In advance of its annual Community Ambassador of the Year Awards Dinner on October 17, Goodwill Manasota has announced Suzanne Ottomanelli – a very special employee who has overcome significant challenges and, thanks to a crucial community partnership, gotten her life and career back on track – as its 2018 Team Member of the Year. Ottomanelli became addicted to cocaine, experiencing two overdoses and an arrest; the death of her sister due to an overdose motivated her to get her life back on track. Thanks to a partnership of Learn to Fish Recovery and Goodwill Manasota, she is continuing her recovery, has enjoyed stable employment and a steady income for the past year, has regained her self-esteem, and reconnected fully with her family and faith. 

“Goodwill has helped me to support my natural skills and talents, and allowed me to reconnect to the things I cared about before drugs took them away,” said Ottomanelli. “Thanks to Learn to Fish Recovery and Goodwill, I have my life back. Goodwill is an amazing company – I hope to work here for a long time.”

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