Goodwill Receives Funding to Bolster Financial Literacy for Workers

June 9, 2021 – Sarasota

One of the key mission goals of Goodwill Manasota is to provide employment as well as on-the-job educational opportunities and job skills training so that team members who may have barriers to employment can enjoy success on the job and strengthen their families. In recognition of these efforts, United Way Suncoast recently made a community investment of $55,000 to Goodwill to support its GoodPartner Coach program.

The GoodPartner Coach program provides individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment with case management services and employability skills training. Of Goodwill’s 700 employees, 65% have a self-identified disability or disadvantage – including a lack of financial literacy skills. The goal of the grant from United Way Suncoast is to serve 100 Goodwill team members through needs assessments, plan development, and an assessment of employability skills. Financial literacy is a key component of the GoodPartner Coach program. Every Goodwill Manasota employee is assigned a GoodPartner Coach. 

Employees who need financial literacy support develop, with the assistance of their GoodPartner Coach, a personal budget; unbanked team members receive assistance setting up a bank account. One-on-one budgeting classes and online budgeting classes are also available to team members who need extra assistance in this area. Additionally, employees who need help improving their credit scores and/or purchasing their first home can receive assistance through Goodwill’s Homebuyer’s Club.

“A lack of financial literacy skills is a major barrier for many of our team members,” said Margie Genter, vice president of mission services for Goodwill Manasota. “Thanks to the generous grant from United Way Suncoast, we can continue to provide important guidance and support to help employees achieve financial stability and get on the path to career and life success.”

For more information about the GoodPartner Coach program, call (941) 355-2721 or go to experiencegoodwill.org.