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Darleen Zimmerman, Principal |
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MESSAGE FROM GOODWILL CEO
Dear Parents:
Education with a first job committment.
From the largest private provider of job training and placement services in the country – Goodwill.
For over 100 years, Goodwill has developed a variety of opportunities for people with disabilities. In Sarasota, we’re combining that experience with an academic curriculum and our commitment to your son or daughter’s success – in school, at work and in life.
We have the same goals for your child’s future that you have: opportunity, success and independence. And we have the experience and expertise to make it happen.
Goodwill Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school breaking new ground in the field of education for developmentally delayed individuals.
Enrollment is limited so call now for an appointment to meet our Principal and faculty and learn more about how this school and Goodwill can change your child’s life.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Donald L. Roberts
President/CEO
Goodwill Industries-Manasota, Inc
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents:
During my 30 plus years of working in the field of special education, I have seen firsthand the substantial challenges to success in school and work faced by young people with disabilities.
I joined the Goodwill Academy because I believe the concept of coupling a special education with a first job committment can remove barriers to independence.
Upon graduation, your son or daughter will have the confidence, life skills, vocational training and work history required for a successful transition into adulthood. And a job guarantee.
Please call me to arrange for a tour of our school, and to discuss your particular areas of interest and concern. I look forward to partnering with you to change your son’s or daughter’s life.
Sincerely,
Darleen Zimmerman
Principal
The Goodwill Academy
OUR FIRST JOB COMMITMENT
As graduation nears, each student works with a job developer to prepare for appropriate post-graduation employment. Following graduation, we place each graduate into their first job as soon as practical, either within Goodwill or elsewhere in the community. Employment at Goodwill is subject to the organization’s published policies and procedures.
OUR APPROACH
The Goodwill Academy:
- Offers a wide range of enriching activities to meet the needs of each student
- Focuses on building a strong and balanced foundation of academic, life, social, and vocational skills for each student
- Offers developmentally appropriate materials and environments
- Provides a safe and secure environment
- Conducts regular Quality Assurance audits and parent surveys
- Offers open communication with parents in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect
- Provides post-graduation job-placement services through Goodwill's
- Job Connection program.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, a student must:
- Be a Sarasota County resident
- Be 16 to 21 years of age at the time of enrollment
- Have a developmental disability
- Be entering grades 9 to 12 and seeking a Special Diploma Option 1 or 2 or post graduate who has met the requirements for a Special Diploma.
The Goodwill Academy will use a random lottery selection process to select applicants if the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available.
CURRICULUM
The Goodwill Academy curriculum combines functional academic instruction with hands-on vocational training designed to help students prepare for post-school employment, post-secondary education and independent living.
The curriculum is highly individualized and involves the collaboration of Academy staff with students and their parents to ensure that each student is making progress towards their personalized goals and objectives. Activities are based on each individual student’s needs, preferences and interests.
The curriculum is designed to encourage self-reliance, determination, economic independence, and gainful employment.
COURSES INCLUDE:
Life Skills
CommunicationAcademic Skills for Functional Living
Reading
Math
Health and Safety
Career Education
Life Management and Transition
Communication SkillsExploratory Education
Personal and Home Skills
Leisure and Recreation Skills
Community and Social Skills
Cognitive and Linguistic Skills
Life Sustaining and Environmental Interaction Skills
Leisure/Recreation Skills for Improvement of Quality of Life
Developmental-Functional Motor and Sensory Skills
Job Preparatory EducationVocational Training
Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Career Preparation
Career Experiences
Career Placement
Supported Competitive Employment
Hands-On Vocational Exploration and Training at Goodwill or other community employers – supported by a Job Coach.
ABOUT GOODWILL
Goodwill Industries-Manasota is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, founded in Sarasota in 1969 as a member of Goodwill Industries International, Inc. The organization serves Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties with job training and placement programs, educational and housing services as well as the collection and sale of donated goods.
We currently employ 450 people – many of whom use their job at Goodwill as a launching pad to other employment; learning the world of work, acquiring job skills, compiling a work history and using our placement services to change their lives.
Goodwill-Manasota operates 33 locations throughout our service area –23 of which are located in Sarasota County.
Our vocational programs are certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and our counseling services are certified by the Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Don Roberts, Member and Chairman of the Board
President and Chief Executive Officer
Goodwill Industries-Manasota, Inc.
Janice Mee, Member and Secretary of the Board
Former Sarasota County School Board Member
Rick Smith, Member and Treasurer of the Board
Partner
Christopher, Smith, Leonard, Bristow & Stanell, P.A.
Robert A. Morris, Member
President and Chief Executive Officer
Ramar Group Companies, Inc.
Documents
Darleen Zimmerman, Principal
3105 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: 941.487.3990
Fax: 941.487.3997
E-Mail: darleen.zimmerman@gimi.org