Neighbor News
Goodwill Manasota, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida partner on special achievement badge
'Independence Badge' teaches girls about upcycling, helps them to build self-confidence
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Junior Troop 888 recently partnered with Goodwill Manasota while working toward earning the “Independence Badge.” The Girl Scouts, who met at the Community Room at the newest Goodwill retail store in Lakewood Ranch, chose the concept of reinvention for the project. They were given a budget within which they had to stay to purchase items from Goodwill, and then used their design skills to make the items match their own style.
The project, which used the concept of upcycling – the process of converting old or discarded materials into something useful and/or beautiful – fits nicely into Goodwill’s 2015 “Reinvent Yourself” campaign, which aims to showcase how donated items can find new life and new homes, and how community members can reinvent themselves by shopping at Goodwill Manasota. Volunteer troop leader Susan Evans noted that the effort helped the girls to learn about budgeting and about Goodwill, and also more about themselves as they explored their personal styles.
“This was such a great project because the girls learned about why we chose Goodwill, and how just by shopping and donating they are helping to create jobs. They are also forming ideas about their own self-confidence, and this includes their personal styles, which they emphasized through this upcycling process. They also helped save items from landfills and that is a major plus,” said Evans. “We are so grateful to have been able to utilize one of Goodwill’s free community rooms for this project.”
The group of girls included fourth and fifth grade students who are earning leadership badges while learning about important causes such as education, financial self-sufficiency, and community partnerships. The mission of the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
“We are pleased to partner with Goodwill Manasota on this project,” said Susan Stewart, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Many of the organizational values of the Girl Scouts and Goodwill are nicely aligned – a commitment to community, concern for the environment, a dedication self-improvement and to helping others. This project highlights all of those values for our participants.”
Goodwill recently recognized the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida with the “Community Outreach Partner of the Year” award at the 2015 Goodwill Ambassador Recognition Luncheon.
“Goodwill Manasota Community Rooms are offered free of charge to community organizations such as the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, who are working to teach our future leaders about the importance of environmental responsibility, education and employment,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “These young ladies exemplify our Goodwill supporters, shoppers and donors – they see the value of reinventing items through donating and shopping, while building confidence in their own ability to change lives. We are proud to partner with the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, and other local youth-centered organizations, to help build strong foundations for our community.”
PHOTO ID: (Front row, l-r) Emilee Gately, Tyra Jackson, Lauren Costello and Shelby Henry; (middle row, l-r) Beatrix Turner, Caitlin Creaser, Gianna Talerico and troop leader Susan Evans; (back row, l-r) Gianna Woods, Jillian Walker, Brooke Lounds, Christina Beaver and McKinley Evans
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.
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