To help workers from Goodwill Manasota who have been furloughed due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus disease, Goodwill has received a grant of $33,746 to support the rehiring of five GoodPartner Coaches through the COVID-19 Response Initiative, a joint effort of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. These coaches will begin reaching out immediately to the 336 Sarasota-area Goodwill workers who were furloughed in the face of economic losses suffered by the nonprofit organization due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With its retail stores closed and potential losses of $3 million each month while no revenue is coming in, Goodwill Manasota has furloughed 604 of its team members. One of the biggest concerns for the organization at this time is taking care of those who have been furloughed: more than 80% of Goodwill's team members have a self-identified disadvantaging condition or disability. To help guide and counsel its workforce, Goodwill provides each of its employees with a designated GoodPartner Coach (GPC), who offers mentoring and coaching services to help team members succeed on the job and reach their career and life goals.

Through the funding provided through the COVID-19 Response Initiative, the GPC program has been reinstated to assist the team members and families who need it most. The GPCs will provide a one-on-one connection to give or offer a connection to the resources that team members may need on an individualized basis, including mental health, food, shelter, physical health and utilities assistance. The GPCs will also assist employees in coming up with short- and long-term goals during and beyond the pandemic.

“Our core mission is to provide education, training and career services – as well as jobs with Goodwill – so that those with barriers to employment can feel the pride of a paycheck and move toward financial stability," said Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky. "Having to furlough 85% of our workforce during this crisis is the most heartbreaking action I've had to take over the course of my 48-year career. Thanks to the generous grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation COVID-19 Response Initiative, we will be able to hire back five of our GoodPartner Coaches. The Goodwill GoodPartner Coaches are the safety net for our team members; they will now be able to reach out, provide counsel, and offer connections to crucial social services for our 336 Sarasota-area furloughed team members in this time of need."

Goodwill continues to accept donations of gently-used items at select attended donation centers - while observing social distancing recommendations - every day between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, in preparation for the day when stores can safely re-open. Goodwill is also collecting non-perishable food donations for organizations that serve those in need in our community, including Turning Points and the Food Bank of Manatee. Visit its website (experiencegoodwill.org) for a list of available donation centers.

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