On Friday, May 30, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (GGI) celebrated the commencement ceremony for 20 graduates of the Gulfstream Goodwill Career Academy of the Palm Beaches at Palm Beach State College’s campus in Lake Worth. Among the graduates were Wellington resident Angelia Sieli and Greenacres resident Zaqueo Lopez-Ramos.
The academy is a public charter school managed by GGI. Headquartered in West Palm Beach, it provides education, training and career pathways that promote self-sufficiency and independence, serving students with disabilities, ages 16-21, who have deferred their diplomas.
During the ceremony, the Knights of St. Andrew Color Guard honored the graduates with their signature “Presentation of Colors and Arch of Steel.” Distinguished guest speaker Ryan Boylston, CEO and founder of 2TON, inspired the graduates with a commencement speech. Graduates will go on to join teams at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, the Seagate Hotel and Resort in Delray Beach, Gulfstream Goodwill retail stores, and Gulfstream Goodwill’s newest microenterprise, Good Grub. Good Grub is available to students and includes a training kitchen, catering and mobile kitchen operations.
“The commencement ceremony for Gulfstream Goodwill Industries’ Career Academy of the Palm Beaches speaks volumes about the commitment and resilience displayed by our students,” Principal Dr. Christopher Glinton said. “We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and excited to witness their continued growth, as they embark on meaningful careers in our community. At Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, we are committed to empowering individuals with disabilities, and this ceremony exemplifies the transformative impact of education and training.”
The academy also offers a free summer camp, the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) 50-Hour Career Camp. The program provides in-person, paid work-based learning experiences, job exploration counseling, workplace readiness training and self-advocacy training. Classes are designed to instruct students on skills for adult life, focusing on skills needed for work and independence. A stipend will be paid for every 10 hours of work-based learning completed. For more information, contact Cindy Maunder at (561) 906-7018 or e-mail maunder@goggi.org.
Learn more about the Gulfstream Goodwill Career Academy of the Palm Beaches at www.goggi.org.
