The Good Will of
Goodwill: IMPACT INITIATIVE By Ryan G. Van Cleave
From the new 30,000-square-foot thrift store and community and job placement center on North Tamiami Trail by Sarasota Brandenton International Airport to the Donation Center or the Clearance Store on South Tamiami Trail by Westfield Sarasota Square Mall, Goodwill is a distinct part of our community. What it represents, though, is far more reaching than a store where people can buy second-hand goods. Goodwill is about dignity, empowerment, and opportunity. “Like the pebble in the pond, our mission to individuals creates a profound ripple effect,” says Veronica Miller, vice president of Goodwill Industries Manasota. One way that happens is through their mission of “Changing Lives Through the Power of Work,” which is changing our workforce. Miller says, “Our job placement and career services help reduce unemployment, poverty, and crime by creating higher value employees. It also affects the local environment and helps boost education.” Don Roberts, past CEO of Goodwill Manasota, adds, “Goodwill is a place to be shared, providing an opportunity for people to grow and creating a better economy.”
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December 2013
Since its inception 110 years ago, Goodwill has existed to create work opportunities, skills development, and social integration for people with disabilities or facing other barriers to employment. Goodwill believes that when people are working, communities are working. In short, work helps people to belong, to matter, and to connect to each other, which ultimately makes communities stronger and healthier. Something most people don’t realize is that Goodwill Manasota is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that in essence belongs to this community. It’s not owned by any individual or company — the only “big business” accountability they have is to a local Board of Directors. To support Goodwill Manasota is to support ourselves. More to the point, by donating or shopping at Goodwill, we help them place local people in jobs. Whether we’re clearing out our closets or making a charitable donation, it helps in big ways. Miller notes that donors do need to be conscientious and careful. “Not all thrift stores are charities, and some parking lot drop boxes are scams. Donating household goods is philanthropy, and just as you would not write a check to scenesarasota.com