For 25 years, Susan Lowy worked at Goodwill Manasota, primarily in the Learning and Development department, helping scores of co-workers to receive upskilling training and educational opportunities and better their lives. When she retired last year, she was determined to continue to have a positive impact on the lives of those with barriers to employment. 

Last May, Lowy signed an agreement with Goodwill to establish the Susan H. Lowy HandUp Educational Fund. This three-year agreement, with a financial commitment of more than $20,000, is supporting the training and educational endeavors of team members who wish to pursue a post-secondary degree or industry-recognized credential for upskilling. In order to qualify, team members must demonstrate a financial need, achieve Role Model Worker status, be employed at Goodwill for a minimum of two years, and have a GED or high school diploma.

So far, with one year of the program completed, five team members have benefited: Holly Garcia, Team Lead of Loss Control & Claims, is pursuing her Associate’s degree at State College of Florida; Sandy Franklin, Total Rewards Manager, earned her HRCI Pro Compensation Certificate; Brittany Goitiz, Team Lead of Project Management, is in the process of earning her Certified Associate in Project Management; Lynn Fabian, a GoodPartner Coach, earned her Career and Life Coach Certification; and Orlando Gonzalez Torres, IS Systems Administrator, completed his Comptia Certmaster CE Security+.

Unfortunately, Lowy unexpectedly passed away in June. However, her generous gift has become a tribute to her long career with the nonprofit and the many lives she touched. 

Lowy started working at Goodwill as an instructor in June of 1998. Most of her tenure was spent in Learning and Development – with roles that included instructional design and training – empowering her fellow team members with skills for career advancement and personal growth. She retired from Goodwill in February of 2024. Colleagues note that, during her tenure, she was a mentor to many and made a positive impact on numerous lives.

“At Goodwill, we are committed to investing in our team members, from providing life/career coaches to covering the costs of job skills training and educational advancement,” said Donn Githens, President and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “For 25 years, Susan saw first-hand the impact of those investments and – even now that she’s no longer with us – it’s so fitting that her legacy will continue on as her namesake fund will support the team at Goodwill in such a powerful and generous way!” 

For more about Goodwill, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.

About Goodwill Manasota

Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.