Goodwill Manasota, in partnership with Manatee Reads!, hosts a free weekly English as a Second Language (ESOL) class at its corporate campus where community members, Goodwill team members, Veterans Services Program participants, and Job Connection clients are able to develop their English skills. As part of the current curriculum, instructor Verna Urbanski encouraged her adult learners to submit essays for the Florida Literacy Coalition’s 2016 adult learner essay book, Going Places. Three of the students’ essays were selected for publication. 

At the opening general session on May 4, the keynote speaker, John Cocoran, author of The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read, inspired the adult learners ranging in age from 41-66 years old with his story of how he did not learn to read until he was 50 years old. Following Cocoran’s speech, many of the adult learners were invited to present their essays. Leonard Snyder proudly stepped up to the podium and read his essay "Controlling My Destiny," aloud to the audience. "When individuals learn how to read, write, do basic math and use computer, they have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, and find and keep sustainable employment, and – ultimately – change their lives," says Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky.

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