Goodwill Manasota, Turning Points partner on donations pilot program

Goodwill Manasota and Turning Points are working together on a donations pilot program through which Goodwill is providing manpower for the Turning Points donations center and supplementing high-demand items for Turning Points to distribute to its clients.

Under this program, which began in March, Goodwill team members are staffing the Turning Points donation site, which is now open Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm. Goodwill is also supplementing the inventory of most-needed items Turning Points has available to distribute to its clients from its own donations, and redistributing donations made to Turning Points that are not needed but that Goodwill can sell in its retail stores, supporting the cost of staffing the Turning Points donations center.

“Our donation center was staffed primarily by one volunteer and, when that volunteer was forced to step down due to a family situation, our professional staff was required to cover, taking them away from their responsibilities. With the assistance of Goodwill, we are able to keep the donation center open for more hours daily,” said Turning Points executive director Adell Erozer. “As an added benefit, we have been able to request from Goodwill certain items such as jeans, children’s clothes or socks – which we’re chronically short on – from Goodwill ensure the best possible selection of items at our clothing closets, which provide free clothes to clients and their families.”

Turning Points is a nonprofit serving Manatee County that works to help those who are at risk of homelessness to remain in their homes, and those who are already homeless to get on the path to financial stability. The organization provides day resource services such as hot showers, clothing and food, housing and utility assistance programs, life skills training, social service assistance, free medical and dental education and services, and more at the Bill Galvano One Stop Center in Bradenton. Included at this site is a Goodwill Job Connection office, which provides free employment services.

“This partnership is a win-win for our organizations,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We augment the inventory of items that Turning Points needs for its clients, and haul away and sell items they don’t. We provide skilled labor so that this fine organization can focus on its mission of providing services to men, women and children who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless in Manatee County. We are excited to continue our work together.”

PHOTO IDs:

Margie Genter (left), vice president of mission services for Goodwill, and Turning Points executive director Adell Erozer at the Turning Points donation center

Goodwill team member KK sorts items donated at the Turning Points donation center

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.

###