During the recent Special Olympics at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, three Goodwill Manasota employees earned medals: Sharon Wirth and Louis Amico won a silver medal for doubles tennis, and Doug Johnson won silver for the 800-meter run and a bronze in shot put. Wirth was also presented with the Special Inspirational Athlete Award for Sarasota County. Wirth, Amico and Johnson are employed through Goodwill’s Supported JobsPlus program, which was implemented in 2005. This program supports employment for team members with significant disabilities, who face much higher rates of unemployment than those without disabilities. Through partnerships with agencies throughout Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties, individuals who have been unsuccessful obtaining employment elsewhere and have a desire to work are referred to Goodwill. GoodPartner coaches provide team members with disabilities with job training and case management services, to help ensure they have the tools they need to succeed. More than 12 percent of Goodwill Manasota’s 800-employee workforce has some type of disability or significant barrier to self-sufficiency.

Goodwill Manasota