SARASOTA, Fla. —  More money was awarded to Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services through the USAA grant to continue helping veterans and their spouses reach further in their careers. 

The nonprofit is the second one in the country and the only one in Florida receiving this grant.

Wynika Moreira is a nurse practitioner. “It was a pretty busy shift for a Monday, but so far, so good,” she said.

She’s taking her hour work break to stop by Goodwill Manasota veterans services to say thank you.

“I’m forever grateful to you guys for doing that,” she said.

With the help of Todd Hughes, the project manager and the nonprofit he works for Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services, the organization was able to cover all costs through a grant so Wynika could become a nurse practitioner.

“So glad everyone came together, so proud of all of your work,” he said.

 “I’m enjoying it… enjoying my patients. I like it a lot,” Wynika said.

It’s a position she thought of doing since serving as a medic in the navy for 13 years.

She qualified for the United Services Automobile Association grant, also known as Operation Achieve, which pays for career enhancement for black and Hispanic veterans and their spouses.

Its success stories like Wynika that Todd says are a great example of what this program aims to do.

“Since your completion and success, we were awarded round two of operation achieve,” Todd said.

The organization was first awarded the grant in 2021 of 155,000 dollars. Now this second amount is over 67 thousand dollars, all for one goal.

“Go on to be the leaders of our community,” he said.

It’s continuing serving the veterans of our state that have served to protect us while helping them continue prospering in their careers

“I’m so grateful to be able to do this,” she said.

Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services says this program is now open to all veterans who fit the requirements in the state of Florida.