Goodwill to host classes, offer career services, and hold diaper drive to benefit new mothers and clients of Healthy Start
SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Goodwill Manasota is embarking on a new partnership with the Healthy Start Coalitions of Sarasota and Manatee counties. This partnership will result in additional resources to help newborn children in our community.
Goodwill’s Good Futures Program will now include classes for new mothers in Goodwill community rooms throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. This program will be coordinated by Goodwill Ambassador Jo Rita Stevens, who has volunteered with Goodwill for 45-plus years and been honored by both Goodwill Manasota and Healthy Start of Sarasota County for her dedicated service.
Through its Job Connection program, Goodwill will continue to provide jobs skills training and assist in resume writing and the employment search. The free career services will include one-on-one work with new mothers. Goodwill will also host a diaper drive: the community is encouraged to drop off diapers and wipes to benefit Healthy Start clients at Goodwill donation centers; drop-off locations can be found at experience.goodwill.org/locations.
“In Sarasota and Manatee counties, one in three mothers lacks a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or toddler clean, dry and healthy. No state or federal child safety-net program allocates dollars specifically for the purchase of diapers, not even food stamps,” said Shon Ewens, executive director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. “We are extremely grateful to Goodwill Manasota for helping to create a healthier start for newborn children in the community.”
The average newborn goes through 6-10 diapers daily. An inability to supply clean diapers exposes babies to diaper rash and a variety of infections and impacts the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children and parents.
“When we all leverage and maximize our resources, the community benefits,” said Veronica Brandon Miller, vice president of the Goodwill Manasota Foundation. “Goodwill is thrilled to work with Healthy Start to provide diapers, education, and career services to at-risk families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Every newborn, every family, deserves our support.”
For more information, go to experiencegoodwill.org or call (941) 355-2721 to see how you can help area newborns have a healthy start.
PHOTO ID: Shon Ewens, executive director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County (left) and Veronica Brandon Miller, vice president of Goodwill Manasota
