Neighbor News
Goodwill Manasota to host delegation from Merida, Mexico for Sister Cities event
Representatives of cities of Sarasota and Merida to explore possibilities of collaboration
On April 13, Goodwill Manasota will host representatives from Sister Cities Association of Sarasota, Sarasota government officials, members of the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce, and a delegation from Sarasota’s “Sister City” of Merida, Mexico. The delegation, which will visit from April 12-16, is traveling here to discuss the possibilities for collaboration between the cities of Merida and Sarasota.
Sister Cities president Beth Ruyle is excited for the visit of the delegation from Merida, Sarasota’s newest Sister City. “It was fortunate for Sarasota Sister Cities to send a delegation to Merida in February this year; it is great that the City of Merida is returning the visit,” Ruyle said. “These exchanges provide the opportunity for cities to understand the art, culture, sports, economic development and education of their twinned city.”
During the April 13 reception at the Goodwill Corporate Campus (2705 51st Ave. E., Bradenton), guests will tour the Goodwill Corporate Campus, participate in a meeting together, and then network. Approximately 40-50 are expected to attend, including Sarasota Mayor Willie Shaw, Chief of Police Bernadette DiPino, and representatives from the Latin Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill - including president and CEO Bob Rosinsky. Included in the Merida delegation are government officials from the departments of economic development, municipal public services, urban development, tourism, and the chief of police.
Goodwill Manasota’s director of employment partnerships, Eladio Amores, is a member of Sister Cities who thought that Goodwill would serve as an excellent location for a reception. “I felt it was only fitting that we host our honored guests here,” Amores said. “Goodwill takes great pride in its ability to partner, cooperate and collaborate; these are qualities valued by and necessary for Sister Cities Association of Sarasota as well.”
“Goodwill’s corporate campus houses an International Training Center, where Goodwill teams from all over the world can learn business best practices, and a Job Connection office, where community members can access free employment services,” said Rosinsky. “Our mission is to change lives through the power of work, and when individuals are empowered in the workplace, there are widespread benefits to the economy. Likewise, ‘sister city’ partnerships empower communities and provide mutual economic benefits.”
Sister Cities Association of Sarasota’s mission is to foster warm relationships between Sarasota and international cities that have similar interests by creating exchanges in areas of culture, education, tourism, sports, business and government. Its objective is to develop respect, understanding and cooperation through citizen diplomacy. To accomplish this mission, the organization develops relationships with people in cities that have interests and environments similar to Sarasota’s. Working outside the realm of government, but with its support, SCAS maintains a special focus on areas with significant opportunities to facilitate cultural and educational exchanges, economic partnerships, increased tourism and humanitarian assistance. Current Sister Cities to Sarasota include Hamilton, Province of Ontario, Canada; Dunfermline, Scotland; Perpignan, France; Tel Mond, Israel; Treviso Province, Italy; Vladimir, Russia; Xiamen (Siming District) China; and Merida, Mexico.
PHOTO ID: The Government Palace of Sarasota’s Sister City of Merida, Mexico
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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