Goodwill Moving Forward Through COVID Challenges: Hires a new Director of Development

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Oct. 30, 2020 - PRLog -- Over the past 119 years, Goodwill organizations have operated unlike most Human Service non-profits relying on their retail stores to generate funds for the community services they provide instead of generating funds through charity giving. Due to this unique operational model, many people continue to see Goodwill as only a collection of thrift stores. But, behind the stores lies a mission that has been deeply affected by COVID. The Governor's "Safer at Home" order put Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida in an unfortunate bind with stores having to close for weeks, stores that fund mission services.

While other providers closed their doors during the pandemic, Goodwill SWFL continued to safely provide critical services, giving the community a lifeline during their greatest time of need.

Goodwill coordinators provided nearly 5,000 individuals with COVID related services in Lee County alone, all while connecting families to services to address their basic needs. These important services included assistance with unemployment, SNAP, LIHEAP, stimulus payments and LeeCARES applications. Goodwill continues to address community needs helping displaced workers through resume writing, job search assistance and interview coaching, providing free digital skills training, and helping folks get better jobs through upskilling.

With the increased demand in these services to help get the SWFL community back on their feet and working, Goodwill has added a Director of Development to the leadership staff to levy the losses due to the 10-week shutdown.

Ashley Price Swick has joined Goodwill SWFL as Director of Development from the University of Miami Herbert Business School. In her role, Ashley will be working with the Vice President of Communications and Development, Carolyn Johnson. She will focus on identifying and developing funding sources for the organization's mission and services.

In her previous role as Assistant Director at Miami Herbert Business School, Ashley focused on raising leadership level gifts (up to $100,000) as well as identifying major and principal gift donors. She also led strategic events to steward and cultivate the school's donors, alumni, students, and community members.

Through education and strong community relationships, Ashley will be an ambassador for Goodwill's mission to provide life-changing opportunities to those with disadvantages and disabilities in Southwest Florida.

Ashley is the President of the Board of Directors for Refugee Assistance Alliance, an organization that supports the underserved refugees in South Florida. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in Political Science with a focus on American Government and International Relations as well as a minor in Sociology focused on class and minority struggles.

To discuss your philanthropic goals and how you can impact and empower constituents in your community, contact Ashley Price Swick by email at ashleyprice@goodwillswfl.org or by calling (239) - 271-5200.