FLORIDA GRANTOR Official Publication of The Able Trust • www.abletrust.org Summer 2009 The Able Trust Ability Awards 1 The Able Trust Ability Awards 2 President’s Letter Growing Awareness 3 Florida Youth Leadership Forum Fast Approaching 3 The Business Connection - Florida BLN 4 HS/HT Students Take 3rd Place in the VEX World Robotics Championship 5 Disability Mentoring Day Offers Unique Opportunity To Meet Your Workforce Needs (From left) Tom Flanigan, John Mirra, Donna Fassett, Joel Hullet, Paul Martell, Carl Crane, Anthony LaCava, Don Chester and service dog Pollyanna, Fonda Lee, Gail Dempsey, Drew Andrews, Angela Wing- TH 6 Grants for 4 Quarter 2009 Allen, Beth Cigoi, Roxane MacGillivray, Taquaisha Johnson, Jaclyn Pell. 2009 Gala Committee 6 he Able Trust Ability Awards annually recognizes individuals and organizations 7 Make a Donation to The Able Trust Tfor outstanding contributions toward the employment of Florida citizens with disabilities. This year, the luncheon and awards ceremony was held Friday, June 12, 8 Memorial Gifts 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida at the Golden Eagle Country Club. The Ability Awards were presented by The Able Trust as well as Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp. 8 Upcoming Events Sixteen individuals and programs from around the state were recognized for their contribution to the quality of life for the individuals they serve—people who are excellent employees and just happen to have a disability. These honorees help The Able Trust fulfill its mission to get people with disabilities trained and working, and remaining or becoming productive members of their communities. 2009 Ability Award Recipients: • Gratitude House, Inc – Beverly Chapman Award • Donna Fassett of ARC Gateway – Dr. George Spelios Leadership Award • Lockheed Martin and Roxane MacGillivray – Large Employer of the Year • Mark Kamleiter – Small Business of the Year • Panhandle BLN – Business Leadership Network (BLN) Site of the Year • Florida Public Radio and Tom Flanigan – Media Award • Don Chester – Adult Leadership Award • Anthony LaCava – Youth Leadership Award • Senator Stephen R. Wise, Ed.D – Legislator of the Year • Representative Will Weatherford – Legislator of the Year • Paul Martell – Public Employee of the Year • W. Drew Andrews – Volunteer of the Year • Dr. J. R. Harding – Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year • Fonda Lee – Gala Fundraiser of the Year • Florida Crown Workforce Board – High School High Tech Program of the Year • University of Florida – Business Mentor of the Year Congratulations to all of the Ability Award winners! The Able Trust looks forward The BAble E C A UTrust’s S E P E Omission P L E W ANTis to TbeO WtheORK leader to celebrating next years’ successes and honoring those individuals that continually in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through grant make a difference in lives of others. programs, public awareness, education and policy recommendations. A Message from the President Growing Awareness B E C A U S E P E O P L E WANT T O W ORK BOARD OF DIRECTORS he Able Trust’s primary mission is to create fair employment opportunities for people with disabilities, a Chair T Bridget R. Pallango, Miami mission that has become especially challenging in the tough economic times Florida is experiencing. Anyone seeking work Vice Chair Richard L. Cole, Jr., The Villages who has a disability faces challenges in a normal economy due to barriers, misperceptions, and a general misunderstanding Secretary Jeannie Amendola, Lake Buena Vista of capabilities. Competing with an increased pool of people looking for work makes the task more difficult for the job Treasurer seeker with a disability. However, and in spite of the additional Jason E. Havens, Niceville challenges, there is a growing awareness among businesses, especially those that take their social responsibility seriously, to make sure that open positions in their Eladio Amores, Sarasota organizations are available to all, and that people with disabilities are encouraged Sheila E. Buchbinder, M.D., Juno Beach to apply. Perhaps that is because organizations are becoming delightfully surprised at the talent in this workforce pool. Perhaps it is because the businesses realize the Barbara G. MacArthur, Tallahassee return on their investment as these employees tend to change jobs less often, thus James G. Saunders, Ph.D., Tampa reducing hiring and training costs; perhaps it is because diversity in the workforce James L. Spencer, Clearwater opens more markets for the business. We think it is all of these, plus a growing awareness that, in spite of the economy, our country may face a workforce shortage AMBASSADORS in the near future, and talent will be in demand with companies becoming more Bob Billingslea, Orlando willing to make accommodations in exchange for such talent. Bob Bromberg, Miami In addition, as our population ages, more and more people are becoming aware Sherra G. Payne, Plantation that talent and skills continue, even as the percentage of people with disabilities Nancy Kline, Ft. Walton Beach increases. According to the National Organization on Disability, 1.7 % of all people STAFF under the age of 22 have a disability. The numbers increase with age: President & CEO • 6.4% of all, age 22- 44 • 27.8% of those age 65-79 Dr. Susanne Homant • 11.5% of those age 45-54 • 53.5% of those, 80 and older. Vice President of Grants Program • 21.9% of those age 55-64 Guenevere Crum The increase in disabilities among our aging population brings an increased Director of Development & Marketing awareness to the capabilities of people continue, in spite of challenges, which can Natalie Lamb surely help to diminish and hopefully eventually eliminate many misperceptions Financial Manager about the talented workforce that is made up of people with disabilities. Leona Boutwell State Director, Florida HS/HT This should also be encouraging to Florida’s youth with disabilities. As they grow Cat Keen in the pursuit and then practice of their careers, more and more of their fellow Assistant Director, Disability Mentoring Program & HS/HT workers will also have a disability, which will help to “level the playing field.” Thus Sally Ash we encourage our youth to seek summer internships, to participate in mentoring Assistant Director of Communications & Events opportunities and to spend some time doing volunteer work so that they can learn Ray Ford as much as possible about different businesses and industries, allowing them to Assistant to President & CEO find their niche in this world. And they should do this sooner rather than later, to Samantha Springfield stay ahead of the naysayers and those that find purpose in discouraging others. Administrative Assistant Our board and staff are dedicated to making these opportunities happen, through Alexis C. Garcia our grants, through our youth programs, and the public messages we deliver. STAFF & CONSULTANTS My refrigerator door is full of quotes I have found to be interesting and often Regional Endowment Director inspiring. One of my favorites is from the first Star Wars movie. In that movie Michael S. Campbell Yoda said, “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” And perhaps that is the best State Consultant, Florida HS/HT message we can give to those we serve - that they need to continue to be “doers” Donna Mundy for themselves and those who will follow. There is a double reward. CONTACT US Have a wonderful summer, and do something good for someone in need. We’d love to hear from you! If you would like to share your disability-related story ideas, events, questions, comments, or are more Susanne F. Homant interested in learning about The Able Trust, President & CEO, The Able Trust please call us at (888) 838-2253 or visit our website at www.abletrust.org. Florida Grantor 2 FRIENDS OF THE ABLE TRUST Abilities Foundation Abilities of Florida, Inc. Ability 1st The 2009 Youth Leadership Accessible Alternatives, Inc. ACT Corporation Action Disability Advocates, Inc. Forum is Here! Advance Ability Solutions Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities AFIRE of Pasco County, Inc. elegates from across the state of the opportunity to gain confidence Against All Odds-Macular Degeneration Network Florida are attending the tenth and learn about leadership and Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc. D Agency for Persons with Disabilities annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) responsibility. Selected from all high Agency for Workforce Innovation in Tallahassee. The delegates are all school juniors and seniors in the state, Aids Community Project of Tampa Bay high school students with disabilities these 50 students were selected. American Foundation for Visual Rehabilitation American Habilitation Services, Inc. who are gathered to learn to be leaders American with Disabilities Working Group in the face of their challenges. “It makes me work harder to prove Ann Storck Center, Inc. them wrong in school,” said 2009 Apalachee Center, Inc. ARC, Inc. Thanks to the help of its YLF partners delegate Kristina Ball, a rising senior ARC Alachua County and sponsors, The Able Trust is once from Father Anglim Academy in Ft. ARC Florida again hosting this program. Fifty invi- Myers. “I like to show my fellow ARC Gadsden ARC Gateway, Inc. tations were extended to high school classmates that we can do anything that ARC Glades Area juniors and seniors with disabilities any other teen can do.” ARC Jackson County ARC Madison-Jefferson to partake in an all-expenses-paid ex- ARC Marion, Inc. perience enhancing their leadership, This tenth edition of the Florida YLF ARC Nassau citizenship, and social skills. will be highlighted by a mock session ARC Nature Coast ARC of Alachua County in the House Chamber of the Florida ARC of Bradford County “I used to always use my disability as Capitol, where delegates will get to ARC of Broward an excuse for something I couldn’t do. actively participate in the legislative ARC of Indian River County ARC of Martin County I never tried,” Catherine Rudniski, a process by debating and voting on ARC of Okeechobee rising senior from Pinellas Park High an issue.