From Goodwill Industries of Central Florida
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida (GICF) is celebrating the continued success of its “Goodwill Scholars” initiative. This fall, 96 employees are heading to Florida universities and schools to continue their education and develop skills that will support their professional careers.
In 2021, GICF launched the Prosperity Planning Platform, which offers one-on-one coaching to help Goodwill team members and community neighbors identify their goals and access resources to achieve them. A year later, the organization bolstered that program by introducing “Goodwill Scholars,” a new employee scholarship program that fully pre-pays all costs related to education, including tuition, books, and fees. The program is available to all part-time and full-time employees who have at least 90 days of continuous employment.
Since launching in May 2022, the “Goodwill Scholars” program has supported 242 employees with $450,000 in tuition assistance. In the first half of 2024, the program achieved an 8% participation rate, compared to the 2% annual average nationally. Forty scholars have finished their studies completely, 79 have successfully completed at least one semester of an English as a second language program, and 90% of current participants are frontline staff.
“Goodwill is all about ‘Building Lives that Work,’ and part of that mission is to empower every one of our employees to succeed and achieve their goals – wherever those goals lead them.,” said Ed Durkee, President and CEO. “As another semester begins, we’re committed to supporting our Goodwill Scholars every step of the way.”
In the spring of 2024, six employees earned degrees or certificates from four-year universities or community colleges. Among them are Taylor Hempel, who graduated from Daytona State College with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management and Tetiana Mokhun earned her optician certification from the University of Central Florida. Jessica Thondik received the Society of Human Resource Management Certified Professional credential.
To learn more about Goodwill, browse current job openings, or fill out an application, visit www.GoodwillCFL.org.
For 65 years, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida has provided vocational and job placement services to tens of thousands of people living in Central Florida. Through 31 retail/outlet stores and 18 Donation Xpress locations in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Volusia counties, Goodwill diverted nearly 24 million pounds of clothing and household items from landfills in 2023. Goodwill Industries of Central Florida directly channels more than 90 percent of its annual revenue into programs that enable individuals to secure meaningful employment, achieve their personal goals and thrive economically.
