GoodPartner Coach Program Receives $65K Grant to Transform 800+ Lives | Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota’s GoodPartner Coach Program Receives $65,000 Grant from The Ralph S. French Charitable Foundation

For the 14th consecutive year, The Ralph S. French Charitable Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to workforce development by awarding a $65,000 grant to Goodwill Manasota’s GoodPartner Coach program. This sustained partnership, totaling over $910,000 in cumulative support since 2011, underscores the foundation’s dedication to creating pathways to self-sufficiency in Southwest Florida.

The Ralph S. French Charitable Foundation: A Legacy of Impact

Established in 1991, The Ralph S. French Charitable Foundation has been a cornerstone of philanthropic support for Florida nonprofits, with a particular focus on:

• Workforce development initiatives

• Education access programs

• Barrier removal for underserved populations

The foundation’s multi-year support of Goodwill’s GoodPartner Coach program aligns perfectly with its mission. “We invest in programs that create measurable, long-term change,” said a foundation representative. “Goodwill’s ability to help individuals overcome systemic barriers exemplifies the kind of initiative we prioritize.”

How the Grant Powers the GoodPartner Coach Program

With 70% of Goodwill’s 1000+ employees facing barriers to employment, the $65,000 grant directly supports:

1. One-on-One Coaching

   • Each of Goodwill’s 823 participating employees receives biweekly sessions with a dedicated GoodPartner Coach

   • Coaches help set personalized goals for career growth and stability

2. Education Advancement

   • In 2024, employees earned:

     • 22 GEDs (progress toward the 2025 goal of 35)

     • 8 college degrees (including bachelor’s and master’s)

   • 35 team members enrolled in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes

3. Certification Programs

   • 170 employees achieved Role Model Worker status in 2024

   • 30 team members are currently enrolled in college or certification courses

Transformative Outcomes in 2024

The program’s success is reflected in these measurable results:

• 75% retention rate for employees participating in coaching

• 45 educational milestones achieved (GEDs and degrees)

• 100% of participants set and worked toward at least one life/work goal

“These numbers represent real people rebuilding their lives,” said Margie Genter, VP of Mission Services. “One employee paying off debt, another moving into stable housing – that’s the power of sustained philanthropic investment.”

Employee Success Story: Paunyne Xavier’s Journey

Paunyne Xavier’s 17-year evolution from entry-level employee to GoodPartner Coach embodies the program’s impact:

• 2008: Hired as a retail associate

• 2012: Promoted to team lead after completing employability skills training

• 2018: Earned her GED through program support

• 2021: Advanced to assistant manager while taking business courses

• 2025: Achieved her goal of becoming a GoodPartner Coach

“The coaches didn’t just help me succeed at work – they helped me believe in myself,” Xavier shared. “Now I get to provide that same support to others.”

Looking Ahead: 2025 Program Goals

With the French Foundation’s continued support, Goodwill aims to:

• Serve all 800+ team members with personalized coaching

• Achieve 75% 90-day retention for new hires

• Support 35 employees in earning GEDs

• Graduate 35 participants from ESOL classes

• Enroll 30 team members in college/certification programs

• Certify 170 new Role Model Workers

A Partnership That Changes Lives

The Ralph S. French Charitable Foundation’s consistent funding has enabled Goodwill to:

• Maintain program continuity through economic fluctuations

• Expand services to meet growing community needs

• Document long-term success stories like Xavier’s

“Philanthropy isn’t about one-time gifts,” emphasized Genter. “It’s about partners like the French Foundation walking alongside us year after year to create lasting change.”

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About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. In 2024 alone, Goodwill:

• Served 7,000+ individuals

• Placed 1,563 people in jobs

• Assisted 463 veterans

• Diverted 98.4 million pounds from landfills

For more information, visit experiencegoodwill.org/impact