Goodwill Names Housing After Supporter Jean Devereaux

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - Aug. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. cut the ribbon on August 4 on the Jean Devereaux Apartments. The income-sensitive housing for people with physical disabilities is located in North Fort Myers’ Palmona Park area.  The apartments are named in honor of long-time Goodwill supporter and community advocate Jean Devereaux.

“Jean doesn’t like to give herself a lot of credit but, the work she has done has been instrumental in the formation of Goodwill housing,” says Goodwill Chief Operating Officer Rick Evanchyk. “We are happy that we could honor her work in the community with the naming of these apartments.”

Devereaux has been a champion for income-sensitive housing in the Southwest Florida area since becoming president of the Southwest Florida GWI Housing Board in 1991. She also served on Goodwill’s Board of Directors. The first complex Goodwill completed was in 1997 at the Park Villas community in North Fort Myers.

The Jean Devereaux Apartments are 14 HUD-approved units designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities. Accessible apartments are constructed with conveniences like assistance railings, widened doorways, roll-in showers, and lowered sinks, countertops, and mirrors. Goodwill’s barrier-free housing communities also have on-site community rooms, a laundry room and a picnic/patio area.

“These housing complexes have been made possible because of Jean’s leadership,” says Evanchyk.

The Jean Devereaux Apartments are located on Atlantic. Ave., between Monterey St. and Capitol St. in North Fort Myers.

Construction of the apartment complex was completed by Westco Builders of Florida, Inc. The complex was designed by Associates in Architecture.

Individuals interested in living in one of Goodwill’s 15 housing communities must meet medical and income requirements, and must pass a background check to be considered for residency.  For more application guidelines, call Jean LaValley at (239)995-6100.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, Inc. is committed to assisting people with disabilities and disadvantages by offering life-changing opportunities to independence. The revenue generated in the organization’s 30 Retail & Donation Centers supports programs such as the Goodwill L.I.F.E. Academy charter school for students with developmental disabilities, the Goodwill MicroEnterprise Institute, and Goodwill Job-Link Centers. Last year, Goodwill assisted over 37,000 individuals throughout Southwest Florida. For more information visit www.goodwillswfl.org

Goodwill’s housing division, Southwest Florida GWI Housing, provides barrier-free housing for persons with physical disabilities providing the opportunity for affordable, convenient, independent living to enhance the overall quality of life.

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