About Goodwill
Goodwill Industries-Manasota is a mission-integrated nonprofit enterprise with one goal: the development and operation of high-impact social services that result in good jobs, good homes, and good neighborhoods.
We finance our activities through the collection and sale of donated goods at our many vocational training facilities, and the financial support of numerous philanthropic organizations and individuals.
Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms collected used household goods and clothing, then hired and trained people who were considered unemployable to mend and resell the used goods. The system worked and the Goodwill philosophy of "a hand up, not a hand out" was born. Goodwill Industries, Manasota was established in Sarasota, Florida.
Goodwill Industries Manasota is a locally governed 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Facts
| JobsPlus | 21 |
|---|---|
| Beneva Oaks | 40 Families |
| GoodHomes | 4 Homes |
| HomeBuyer's Club | 408 |
| Job Connection | 673 |
| GoodPartner Coach | 492 |
| GED Graduates | 4 |
| ESOL | 54 |
| GoodNeighbor Participants | 1,217 |
| Total | 2,913 |
| Information & Referrals | 14,083 |
The national movement of Goodwill began in 1902 in Boston, in the basement of a Methodist Church. The Reverend Edgar Helms wanted to give clothing collected from his wealthy parishioners to the poor, unemployable Irish of Boston. However, those he sought to serve rejected that idea and asked to be put 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 (Florida) 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. GIM was in the forefront of the movement to move people from sheltered employment to mainstream jobs. In 1996 GIM received a $10,000,000 demonstration grant from the Federal government to implement a welfare to work program and changed its focus to employment as mission. Currently, at GIM, 29% 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. GIM has created programs to help employees overcome their barriers to good jobs.
