Goodwill Recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sarasota, Florida; Bradenton, Florida (PRWEB) September 23, 2014 -- National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 – October 15, 2014; Goodwill Manasota is proud to serve this area’s Hispanic community through a variety of programs and services geared toward helping them to achieve economic stability through career success.
A growing number of Americans identify themselves as Hispanic: an estimated 55 million Americans identify as Hispanic or Latino. That’s an increase of 30 percent over the 2000 Census, which counted the nation’s Hispanic population at 35.3 million.
In 2013, the 165 local Goodwill agencies in the U.S. and Canada helped 225,925 people of Hispanic origin with services geared toward helping them gain job skills and earn meaningful employment. Since Goodwill’s beginnings in 1902, the organization’s tradition of building customized employment services extends to the Hispanic community, to help them navigate the special challenges they have to finding jobs and building their careers.
Goodwill Manasota provides English as a second language courses (ESOL) as well as specialized courses in computer literacy, GED training and American civics and citizenship. Additionally, of Goodwill Manasota’s 797 employees, 134 have self-identified as Hispanic.
“Goodwill has trained millions of people through employment services, job training and community-based programs,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Locally, our Goodwill is one of the few nonprofit organizations offering specialized employment services to the Hispanic community. We’re also proud of the great work our Hispanic team members do each and every day as we work to break down the barriers to employment for many in our region.”
Goodwill values diversity and welcomes people of all ethnicities and nationalities to take advantage of its job training programs and community services, to help them find jobs and experience the pride and independence that work brings.
“Just as our founder, Edgar Helms, opened Goodwill’s doors to new Americans in Boston, Goodwill will always be a welcoming place for Hispanics, helping them find ways to build their economic security,” said Rosinsky. “Goodwill is especially equipped to help them face challenges, from language and literacy, education and work skills, and change their lives through the power of work.”
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2013, we served more than 16,000 people, placed 537 people in jobs and assisted 329 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 37 million pounds out of the landfill. For more information, visit EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG.
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Kelly Davis Strausbaugh, Goodwill Industries International, http://www.experiencegoodwill.org, +1 941.228.3022, [email protected]
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