SARASOTA, FL – May is Military Appreciation Month and Goodwill Manasota is determined to observe the occasion throughout the month – as well as all year long. On Friday, May 25, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Goodwill Manasota will present a Veterans Open House for veterans and their families at the Goodwill Veterans Services Center (8490 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota). Guests will enjoy a light lunch and hear from numerous community partners who serve veterans and their families.
The Veterans Open House will also offer a “first look” at the newly-renovated Veterans Services Center. The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation provided a generous grant of $50,000 to help spruce up the facility – including updates to the roof, plumbing and more – to enable Goodwill Manasota to expand its service offerings to the community.
Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program, which is staffed by veterans, provides full case management and vocational services that address barriers to employment, disabilities, mental health issues, housing, education and training. The program, which was created in 2013, also helps veterans navigate the wide array of available programs and to secure the benefits to which they are entitled. The Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, which is funded through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor, helps to reintegrate homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that address the complex problems facing homeless veterans and their families. Goodwill also works with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans who are seeking educational assistance.
“Since the program first began, we have served more than 1,000 area veterans and their families. We respect and appreciate our heroes; our Veterans Services Program exists because of a need in our community that we are determined to meet,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Thanks to creative partnerships, Goodwill has created a seamless case management system that supports each veteran’s unique strengths and needs regarding housing, family, education and other challenges while helping to develop more self-sufficient and productive members of society.”
This event is free and no RSVP is necessary – all area veterans and their families are invited to attend. For more about Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program, go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721, ext. 451.
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 2017, Goodwill Manasota served 11,672 people, placed 555 people in jobs, assisted 360 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce, and provided 19,540 hours of on-the-clock training for its employees. 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 41 million pounds out of the landfill. 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.