Inside this issue:
Success Story: Janis Morgan; Culinary Training Class; Miracle Baseball Goodwill Game Night; Love That Dress collection event; Cape Coral MicroEnterprise Institute; Community Garage Sale; Italian Fest.
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Success Story: Morgan completes two Goodwill programs, launches business
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Janis Morgan shares photos on her phone of curry stew, oxtails and rice, red velvet cupcakes and other comfort food she prepares for customers. As owner of Soulful Cravez, a new Fort Myers area catering business, Morgan’s excitement for all things culinary is infectious.
“It’s something to see when the community tastes your food for the first time. Your family politely says they like it, but when strangers like it, it’s so amazing,” Morgan, 26, said.
Four years ago, she couldn’t imagine the independence she has now. A high school drop-out and alcoholic, she was in the “wrong place at the wrong time,” she said. From 2015 to 2016, she spent nearly two years in an Ocala prison, and then she found jobs in the fast food industry as part of a work release program.
“When you come out of a place like that, you come home.” Home was the Fort Myers’ Pine Manor neighborhood, whose improvement association operates a community center and garden. It is staffed by Shari Clark, a resident coordinator employed by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida.
“If it wasn’t for Miss Shari, I don’t know what I would’ve done,” she said.
Clark helped Morgan, sober four years now, apply for state benefits and gave her items from the center’s food pantry. In addition, Clark and Sandra Plazas, Goodwill ‘s Community Education Manager, offered Morgan life-changing opportunities through a continuum of Goodwill programs and services.
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Morgan enrolled in the Goodwill Culinary Training Class taught at the Pine Manor Community Center, where she earned her Serv-Safe food handling certification. She also earned her GED. She didn’t stop there.
She continued her education at Goodwill’s MicroEnterprise Institute, a six-week course that helps entrepreneurs develop a small business feasibility study. She graduated in October 2017, and launched Soulful Cravez food vendor and catering business.
“I didn’t expect to get all that I’ve gotten from Goodwill. Your dream can be a dream, but they can teach you how to make it a reality,” Morgan said.
Her next goal is to obtain a food truck for Soulful Cravez.
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Come out and join us at these upcoming events!
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August 13: Next Culinary Training Class
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The next two-week culinary class begins Aug. 13 and concludes Aug. 24.
Students will learn cooking techniques, knife skills and earn their SafeStaff Foodhandler's Certificate.
Classes are taught 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily at Pine Manor Improvement Association's commercial kitchen, located at 5547 10th Avenue in Fort Myers. The final exam includes cooking a meal for special invitees. Class fee is $20.
Click Here to register or call (239( 995-2106, extension 2304 for more information.
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July 17: Love That Dress Collection Event at Red Door Photography
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The “Glam! Bam! River District” event, presented by Red Door Photography and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, at Red Door Photography in downtown Fort Myers. The event benefits PACE Center for Girls in Lee County.
Activities will include raffle prizes, a performance by Glam! Bam! Burlesque, food and beverage.
Tickets are $25 or $20 with the donation of a gently loved dress.
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July 21: Free Miracle Baseball Voucher from Goodwill Industries SWFL
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The next Goodwill Game Night is July 21!
Bring your unwanted clothing and household items to your nearest Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida Donation & Retail Center or make a purchase and receive a voucher for two General Admission tickets to the July 21 Saturday game (While Supplies Last).
That's right, ANY purchase or donation from now through July 21 qualifies you for FREE admission for two -- that's an $18.00 Value!
See store for details. Previous purchases not included.
Game starts at 6 p.m.
Click for details.
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July 23: Cape Coral MicroEnterprise Institute has Opening for Entrepreneur
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Have you thought about starting your own business but are trapped because you don't know what you don't know about going into business?
MicroEnterprise Institute, a 6-week course offered by Goodwill, can help. Learn from experienced business coaches. Subject matters include accounting, legal, marketing, insurance and funding information.
The next Cape Coral course is July 23-Aug. 30. Classes meet 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the Public Works Community Room, 815 Nicholas Parkway E. Cost is $80.
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September 15:
Community Garage Sale
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Join Goodwill at the area's largest community garage sale, sponsored by hello SWFL media.
Junk in the Trunk is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.
Turn in your unwanted items to Goodwill and shop for new and gently used merchandise displayed by dozens of vendors. There will be food trucks too.
All donors will receive a coupon valid for
xx off your next purchase at a Goodwill SWFL location.
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Oct. 28: 10th Annual Italian Festival
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The Rotary Club of Fort Myers is pleased to announce the 10th Annual Italian Fest Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers!
Some of the finest Italian food establishments from across Southwest Florida will take part, serving up authentic culinary delights throughout the day.
For more information on the Rotary Club of Fort Myers Italian Fest, email office@rotary-fortmyers.org or call (239) 332-8158.
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida has been chosen as the non-profit benefactor of proceeds from the 2018 Italian Fest.
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Thank You to our 2018 Partners in Opportunity
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For more information about how you can become a Partner in Opportunity, contact Carolyn Johnson at (239) 995-2106, ext. 2247 or
email her.
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Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. |(239) 995-2106 |
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