GCTA Scholarships Now Open to Salvation Army Rehabilitation Grads
Tuesday | July 6, 2021
If anyone could bring two like-minded organizations together for good — Goodwill Central Texas and the Salvation Army — it’s Dick Rathgeber. After all, the longtime real estate developer and philanthropist has spent the last 50+ years using his legendary knack for deal-making to give people a hand-up in the Austin area.
Take his impact on the Avery Ranch subdivision in Austin, for example. His signature “leveraged giving” deal-making approach resulted in home builders donating at least $100 to charity for every house they sold, which was matched by Rathgeber. Or how he successfully paved the way for Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas to be in Austin’s more-centralized Mueller neighborhood. Rathgeber’s legacy of championing the need for social services is an inspiration; and now he and his wife Sara have created even more life-changing opportunities for Central Texans with the Goodwill Central Texas and Salvation Army Scholarship Program.
Goodwill Central Texas and Salvation Army Scholarship Program
Made possible by a grant awarded from the Dick & Sara Rathgeber Fund, Goodwill Central Texas and the Salvation Army have launched a scholarship program for graduates of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center. Reentering society, reuniting with family, and resuming day-to-day life can be a challenge after rehab; so the idea is that getting career training at the Goodwill Career & Technical Academy (GCTA) will help ease that transition by preparing participants for a new and sustainable career. Grads may apply for a scholarship, and if accepted, are able to learn the skills they need to earn an industry-recognized professional credential. Plus, they’re able to choose from a variety of industries, including healthcare, skilled trades, and technology.
This collaborative partnership between Goodwill and the Salvation Army capitalizes on both entities’ strengths and ensures that scholarship recipients receive the skills training and comprehensive support that’s essential for a long-term career. Rathgeber played a pivotal role in bringing this scholarship program to life, as he understands the importance of a stable career that pays a living wage.
A longtime Salvation Army Board Member, Rathgeber believes that the best way to help people is to prepare and support them on their road to success. And this time around, that journey is the GCTA. A self-described “human-needs person,” Rathgeber has made significant contributions to the People’s Community Clinic, the Safe Alliance, and The Settlement Home for Children. And now, he can add Goodwill Central Texas to his list of nonprofit partners. We’re especially grateful to Dick and Sara Rathgeber for opening the doors of the GCTA to graduates of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, and look forward to helping participants embark on fulfilling career paths.
