About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Industries Manasota is an industry-leading, not-for-profit business that turns donations into good jobs, good homes and good neighborhoods.
The national movement of Goodwill began in 1902 in Boston, in the basement of a Methodist Church. The Reverend Edgar Helms first thought he wanted to give clothing collected from his wealthy parishioners to the poor, unemployable of Boston. But upon reflection decided to ask them to work repairing the clothing for sale. Thus began the concept of a hand up, not a hand out.
In 1982, Goodwill of the Suncoast (Tampa) created several autonomous Goodwills, one of which was Goodwill Industries-Manasota, Inc. (GIM). Along with vocational rehab and work adjustment programs, GIM relied upon its network of stores full of goods donated by the public to fund its services. In the late 1980s, GIM was in the forefront of the movement to move people from sheltered employment to mainstream jobs. In the early 1990s, GIM created the Job Connection which was the first self-funded program for people in the community. Thousands of people have found employment through GIM’s Job Connection and many other Goodwills across the country have followed suit with their own programs.
In 1996 GIM received a $7 million demonstration grant from the Federal government to implement a welfare to work program and changed its focus to employment as mission. Currently, at GIM 30% of all employees have a physical, developmental or other disability. 64% of all employees have a disabling condition such as a lack of language skills or education.
Understanding that barriers to employment are often complex and interwoven, GIM created its GoodPartner Coach program which assigns a coach to each team member within the first 90 days of employment. This coach then meets with the team member to determine their needs, wants and desires and tailor a plan to reach those goals. For some it is as simple as finishing their GED. For others childcare, transportation, housing and educational issues are all on the plan. Our Good Partner Coach was noted as being an exemplary program by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF)
GIM also has an extensive business to business training program with other Goodwills ranging from Sarnia, Ontario (Canada) to Mobile, Alabama!
Core Values - What We Believe
People. They are our greatest asset.
Integrity. We value our personal and professional obligations and keep our promises.
Stewardship. We manage the resources entrusted to us with responsibility and care.
Hand up, not hand out. We believe that self-reliance leads to dignity.
Empowerment. We expect our employees to make independent decisions.
Recognition. We acknowledge work well done.
Spirit. We conduct our work with enthusiasm.
Teamwork. We ask for input from those around us and work with one another to accomplish our goals.
Open Communication. We respect open and honest communication.
Continuous Improvement. We are committed to the pursuit of excellence.
