chapters of the Florida Rehabilitation Association and president of the Florida Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Association, which represents the interest and needs of human service professionals who work with people in support of their endeavors in training, employment and education to enhance successful attainment of career goals.
“When I came to Goodwill Manasota 28 years ago, I was looking forward to assisting the organization with delivering its mission of ‘changing lives through the power of work.’ Little did I know that the first life I would change would be my own,” she said. “It has been a privilege to get up every Monday and go to a job that provides me with real meaning and purpose, one that has had an enormous positive impact on so many in our community.”
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 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 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 more than 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.