SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – In alignment with its mission of “Changing Lives Through the Power of Work,” Goodwill Manasota is dedicated to seeking community partners to support its efforts to provide upskilling opportunities for its employees and local residents. Through education and job training, Goodwill works to help individuals become more marketable and more prepared for the current labor market, and assist them in moving toward a self- or family-sustaining wage.

Goodwill has recently forged a new partnership with Manatee Technical College that is enabling Goodwill employees and community members to take GED® Preparation and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Language) classes. These sessions, which take place at Goodwill’s Cortez Community Resource Center (3465 Cortez Rd., Bradenton), started on September 5 and are offered Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.

As part of the agreement, MTC is providing all instructors, course materials, and digital devices as needed, and providing referrals for Goodwill’s free employment services (when appropriate and/or requested).

Goodwill will be responsible for providing classroom and locking storage spaces at the  Cortez Community Resource Center location as well as all other logistical needs, and make referrals to the GED® Preparation and ESOL classes.

"As a leading organization in workforce development, Goodwill is committed to investing in our own team members as well as the community at large, so that all have the opportunity to enjoy work and life success,” said Goodwill Manasota vice president Margie Genter. “We are so thrilled to have a partner like Manatee Technical College to help our employees and community members to gain expertise, build skills and thrive in their roles – or ascend to new ones.”

Visit  manateetech.edu to learn more. For more information about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org.

Photo ID: Goodwill Manasota team members (from l-r) Eliodoro Jorge Moreno, Lidia Crespo Aleman and Leonor Lopez participating in an ESOL class

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.

About Manatee Technical College
Manatee Technical College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. MTC has three campuses within the School District of Manatee County and offers close to 50 career preparation programs, continuing education, and adult general education. The mission of MTC is to produce highly skilled individuals and resourceful leaders through collaborative education to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities and the workforce.