Goodwill Manasota and Habitat for Humanity Help Place Veterans in Homes
Goodwill Manasota and Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County have joined forces to provide housing for veterans and their families. The collaboration is helping veterans throughout south Sarasota County, in areas including Osprey, Laurel, Nokomis, Venice, North Port and Englewood.
“Veterans have a sense of security when they are in the service but for many, after they leave, that’s all gone. They go from having a job and a place to stay to having nothing,” said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “So this partnership is about providing veterans with the basics to send them on the road to self-sufficiency,” he said.
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Veterans and their families can face many challenges during the transition from military life to civilian life, and may struggle with finding employment as well as affordable housing.
"Typically, veterans aren't accustomed to reaching out and asking for help so this collaboration is another avenue to engage veterans and their families in need of homes," said Judith Wilcox, Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County Executive Director. "Owning a home is the American dream, and we are here to assist to make that dream come true.”
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By working together, Goodwill Manasota and Habitat for Humanity hope to reach a wider range of veterans looking for help, and can then advise them of all of the services available at both agencies, which in many cases complement each other. For example, Habitat for Humanity offers veterans assistance with new homes and home repairs as part of its mission to help veterans and their families in need. In addition, Habitat South County has both homeowners and volunteers who are veterans and who work together through partnerships in South County to build safe, affordable housing for military members. These vets can then benefit from Goodwill’s free homebuyer education classes. The average customer undergoes 12 to 18 months of counseling before they are ready to buy a home. In 2013, Goodwill served more than 330 veterans.
Both organizations promote self-sufficiency and provide valuable services to the veteran community. “This partnership is truly an excellent example of collaborating to make it easier for people in need to receive services. We are eliminating the red tape, and working together to make sure our veterans get exactly what they need from two organizations working together as one,” said Rosinsky.
For more information please contact:
Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County Home of Veterans: 941. 439.6606 x 229.
Goodwill Manasota America Veterans & their Families Initiative: 941.359.0520 x299.
About Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County
Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that builds or renovates and sells houses to qualified low-income families, seniors and veterans who want to become homeowners. Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Inc. serves the communities of Venice, Osprey, Laurel, Nokomis, Englewood and North Port. www.habitatsouthsarasota.org
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. 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. For more than 110 years, Goodwill has provided opportunities through such programs as Donated Goods Employment Services, Job Connection, JobsPlus, Supported JobsPlus, HomeBuyer’s Club, Mission Development Services, White Glove Services, Good Neighbor Program and Ambassadors Program. Goodwill continues to assist people with disabilities and barriers to opportunity by changing lives through the power of work. Goodwill Manasota, Inc. is legally organized under the laws of the United States and the State of Florida. We are 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 EXPERIENCEGOODWILL.ORG.
