Our Mission: Committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to achieve independence. | |
Annual Breakthrough Awards
Join us for the Annual Breakthrough Award ceremony at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center on Friday, May 30, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. The event recognizes individuals and businesses who have advanced the Goodwill Mission throughout the prior year.
Due to the event’s popularity, it was moved to a larger venue this year to accommodate the number of guests. The Caloosa Sound Convention Center is located in Downtown Fort Myers at 1375 Monroe St, Fort Myers. The event includes a plated dinner, a silent auction, and videos of each honoree.
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Goodwill SWFL on Capitol Hill
Several of our Goodwill team connected with nearly 300 lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill on May 1st.
Ashley Price, our Director of Development, and Angela Hemstreet, our Director of Employment Services, visited Senator Ashley Moody's office where they discussed the importance of Goodwill SWFL's employment training and services, and partnerships with organizations that help reentering for individuals coming out of the judicial system.
Multi-Year funding for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) is imperative to support programs like Goodwills and others that support job seekers nationwide.
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2025 APEX Awards
We are proud to announce that our Chief Mission and Development Officer, Carolyn Johnson, is one of five finalists for the APEX Award by the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.
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This award recognizes women who demonstrate exemplary achievements in business and community service, including outstanding leadership, mentorship, and philanthropic contributions.
Carolyn has dedicated more than 27 years to Goodwill, providing visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission of empowering individuals through the power of work. Her nomination is a testament to her significant impact on our organization and the wider Southwest Florida community.
We congratulate Carolyn on this well-deserved recognition and celebrate her ongoing commitment to professional excellence and community engagement.
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SWFL INCredible Awards
Goodwill SWFL proudly attended the SWFL INCredible Awards where we were nominated as Nonprofit of the Year. The nominations were submitted by the community and winners were selected by committee and announced at the May 13th annual awards event.
"Being nominated for Best Non-Profit among such a thriving Southwest Florida community was truly special," states Ashley Price, Goodwill SWFL's Director of Development. "Congratulations to all the award recipients and fellow nominees! We're inspired by the collective impact in our region!"
| | From L to R: Ashley Price, Dir. of Development; Doug Stewart,COO; Carolyn Johnson, CMO; Skip Mitchell, BOD; and John Nadeau, President & CEO. | | | |
Best Buddies Friendship Walk
Pathways to Opportunity staff and members of our Mission staff, including Goodwill SWFL Chief Mission Officer Carolyn Johnson, were out this past Saturday helping our friends at Best Buddies!
Our team showed up for their Friendship Walk on May 3rd, supporting inclusion, friendship, and community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Let’s hear it for inclusion, SWFL!
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"If you are inspired by the services we provide our SWFL community and would like to get involved in transforming lives, contact, Ashley Price, Director of Development, at ashleyprice@goodwillswfl.org. | | |
New West Cape United Way Resiliency Hub
On April 29th, we celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the new Cape Coral United Way Resiliency Hub at our West Cape Goodwill (1499 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral). The new Resiliency Hub will be co-located with the Goodwill Community Resource Center (CRC).
Angela Hemstreet, Goodwill SWFL's Director of Employment Services explains, “In March, Goodwill was invited for this CRC location to become a Resiliency Hub, and we are happy to have it added to the local directory of UW Resiliency Hubs."
UW Resiliency Hubs serve as a one-stop-shop where individuals and families can receive wrap-around social services from multiple community organizations. They have provided 524,000 services in Lee, Hendry and Glades counties, and in times of disaster, serve as distribution sites for tarps, water and other emergency needs. Additional social service agencies are also expected to take up residence at the new location.
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Mr. Rudni T. came to the Goodwill Lehigh Community Resource Center with a clear goal: to find a job close to home. He attended one of the center’s Employability Workshops, where he learned how to craft a marketable résumé, search online for jobs, and practice interview skills.
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Rudni found that the workshop provided just the help he needed, and he applied to several jobs that same day.
He stayed proactive, regularly checking the center’s job listings. Soon, his dedication paid off—he was hired by a business near his home.
Committed to his professional growth, Rudni continues to visit the center to learn about computer classes, new job opportunities, and job fairs.
Rudni shared how much he values the welcoming environment and excellence of service at Lehigh CRC. He especially appreciated the help of Sheila, the Coordinator, noting:
"You can tell Sheila truly enjoys her job—she always does her best to assist everyone with a bright smile." - Rudni T.
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When Alejandro arrived at Goodwill’s Lehigh Community Resource Center, he was overwhelmed by the digital job search process. New to the U.S. and unfamiliar with technology, he struggled with resumes and online applications. That changed after he attended Goodwill's Employability Workshop, where he learned how to build a professional resume, navigate job search websites, and practice interview skills.
With guidance from Coordinator, Sheila, Alejandro created a strong resume and applied to Goodwill —he got the job! He continued visiting the center to learn to use tools like Microsoft Teams and to complete HR paperwork, gaining both skills and confidence with each visit.
Alejandro shared with the coordinator how grateful he was for the support he received, and how he’s now sharing with others that Goodwill can offer this same support and guidance in their skilling and employment journeys!
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The League Club Supports Goodwill Mobile Services in Collier County
The League Club awarded $30,000 to support Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s Mobile Community Resource Center. The Mobile Resource Center travels to communities where transportation would otherwise be a barrier to receiving training and services.
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$10K Grant from United Way of Collier and the Keys
Goodwill SWFL has received a grant of $10,000 from the United Way of Collier and the Keys to support the Opportunity Accelerator program delivered through the Goodwill Mobile CRC. Opportunity Accelerator addresses skills gaps in the community by providing essential training to individuals who lack access to higher education and paid training opportunities.
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May Notable Anniversaries
Annette Newkirk, Retail Sales Associate, 15 years on May 11th.
John Nadeau, CEO and President, 10 years on May 18th.
(*Goodwill SWFL recognizes Years of Service every 5 years)
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Cape Coral MicroEnterprise Classes
The next Cape Coral small business class, MicroEnterprise, will be held from June 2nd through July 10th, 6pm to 8:30pm on Mondays and Thursdays at the West Cape Goodwill Community Resource Center located at 1499 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral.
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This six-week small business class assists aspiring entrepreneurs discover if their business idea is feasible (can make money). The students learn directly from industry experts in banking, marketing, legal matters, and more. Once students complete this course they are one step closer to launching their own small business.
These small business classes are offered to residents of Charlotte (including North Port), Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee counties. For more information about upcoming classes, contact Sandra Plazas at sandraplazas@goodwillswfl.org, or call (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2304.
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Shop for a Cause - Kendra Gives Back Event
We’re so excited to announce that Pathways to Opportunity (PTO) is partnering with Kendra Scott for a fundraiser on Friday, May 16 — and you can shop online or in-store!
Here’s how you can support:
Online: Shop at kendrascott.com anytime from May 16–17 and use our custom code GIVEBACK–JJXKN at checkout.
In-Store: Join us between 12–2 PM on May 16 at Kendra Scott at Waterside Shops in Naples to shop in person with us!
20% of all purchases made using our code (or during our in-store time) will directly benefit PTO and the amazing participants we serve.
Support inclusion, empowerment, and opportunity—one beautiful piece at a time.
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PTO Advocacy Council Elections
Monday, May 12th was Election Day at Pathways to Opportunity and thanks to the Lee County Elections team, our PTO participants got to vote for their favorite Advocacy Council candidates for this quarter.
This exercise not only teaches the participants how to vote, and their right to vote, but also gives them a voice within the PTO program by enabling them to select their Advocacy Council spokespersons.
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Big News!
We’re thrilled to announce that Shari Armstrong will be the official MC for this year’s Strides for Inclusion 5K & Walk!
Shari is a seasoned news professional, gifted storyteller, and proud Southwest Florida native. You’ve seen her on Fox 4 News, and she was honored as one of Gulfshore Life’s “40 Under 40.”
Her passion for people and talent for bringing stories to life make her the perfect voice to guide us through this empowering event. With her warm presence, dynamic energy, and authenticity, Shari will make this a day to remember!
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Join Us for the Strides for Inclusion 5K!
Saturday, June 6th
7:30 am at Babcock Ranch
Get ready to lace up your running (or walking!) shoes for a great cause! The Strides for Inclusion 5K is coming up, and we want YOU to be part of this incredible event.
Every step you take helps support programs that promote inclusion and empower individuals of all abilities. Whether you're racing to the finish line or enjoying a stroll with friends, your participation makes a difference!
Haven’t signed up yet?
Register today at https://www.pathwaystoopportunity.com/5k
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Free Ongoing Classes
Citizenship Classes
Join us every Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Goodwill Community Resource Center in Cape Coral for free citizenship classes. We assist with your citizenship application and test preparation. Students must reserve a spot with Keith Edison in advance (text: 508-662-2121). Bring a copy of your application, a notebook, and a pen.
Supportive friends are welcome to come along.
Nutrition Classes
Free Nutrition classes are offered at Goodwill Community Resource Centers in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. Participants can eat the foods prepared in the class. For more information contact Hilda (Fort Myers) at 239-995-2106 Ext 2228, or Daisy (Bonita Springs) at 239-318-4644.
ACCESS Training
ACCESS Class is offered every Friday at 9:00 AM at the Bonita Springs CRC. Goodwill CRC coordinators are teaching the community how to create a new account in the MyACCESS Portal and do a renewal (or a new application). This is a free service offered by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. Contact Daisy or Linda at (239) 318-4644, or stop by the Bonita CRC at 11601 Bonita Beach Road, SE.
Digital Skills Classes
If you want to improve your computer skills, Goodwill provides FREE courses, online and in person, covering basic topics such as typing, using a mouse, email, internet navigation, and more. We also offer advanced software classes, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office 365. Call (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2226 or Ext. 2228 to locate the nearest Goodwill Community Resource Center and get started today!
FREE AI Essentials Coursera Certification
No Cost On-Line Coursera Certification Course in AI Essentials is available at Goodwill Community Resource Centers in Southwest Florida. If you are a job seeker and want to have the cutting edge on the competition, sign up for this free on-line Professional Certification. Visit https://goodwillswfl.org/crc for a list of Goodwill CRC locations, or call (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2226 to be directed.
| | | Our Mobile Goodwill Schedule | | Invest in yourself! Goodwill offers employability skills, digital skills, and other free workshops at all Community Resource Centers throughout SWFL. It just takes a commitment from you to take advantage of these free classes that are aimed at helping you take the next step forward! Click HERE to get started. | | | |
Calling all Opportunity Makers! | | Join us in creating a brighter future for someone. Become an Opportunity Maker! To sponsor one of our Community Resource Centers and/or employability workshops, please get in touch with Ashley Price at (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2213 or email AshleyPrice@goodwillswfl.org. | |
FREE Computer Classes For Older Adults (60+)
Cloud Storage, Thursday, May 22nd
Goodwill Southwest Florida is hosting lectures, workshops, and courses from Senior Planet and AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends. Classes will be held at 24123 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33954 and are intended for adults 60 and over. Call (941) 255-3884.
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Senior Planet, the principal program of Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, helps older adults harness the power of technology to thrive in the digital world. By joining the Senior Planet licensing program, Goodwill SWFL has made a commitment to help seniors in the local area learn to use technology to change their lives.
For more information about Senior Planet courses in other communities, contact Angela at angelahemstreet@goodwillswfl.org.
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Looking for Retired Medical Professionals
Are you a retired medical professional looking to give back to the community?
The Institute of Health Careers and Goodwill SWFL have partnered to help people get their start in a new high-demand career in healthcare.
We are looking for retired medical professionals to contribute their time and expertise to help teach free CNA and MA classes. The curriculum is set, we just need you! A stipend is provided.
Contact Caren at (239) 303-4388 for more details!
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14th Annual Goodwill Golf Classic
Registration is now open to reserve a player spot in the 14th Annual Goodwill Golf Classic. The annual four-person scramble, scheduled May 22nd at Verandah Golf Club. Proceeds benefit programs and services offered through Goodwill that help people with disabilities and disadvantages remove barriers to their independence.
Players will tee off at 8:30 a.m., followed by lunch and prizes in the club restaurant. Dozens of prizes will be available through course contests and raffles. Cost is $225 per player or $750 per foursome. A limited number of sponsorships are available.
Players and sponsors can register online at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/14thannualgolfclassic
For more information, contact Alex at (239) 995-2106 Ext. 2271, or email alexdamerell@goodwillswfl.org.
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VIP Memorial Day Sale
Saturday, May 17th
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Goodwill SWFL VIP Perk Members get treated to the Memorial Day Sale early on Saturday, May 17th. Get the same great savings of 50% off donated at all Goodwill SWFL retail stores, and 25% off donated at the two blue Boutiques when you use your VIP Perk number at checkout.
Make sure your friends are signed up for the Goodwill SWFL VIP Perk program to get the savings too!
Sign up at www.GoodwillPerks.com
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Goodwill SWFL
Memorial Day Sale
Monday, May 26th
Mark your calendars! Goodwill's Memorial Day Sale is, Monday, May 26th.
50% OFF - ALL DONATED GOODS
25% off donated at the two blue Boutiques.
Remember when you put an awesome find in your Goodwill® cart, you’re not just thrifting, you’re helping Goodwill to provide job training and more for your neighbors.
Bring Good Home during the Goodwill Memorial Day Sale!
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Enjoy Café blue!
Have you seen our new book, vinyl and media section at Cafe blue? You can buy art there too. Stop in for a new book. Check out our vinyl records and CDs, and of course delight in one of our delicious baked goods and flavorful coffees. Cafe blue is downtown Fort Myers at 2277 First Street.
| | | Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. l (239) 995-2106 l email l website
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Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. has received a Platinum rating by Candid (formerly GuideStar). https://www.guidestar.org/profile/59-6196141. Our charitable contributions/solicitation registration # is CH1930. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OF FL. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. PLEASE VISIT www.800helpfla.com FOR OFFICIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. | | | | | | |
