Pictured: Recent JobsPlus Language program graduates Lazara Munoz Jimenez (left) and Lisbeth Leal Suarez with JobsPlus Language program manager Natalie Caukwell (center) Provided photo/Goodwill Manasota.

When Goodwill Manasota was the recipient of an unexpected $10 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in December of 2020, the organization wasted little time expanding existing programs and adding select new ones. One such new program is JobsPlus Language, which assists those who speak little to no English with employment, the opportunity to learn and practice English on-the-clock, and a family-sustaining career path. Goodwill recently celebrated the first two graduates of the JPL program, Lisbeth Leal Suarez and Lazara Munoz Jimenez. In the short time they've been employed by Goodwill - both started in November of 2022 - they have gained significant English fluency, become Role Model workers, and been promoted to better-paying positions. They are a living testament to the value of investing in workers, which benefits the company/organization in terms of productivity and loyalty/retention, and the team members being given the opportunity to boost their work and life prospects.

Pictured: Recent JobsPlus Language program graduates Lazara Munoz Jimenez (left) and Lisbeth Leal Suarez with JobsPlus Language program manager Natalie Caukwell (center) Provided photo/Goodwill Manasota.