Studies have shown that, by 2020, approximately two-thirds of all jobs in the U.S. economy will require post-secondary education and training and that the U.S. will fall short of the need by 5 million workers with post-secondary education. Understanding that education is critical to achieving future success, Goodwill Manasota is now expanding the educational opportunities for community members seeking a better future. In 2015, Goodwill Manasota launched the Rick and Coni Fawley Scholarship Fund, to help Goodwill team members who do not have a high school diploma earn their GED. In 2017, the program was expanded to clients of Goodwill’s free career services program, Job Connection. This year, with the help of Mike Bryant, Rick Fawley’s longtime friend and business partner, Goodwill has expanded the program to include free certification from Manatee Technical College once a GED has been earned. The free certification opportunity is available to all who complete their GED through the Fawley Scholarship Fund as well as Goodwill team members who already have their diploma or GED.

Goodwill Manasota