Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc

Re-entry services & cafeteria - goodwill - suncoast operates residential re-entry programs to help offenders return to productive lives through career planning, training and placement, substance abuse counseling, life skills, ged and financial literacy classes. Goodwill - suncoast supports this program through a fully operational cafeteria providing 3 meals per day, total clients served were 794. Here is a story of one of the many people served in served in the re-entry services & cafeteria program: cyntina learned early on the values of leadership and compassion-gifts passed down from her mother and grandmother, both of whom had been beacons of hope and healing. It would be that leadership and compassion that helped her through challenging times. Her journey through life was marked by struggles and setbacks that lead to her being imprisoned on three separate occasions. The first two stints were brief, just a few months each, but the third was a harsh reality: fifteen long years with no chance for early release. The day she started her sentence was a day marked by faces hardened by time and circumstance; she avoided eye contact as she entered. "looking around at all these people, i didn't respond to anyone who said hi or anything. I just looked down or away." yet even in those first dark moments, cyntina's leadership and compassion began to provided her safe harbor. And as the days passed, she started to connect with others, finding solace in the stories of fellow inmates and the guidance of prison staff. Her interactions with the "lifers her ability to listen provided a new perspective for herself, and those around her. Determined to make the most of her time, she pursued her ged with fervor, driven by a newfound sense of purpose. "i needed to mature," she would later reflect, recognizing that the long sentence had given her the time to evolve and overcome mistakes from her past. Cyntina embraced education, work, and spirituality with a resolve that metaphorically changed her environment to one more resembling a university than prison; the walls of her confinement became a backdrop for personal growth. Cyntina's next step in her transformation back into the world came through the suncoast re-entry program; she was excited to continue her growth at a re-entry facility that placed importance on lifelong learning. Once again, cyntina's faith in herself, bolstered by the support of the entire re-entry team, has given her strength to face each day with courage and determination. Cyntina has overcome her fear of being in the real world, taking city buses to her job at burger king, and she's making the most of her time by continuing to improve herself. Cyntina has obtained a certified nursing assistant, home health aide, and med tech certificates while participating in the program at goodwill - suncoast. She plans to start emt training in january after release. Cyntina's vision for her future is clear: to build a new life where she can be present for her grandchildren, a commitment born from her desire to make up for the time she lost with her own children. "when i finish my time at suncoast in december, i'm going to live with my family and keep my job at burger king until i can find a nursing position." in every step she's taken, cyntina has carried with her the legacy of her mother and grandmother, the strength of her 17 brothers (yes, 17), and the unwavering faith that had guided her through her darkest times. Her story will not just be one of redemption but a beacon of hope for anyone facing their own trials, proving that with faith, resilience, and support, transformation is possible.

Mission service programs - goodwill - suncoast helps people secure training, find jobs, become more independent, and support their families through a variety of programs including job connection services, employment training and internships, youth development services, service coordination for housing residents, financial literacy for youth, and free gowns for young women who may not be able to afford them, offered with career services. These programs assist individuals with disabilities as well as those who face other disadvantages such as lack of training or education. Total people served: 77,422. Here is a story of one of the many people served in mission services: nick, a formidable entrepreneur with an eye for what sells, and the drive to sell it. Since beginning his service journey with the junior ambassadors of goodwill - suncoast during the summer of 2022, nick has logged 200 hours in support of the goodwill - suncoast mission, earning a sterling student service award and silver ambassador pin last summer. Nick will return to dedicate more of his time in the jag summer program; having already logged more than the maximum required 100 hours for the florida bright futures scholarship. Nick certainly is a stand-out among the crowd. In the spirit of lifelong learning and the power of work, nick has put what he's learned being a jag volunteer into practice. Nick observed our outlet store resellers and now has established a successful online resale vintage clothing business himself. Pulling inspiration from fellow young entrepreneurs at the gandy outlet, nick continues to find success and can be found there most weekends and school holidays. Looking to pay it forward, nick has shared his learnings as he recruits friends to become junior ambassadors of goodwill - suncoast as well. Nick's sharing of jag extends beyond peers to his family-they supported the junior ambassador of goodwill - suncoast program with a substantial monetary gift at the end of calendar year 2023. Simply said, nick is a champion of community service. Nick's maturity and professionalism led to an invitation to speak at the st. Petersburg rotary in february this year. Nick shared his jag service journey with the crowd and impressed them with his knowledge of the goodwill - suncoast mission and the importance of giving back. This summer, nick will represent the st. Petersburg rotary and goodwill - suncoast at the week-long s4tl, seminar for tomorrow's leaders, hosted by rotary at florida southern college in lakeland, fl. Nick was chosen to be one of the two representatives.we here at goodwill - suncoast are so pleased to have been part of nick's journey as he paves his way to what we're sure will be a successful future.