About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Industries of 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 1981, Goodwill of the Suncoast (Tampa) split into several divisions and Goodwill Industries Manasota, Inc. (GIM) was born. In the beginning, as with many Goodwills of the time, sheltered workshops which employed the developmentally delayed and those with physical handicaps were the focus of the work of GIM.
Along with the sheltered workshops, 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 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.
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
Our People. They are our greatest asset.
Honesty. We work together with integrity and with the highest ethical standards.
Effectiveness .We are dedicated to making the right things happen with superior results.
Stewardship. We accept responsibility for the care of our mission, guiding principles, resources and people.
Continuous Improvement. We are better today than yesterday, but not as good as tomorrow.
Teamwork. No person is as smart as all of us.
Open Communications. We create a safe environment for quality communications as well as quality listening.
Responsibility. We value our personal and professional obligations; we keep our promises.
Spirit. We bring a passion for our mission in all we do.
Acknowledgement. Our people will be coached and know where they stand. We recognize work well done.
Empowerment. We provide skills, resources and authority to assist people in making informed decisions.
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