Goodwill Manasota has worked for many years to support veterans and their families – as well as the families of service members on active duty – through jobs, free career services, connections to social services, and networking opportunities. The nonprofit has now revamped its Veterans Services program, expanding access from its former north Sarasota headquarters on University Parkway to multiple locations throughout the region.
The Veterans Services program is now available at all six of Goodwill’s Community Resource Centers in Sarasota, Bradenton, North Port and Arcadia. Each location is staffed by a member of the Veterans Services team.
The University Parkway location – the former Veterans Services headquarters – enjoyed a grand reopening on Sept. 1 as the University Community Resource Center. At this location, veterans and community members can receive “Job Connection” career services, such as job search assistance, resume and cover letter writing, and interview skills training; referrals to external community resources; financial literacy training; and more.
“Ease of access to resources for veterans and their families is critical and Goodwill Manasota is excited about this expansion,” said Goodwill Manasota’s VP of Mission Services Margie Genter. “We are dedicated to providing whatever a veteran might need: career services, opportunities to network with others who understand their potential challenges, emergency financial assistance, and connections to resources to assist with housing, food and transportation.”
Goodwill’s Veterans Services program works to address challenges facing veterans and their families as well as the families of service members on active duty, focusing on providing comprehensive case management and vocational services. The Veterans Services team works to eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services and networking opportunities. The overall goal of the program is to help veterans reintegrate into their families, communities and jobs.
“Our Veterans Task Force will continue to examine ways that we can increase access and refine program offerings to assist veterans with the reintegration into their communities and the job market as effectively as possible,” Genter said.
Networking programs
Popular networking programs will continue under the program’s new format. The the weekly VA Coffee Social gatherings are taking place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon at Goodwill’s Community Resource Center on University Parkway (8490 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota). The Lutz Buddy Up social club will continue its monthly programs in Sarasota and Venice, with Goodwill providing funding to the Lutz Live to Tell Foundation as well as team members to assist at these events.
Goodwill Manasota’s former Veterans Services program manager, Todd Hughes, was recently hired by the Lutz Live to Tell Foundation to serve as its first president and CEO. His ascension from a regional to national role showcases the effectiveness of Goodwill’s mission of “Changing Lives Through the Power of Work.” Goodwill Manasota leaders are happy that Hughes is continuing to be involved with efforts to improve the lives of veterans in theregion in his new role.
For more information about Goodwill’s Veterans Services program, visit experiencegoodwill.org/veteransservices or call 941-355-2721.
Submitted by Sharon Kunkel
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Goodwill Manasota expands access to Veterans Services program to all six Resource Centers
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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