Big Dreams Through Small Steps and Goodwill Manasota Unite to Empower Mobility Through Bridge Abilities
Big Dreams Through Small Steps has partnered with Goodwill Manasota to expand its community initiative, Bridge Abilities—a program dedicated to providing mobility aids and medical equipment to individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions who lack access due to financial hardship or gaps in coverage.
The partnership marks a significant step forward in local efforts to bridge the accessibility gap for vulnerable residents. Bridge Abilities collects, refurbishes, and redistributes gently used medical equipment, including wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, and other essential assistive devices. The program operates under the belief that no one should be held back from independence or recovery because of income or insurance status.
Goodwill Manasota, an industry-leading nonprofit social enterprise, whose mission is Changing Lives through the Power of Work, brings its organizational strength and logistics network to support the growth of Bridge Abilities. Known for reinvesting in community services through its retail operations, Goodwill’s involvement will expand outreach, storage, and distribution capacities for the program.
Community members can support this initiative by donating gently used mobility aids and medical equipment. Donations may be dropped off at any Goodwill Manasota donation site. Items will be collected, assessed for safety, and then redistributed through the Bridge Abilities program to those in need across Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Individuals in need of equipment can visit the Big Dreams Through Small Steps website to submit a request. The organization will work to match them with available resources based on urgency and inventory.
Together, the two organizations aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals throughout the region by ensuring they have access to the necessary tools for mobility, rehabilitation, and daily living. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, dignity, and opportunity for all.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that changes lives through the power of work. Goodwill’s mission-integrated operations assist individuals with barriers – such as people with disabilities, veterans, older adults, and other impediments to stable employment – by providing jobs, job skills training and education, and life and career coaching. In 2024, Goodwill served over 7,000 individuals, placed 1,563 in jobs, assisted 463 veterans, collected over 234,600 pounds of food for area food banks, and diverted 98.4 million pounds from landfills. For more information or for a comprehensive listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.