Pictured: Veterans Services Program team member Randy Wright (left) and Todd Hughes, program manager, with service dog Ghost.

To help support staff positions in the mission-critical areas of career and veterans’ services, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has granted $23,000 to Goodwill Manasota. The grant will fund one Job Connection employee and cover the cost of 1.5 Veterans Services Program team members for two months. This grant will help Goodwill to position itself for increased community needs as the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic continue to be felt.

The Job Connection program is designed to help individuals find employment or transition to better-paying jobs. Community members can benefit from free services such as career counseling, interest and aptitude assessments, assistance with resume and cover letter writing skills, interview strengthening exercises, and application submission guidance. Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program works to help eliminate barriers to employment, provide opportunities for higher-paying positions for veterans and their families, and connect veterans with needed social services. It also offers plentiful networking opportunities and emergency financial assistance – which will be particularly important as already at-risk veterans face COVID-19-related challenges.

Pictured: Veterans Services Program team member Randy Wright (left) and Todd Hughes, program manager, with service dog Ghost.