Local Woman Celebrated at Goodwill Breakthrough Awards

FORT MYERS, Fla. - April 24, 2014 - PRLog -- On Wednesday, May 7, Tamsyn Reedus will be honored at Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s Breakthrough Awards Luncheon. The annual event honors businesses and members in the community who have assisted others, or themselves, in overcoming disabilities or barriers on their path to employment and independence. Reedus will be receiving the Breakthrough Graduate Award.

Nearly a decade ago Reedus, who is Deaf, was having difficulty finding an employer who would give her a chance.

“Because of my hearing impairment, being Deaf made it harder to find a job,” Reedus explains through a sign language interpreter.  “Because I wouldn’t be able to hear, to be able to do things like answer the phone, that kind of stuff.  I think that kind of hindered me."

After being referred to Goodwill by Vocational Rehabilitation, her Job-Link Consultant Ketinna Gadsden found Reedus a volunteer position at Lee Physican Group- Pulmonary Associates in Fort Myers.

“I thought it would be a good fit for her to work with such a small group setting,” explains Gadsden.  “They gave her a chance.”

When Reedus’ volunteer assignment was over, the office realized she was a significant asset to the staff, and hired her permanently as a medical records clerk where she continues to work today.

For Reedus, having a job means more than just a paycheck.

“I was so happy to finally get work,” she signs. “It’s so important.  Having a job, I’m able to pay my bills, pay my rent, and I’m able to be responsible for myself.  Take care of myself. Be dependent on myself.”

Other Goodwill Breakthrough Award winners include Breakthrough Employer Broadway Palm, Breakthrough Business GCG Construction, and Breakthrough Acheiver Mark Peirce. Goodwill will also be celebrating volunteer of the year Melissa Mannon.

The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers. Tickets to the Goodwill Breakthrough Awards Luncheon are just $50 per person or $750 for a table sponsorship.  To RSVP for the event, or if you are interested in sponsorship, please call Madison at (239)995-2106 x2213 or email MadisonMitchell@goodwillswfl.org.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by providing life-changing opportunities to achieve independence.  Revenue generated by Goodwill’s 29 Southwest Florida Retail & Donation Centers is used to support these programs. For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit the agency’s website at http://www.goodwillswfl.org.