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List Of Grants Archive

Over $370,000 Awarded in Grants During the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2007

The Able Trust recently awarded $374,832 in grants during the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2007 to nine nonprofit agencies across the state of Florida. Grants will assist these organizations with the employment of people with disabilities. The awarded agencies are as follows:

• ARC Gateway, Inc., (Escambia County) in the amount of $42,002 to provide salary and staff support for an Employment Specialist who will assist individuals with disabilities who are interested in gaining and retaining employment in the community.
• Center for Independent Living of South Florida, (Miami-Dade County) in the amount of $51,000 to provide additional peer Job Coaching that will aid individuals with disabilities in securing employment in the community.
• Creative Clay, Inc., (Pinellas County) in the amount of $34,100 to provide a Supported Employment Program designed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities in gaining employment skills in art related fields.
• Easter Seals Florida, Inc., (Indian River County) in the amount of $41,280 to provide specific employment training and education to aid individuals with disabilities with securing job placement.
• Gratitude House, Inc., (Palm Beach County) in the amount of $51,000 to hire a Job Coach/ Vocational Counselor who will assist women with disabilities in gaining employment skills and job placement during the recovery of their treatment.
• Jewish Community Services of South Florida, (Miami-Dade County) in the amount of $40,000 to expand the Supported Employment Program, which will assist individuals with disabilities in seeking competitive employment.
• La Amistad Foundation, Inc., (Seminole County) in the amount of $39,750 to create a job skills program, providing individuals with disabilities with resources to gain and develop a spectrum of skills needed to obtain and retain competitive employment.
• Perdido Bay Tribe; SE Lower Muscogee Creek, (Escambia/Santa Rosa Counties) in the amount of $40,700 to establish the Paths to Creative Living and Quality of Life for Native Americans program, which will provide employment and cultural awareness for Native Americans with disabilities and individuals with disabilities residing in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
• The Christian Sharing Center, (Seminole County) in the amount of $35,000 to hire a Case Worker for individuals with disabilities who will assist in employment placement.

Over $520,000 Awarded in Grants During the First and Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2007

During the first and second quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, The Able Trust awarded more than $520,000 to non-profit agencies across the state of Florida. These awarded grants will assist more than 15 nonprofit organizations with the employment of people with disabilities. During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, The Able Trust awarded $257,092 in grants to eight nonprofit agencies. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, The Able Trust awarded $263,487 to seven nonprofit agencies. In turn, The Able Trust has awarded more than $2 million in grants for the 2006 calendar year.

The Able Trust awarded grant funding to the following agencies during the first quarter of the 2007 Fiscal Year:

• Florida Institute of Rehabilitation Education (FIRE) for People Who Are Visually Impaired or Blind, (Leon County) in the amount of $46,768 to enhance the organization's computer lab designed to provide employability resources, career training and job search resources for individuals with visual impairments.
• Independent Living Foundation, Inc., (Duval County) in the amount of $5,000 to provide financial support for the 2nd Annual First Coast Youth Disability Conference, a one-day event designed to bring information and presentations to increase disability awareness and provide youth with disabilities and their parents informational sessions focused on employment readiness and independent living.
• Miami-Dade Business Leadership Network, (Dade County) in the amount of $35,000 to create an internship program dedicated to providing employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities and change employer's attitudes about hiring persons with disabilities.
• Osceola ARC, Inc., (Osceola County) in the amount of $31,990 to hire an Employment Trainer who will specialize in securing jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities and stabilizing them in their workplace.
• PARC, (Pinellas County) in the amount of $35,000 to hire an Employment Specialist who will provide employment assistance for persons with disabilities who need long-term aid after state funding has been discontinued.
• Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, (Hillsborough County) in the amount of $34,844 to support a Placement Specialist who will help individuals with vision impairments gain job readiness skills and employment in Hillsborough County.
• Epilepsy Services of West Central Florida, (Hillsborough County) in the amount of $33,190 to create and support an Employment Services program, which will provide persons with seizure disorders individualized employment placement and career development assistance.
• Jackson County Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc., (Jackson County) in the amount of $35,300 to provide people with disabilities in Jackson County, the opportunity to participate in pre-employment training and job exploration to better assist them in gaining employment in the community.

The Able Trust awarded grant funding to the following agencies during the second quarter of the 2007 Fiscal Year:

• Ability 1st, (Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla- Rural Counties) in the amount of $21,082 to provide a Disability Sensitivity Awareness program to area businesses in order to gain more employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the three county areas of Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla counties.
• Academics of Educational Excellence, Inc., (Hillsborough County) in the amount of $35,052 to provide vocational on-site job training to individuals with disabilities who are interested in gaining employment.
• ARC Bradford, (Bradford County) in the amount of $45,498 to provide a full-time Job Developer who will develop new job sites and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• ARC Ridge Area, (Highlands County) in the amount of $39,588 to establish an Employment Skills program to provide effective vocational training in the necessary skills to successfully gain competitive employment.
• Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center, (Broward County) in the amount of $80,318 to provide a two year comprehensive employment skills training and placement services program to individuals with disabilities.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Northeast Florida, Inc., (Duval County) in the amount of $31,949 to provide for a Business Developer and Employability Coach who will complete outreach to the business community and assist individuals with disabilities in gaining employment.
• Victory Living Programs, (Broward County) in the amount of $10,000 to provide emergency operational funds due to an unforeseen shortage. For more information about The Able Trust Grants Program, visit www.abletrust.org.

The Able Trust Awards $245,647 In Grants During The Fourth Quarter Of Fiscal Year 2006

The Able Trust recently awarded $245,647 in grants during the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2006 to seven nonprofit agencies across the state of Florida. Grants will assist in the employment of people with disabilities. The following agencies received funding for their programs:

• ACT Corporation (Volusia County), in the amount of $34,437 to hire a Project Coordinator to secure competitive employment contracts for program participants with disabilities;

• Epilepsy Association of Central Florida (Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties), in the amount of $34,780 to expand an Employment Services Program to include financial and transportation training to help secure future employment for individuals with disabilities;
• Horizons of Okaloosa County, Inc. (Okaloosa County), in the amount of $42,086 to hire a Career Specialist to implement employability curriculum and career development program for people with disabilities;
• Palm Beach Habilitation Center (Palm Beach County), in the amount of $34,984, to employ a Mobile Work Crew Supervisor who will prepare individuals with disabilities to enter the competitive workplace;
• Pathways to Independence, Inc (Palm Beach County), in the amount of $30,320, to maintain and expand the Ebay based thrift shop, Pathway’s Virtual Thrift Shop which provides employment training to people with disabilities;
• PSI Family Services of Florida, Inc. (Duval County), in the amount of $34, 040, to hire an Inclusion Specialist to secure volunteer and internship positions to increase social competence and help participants with disabilities transition to community-based employment; and
• Victory Living Programs (Broward County), in the amount of $35,000, to provide comprehensive vocational assessment for individuals with disabilities interested in gaining and retaining competitive employment.

Second and Third Quarter Grant Awards Total Over $640,000

The Able Trust awarded grants to six agencies totaling $306,651 during the third quarter for Fiscal Year 2006. These grants will be used to develop or expand programs geared toward employing people with disabilities.

• ARC Palm Beach County, (Palm Beach County), $39, 875 to expand to vocational assessment, training and job preparation program that prepares people with disabilities to secure competitive employment;
• Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, (Alachua County), $37,374 to start a Supported Employment Program that will provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to gain competitive employment within the community;
• Central Florida Deaf Services, Inc., (Polk County), $33,057 to provide a specialized career and education program for employment-age students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Hillsborough Association for Retarded Citizens, (Hillsborough County), $75,000 to allow for additional employment assistance for individuals in supported employment who need long-term aid after state funding has stopped;
• MACTown, Inc., (Miami-Dade County), $70,000 over a two year period, to start a franchise fast food restaurant that will provide employment skills training and placement for individuals with disabilities in the Little Haiti area; and
• WORC/ United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida, (Volusia County), $51,345 to begin a Transitional Employment Services program to improve the level of education and training of individuals with developmental disabilities, provide work experience in a real-world setting and result in community-based job placements.

The Able Trust Awards Over $330,000 In Grants For Second Quarter OF Fiscal Year 2006

The Able Trust recently awarded ten agencies around the state of Florida with grant funding totaling $337,166 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2006. These grants will be used to develop programs geared toward employing people with disabilities. The awarded agencies are as follow:

• Florida Development Disabilities Council, Inc., (Statewide), $27,206 to support the 2006 Partners in Transition Summit which will facilitate teams in planning transition activities and goals for students with disabilities so that they may gain their desired post-school outcome;
• Grove House Supportive Services, (Duval County), $40,450 to provide individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries the support necessary to obtain and retain employment;
• I Can Grow, Inc., (Jackson, Holmes and Washington Counties), $35,000 to allow for the expansion and continuation of the I Can Grow program that provides individuals with disabilities experience and workplace skills in an agricultural setting and profession;
• Lighthouse Central Florida, (Orange County), $35,000 to develop a job club and provide job readiness and job placement services for individuals with disabilities;
• Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County, Inc., (Palm Beach County), $25,000 to assist in providing mentorship positions for consumers with mental health disabilities to learn workplace skills and behavior and gain confidence in rejoining the community workforce;
• Northwest Behavioral Health Services, (Duval County), $36,000 to hire an Employment Specialist to provide job placement services for individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities;
• Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation, (Pasco County), $25,600 to provide young adults with hearing impairments with information and skills to overcome workplace barriers and gain employment;
• St. Lucie County School District, (St. Lucie County), $32,707 to provide employment and advocacy training and experience to students with disabilities ages 18-22 in the St. Lucie School District;
• Tallahassee Community College Foundation, (Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla Counties), $42,813 to create a Multisensorial Study Strategies Tool Kit for tutors who will work with students with Dyslexia/Learning Disabilities to enhance their educational and future employment experiences; and
• The Center for Independence, Inc., (Pasco County), $31,940 to hire a follow-along Job Coach to help stabilize existing employment positions of individuals with disabilities in Eastern Pasco County.

The Able Trust Begins First Quarter Of FY 06 With $305,048 In Grant Awards

The Able Trust recently awarded ten agencies around the state of Florida with grant funding totaling more than $305,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006. These grants will be used to develop programs geared toward employing people with disabilities. The awarded agencies are as follow:

• American Alliance for People with Disabilities, Inc., (Broward & Palm Beach Counties), $35,000 to open an employment office in Broward County and expand an office in Palm Beach County that will provide employment and job retention services to individuals with disabilities;
• ARC Jacksonville, (Duval County), $39,753 to create a program to provide individuals with disabilities attending Adult Day Training (ADT) with job skills and support;
• ARC of Martin County, Inc., (Martin County), $25,000 to provide for a Community Resource Specialist who will help to coordinate the transition of individuals in the ADT program to community employment;
• Children’s Haven and Adult Community Services, Inc., (Manatee County), $30,000 to provide for a Work Trek Transition Specialist to provide job development/placement, job coaching, job retention and career planning for individuals with disabilities;
• Creative Clay, (Pinellas County), $33,144 to help fund the start-up of ART Biz 2, which will take licensed designs of members with disabilities onto retail merchandise for sale via multiple outlets;
• Florida Lions Conklin Center for the blind, (Volusia County), $35,000 to assist in the expansion of the employment program for individuals who are multihandicapped blind;
• Independent Living Foundation, Inc., (Duval County), $10,000 to support the 1st annual youth program assisting students with disabilities navigate the education and beginning the workplace careers;
• North Florida Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, (Duval, Alachua, Leon and Escambia Counties), $25,700 to provide employment planning and stabilization assistance to individuals with MS in the workplace in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tallahassee and Pensacola;
• Tri-County Community Council, (Jackson, Walton, Washington and Holmes Counties), $36,401 to support employment services for people with disabilities in rural county areas; and
• Van Gogh’s Palette, Inc., (Pinellas County), $35,050 to establish a group Transitional Employment program for people with disabilities that would build business relationships, develop employment agreements with an area business and work side by side in a coaching/mentoring relationship with the members.

The Able Trust Makes Grant Awards to Help Floridians with Disabilities Enter the Workforce

Seven Nonprofit Agencies Receive over $300,000 to Provide Employment Services

The Able Trust recently awarded $307,436 in grants during the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2005. These grants were made to seven nonprofit agencies and one individual to assist with the employment of Floridians with disabilities. The following agencies received grant awards for these purposes:

• Abilities of Florida (Pinellas County), in the amount of $44, 805 to provide expanded job placement services for individuals with disabilities who are homeless;
• Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers -ARC Broward (Broward County), in the amount of $45, 820 to expand its commercial kitchen and add a certified culinary instructor to provide clients with disabilities with real culinary work experience to prepare them for job placement in the restaurant industry;
• Brevard Achievement Center (Brevard County), in the amount of $38,871 to hire an internship coordinator who will work with students with learning disabilities by establishing a continuum of employment experiences for the students’ vocational needs;
• Deaf Service Bureau of West Central Florida (Hillsborough, Pasco and Orange Counties), in the amount of $45,278 to hire a Spanish-speaking employment placement staff to assist individuals with disabilities in the three-county area with gaining employment;
• Epilepsy Association of Central Florida (Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard Counties), in the amount of $33,295 to provide a community-based work placement and skills training program for individuals with epilepsy;
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward County (Broward County), in the amount of $64,417 to provide job readiness training and employability opportunities for individuals with sickle cell anemia; and
• Working Innovations, Inc. (Palm Beach County), in the amount of $34,500 to assist individuals with disabilities with setting up micro-enterprises.

The Able Trust Announces Third Quarter Grant Awards

During the third quarter of the 2005 fiscal year, The Able Trust awarded $330,669 to ten nonprofit agencies across Florida. The money awarded will help fund these organizations who have implemented programs and positions geared toward employing people with disabilities.

The following agencies received funding from The Able Trust:

• ARC Manasota (Manatee County), received $32,549 to support the position of a Job Coach who will work with individuals to explore different available jobs in the community and teach a variety of pre-employment skills;
• ARC Pinellas (Pinellas County), awarded $33,093 to create a Peer Mentoring Program to facilitate the success of individuals placed into community jobs by its employment program;
• ARC Sunrise of Lake County, Inc. (Lake County), was granted $33,000 to provide an Employment Trainer who will offer immediate training and skills direction to individuals in the employment program;
• Center for Independent Living in Central Florida, Inc. (Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties), received $40,532 to expand its employment program by hiring a Business Development Specialist who will focus on strengthening local business relationships to increase the number of individuals gaining employment;
• Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast (Okaloosa County), awarded $49,995 to assist in the transition process for graduating students with disabilities into the work world;
• Lakeside Alternatives (Orange County), received $40,000 to expand its Supported Employment services by offering pre-vocational skills and vocational training to individuals with disabilities to enhance their ability to gain employment;
• Office for Farmwork Ministry (Orange County), awarded $35,000 to create a Career Lab/Resource Room and hire a Transition Specialist to recruit and identify students with disabilities and to work one-on-one with the students on selecting appropriate career goals and plans;
• Pathways to Independence, Inc. (Palm Beach County), received $32,500 in start-up funds to create an online thrift shop for program participants to learn business and employment skills utilizing EBay;
• Rotary Youth Camp (Gadsden and Leon counties), awarded $5,000 to pay wages for previous campers to come back and be a part of the camp workforce in leadership positions as counselors for enhanced work experience; and
• Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center (Broward County), awarded $29,000 to provide an expansion of the vocational program curriculum to successfully assist individuals in gaining employment.

The Able Trust Awards Over $465,000 In Grants To Begin 2005 Fiscal Year

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2005, The Able Trust granted $465,396 to thirteen non-profit agencies across the state of Florida. The money awarded will assist these organizations with the employment of people with disabilities. These agencies received funding from The Able Trust:

• Ability 1st (Tallahassee- Leon County), in the amount of $48,957 to create an individualized employment program for people with mental health disabilities;
• The ARC of Nassau County (Yulee- Nassau County), in the amount of $30,700 to create a job readiness skills training program which will lead to job placement for individuals with disabilities;
• The ARC of Nature Coast (Brooksville- Hernando County), in the amount of $29,050 to expand its employment program for individuals with disabilities into eastern Pasco and eastern Hernando Counties;
• The Center for Independence (New Port Richey- Pasco County), in the amount of $31,252 to create a supported employment program for individuals with developmental disabilities;
• Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (North Fort Myers- Charlotte County), in the amount of $43,000 to create an employment specialist position to serve individuals with disabilities in Charlotte County;
• Hillsborough ARC (Tampa- Hillsborough County), in the amount of $50,000 to provide funding for its Maintaining Long-Term Employment Program for Hillsborough County residents with developmental disabilities;
• I Can Grow, Inc. (Cottondale- Jackson County), in the amount of $35,000 to provide a vocational training program in agriculture and animal husbandry for Jackson County residents with disabilities;
• Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach- Palm Beach County), in the amount of $24,000 to create a Wellness Recovery Action Planning Program for Palm Beach County residents with mental health disabilities and substance abuse issues;
• Palm Beach Habilitation Center (Lake Worth- Palm Beach County), in the amount of $44, 428 to create a Computer Training Employment program that will provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to gain computer skills;
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale- Broward County), in the amount of $32,000 provide supportive services to high school students ages 15-18 with sickle cell disease;
• Sunrise Opportunities (Miami- Miami-Dade County), in the amount of $12,009 to replace outdated equipment that is used for their Adult Day Training Program for Miami-Dade County residents with disabilities;
• Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind (Tampa- Hillsborough County), in the amount of $35,000 to hire a computer teacher to instruct residents of Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties with visual impairments; and
• United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay (Tampa- Hillsborough County), in the amount of $50,000 to provide supported employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Able Trust Awards Over $375,000 In Grants To End Its Fiscal Year 2004

The Able Trust recently awarded $376,165 in grants during the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2004 to eight nonprofit agencies across the state of Florida. Grants will assist these organizations with the employment of people with disabilities. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• The ARC of Palm Beach County (Riviera Beach - Palm Beach County), in the amount of $32,750 to employ a job coach to provide full follow along services to individuals with disabilities desiring employment;
• The ARC of Putnam County (Palatka - Putnam County), in the amount of $53,207 to employ eight job developers to provide transitioning services for individuals with disabilities entering into their first jobs;
• CARD- Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (Tampa – Hillsborough), in the amount of $29,487 to provide technical assistance, training, resources and networking for community rehabilitation providers;
• Community Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Jacksonville - Duval County), in the amount of $57,098 to provide career placement support, job coaching and on-the-job training to individuals with mental illness, HIV/AIDS or drug and alcohol addiction;
• Quest, Inc. (Orlando - Orange County), in the amount of $44,525 to employ a job developer who will act as a liaison between community businesses and individuals with disabilities seeking employment;
• Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Inc. (Fort Myers - Lee County), in the amount of $39,098 to provide job training and placement for individuals with mental disabilities who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction;
• The Spina Bifida Association of Jacksonville, Inc. (Jacksonville – Union, Liberty, Lafayette and Hamilton counties), in the amount of $45,000 to provide employment services to individuals with Spina Bifida in the underserved counties of Union, Liberty, Lafayette and Hamilton; and
• United Ceberal Palsy of Northwest Florida, Inc. (Pensacola - Escambia County), in the amount of $65,000 to employ a Job Developer to assist in creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities and to help fund the existing transition program.

The Able Trust Announces Third Quarter Grant Awards for Fiscal Year 2004

The Able Trust recently awarded $312,653in grants to nine nonprofit agencies in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• CARC- Advocates for Citizens with Disabilities (Lake City – Columbia County), in the amount of $32,128, funds to establish a Job Club with a Job Coach as its director to assist individuals with disabilities in Columbia county get better quality jobs in the community.
• Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (Gainesville – Alachua County), in the amount of $45,387 Funds to create a competitive employment placement program for individuals with disabilities in Alachua County.
• Center for the Visually Impaired (Daytona Beach - Volusia County), in the amount of $36,128 Funds to provide a Job Readiness and Social Skills program for transitioning young adults to the workplace while being mentored by Seniors with similar vision impairments.
• CITE- Center for Independence, Tech & Education (Orlando – Orange County) in the amount of $35,000 to expand an employment program for individuals with significant vision disabilities enabling them to live full and independent lives in the community.
• Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (Tallahassee – Statewide), in the amount of $27,475 to support Partners In Transition conference with ADA Accommodations and Content Experts for the training of 19 local leadership teams that will implement the Statewide strategic plan for improved transition services for individuals with disabilities.
• Horizons of Okaloosa County, Inc. (Ft. Walton Beach – Okaloosa County), in the amount of $27,765 to provide follow along services to individuals with disabilities needing such services in their supported employment.
• Jp Expressions Ministries, Inc. (Jacksonville – Duval County), in the amount of $35,240, to train and place at least 30 individuals with disabilities from downtown and North Jacksonville in competitive employment in the community.
• Pine Castle, Inc. (Jacksonville – Duval County), in the amount of $30,530, to create a position of a Job Development Specialist who will work with employers to create more positions for individuals with disabilities in a two county area.
• Return to Work (R2W) (Port Charlotte – Charlotte County), in the amount of $43,000, Funds to support a job placement program for persons who are “homebound” with national companies.

The Able Trust Announces Second Quarter Grant Awards for Fiscal Year 2004

The Able Trust recently awarded $363,745 in grants to eight agencies and one individual for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2004. Grants were awarded to these agencies for the following purposes:

• 20/200 Fellowship, Inc. (Martin County), $40,000 to support the expanding of agency services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired;
• ARC Gateway, Inc. (Escambia County), $37,674 to provide follow along services for those individuals utilizing the Supported Employment Program;
• Dyslexia Research Institute (Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden & Jefferson Counties), $53,000 to provide for literacy and life-skills training to assist individuals with learning disabilities to to gain employment;
• Goodwill Foundation (Sarasota & Manatee Counties), $100,000 to support a two-year program providing intensive coaching to assist individuals with disabilities with eliminating employment barriers;
• Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center (Broward County), $35,600 to provide for GED, vocational skills training and job placement for individuals dually diagnosed recovering from substance abuse;
• Tri-County Community Council (Holmes, Jackson, Walton & Washington Counties), $35,245 to provide for a Project Coordinator to assist individuals with disabilities with gaining employment in four rural counties;
• Muscogee Nation of Florida (Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties), $30,000 to support several job fairs to bring employers and Native Americans with disabilities who are seeking jobs together; and
• Perdido Bay Tribe (Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties), $30,000 to support the Cultural Heritage and Resource Center, which will provide Native Americans with disabilities with job training, education and placement in the Pensacola community.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004

The Able Trust recently awarded $396,914 in grants to eleven nonprofit agencies across the State of Florida to assist with the employment of people with disabilities. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• Arc Jacksonville (Duval County), $43,312 to hire a Job Development Specialist who will facilitate the placement of individuals with disabilities into a Supported Employment position;
• ARC Ridge Area (Avon Park, Highlands County), $35,000 to develop a Community Employment Office that will provide job placement for individuals in Highlands County;
• Central Florida Deaf Services, Inc., (Lakeland, Polk County), $32,500 to develop coordinated interpreting services to support employment activities for clients, such as job interviews, staff relation issues, and situational needs dealing with communication;
• Children's Haven and Adult Community Services, (Sarasota, Sarasota County), $40,000 to develop a system for mobile vocational guidance that will provide clients the opportunity to participate in the best employment opportunity;
• Creative Clay Inc., (St. Petersburg, Pinellas County), $25,000 to provide for the marketing and commercial sale of client artwork, and teaching clients business skills to facilitate the process;
• Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay, Inc., (Seminole, Pinellas County), $35,000 to provide a Life Skills and Employment Success Training program to individuals with deafness and hearing loss;
• Easter Seals of Broward County (Plantation, Fl), $35,000 to provide for a Job Placement Specialist to serve those individuals seeking employment with assessment and placement;
• Easter Seals Miami-Dade (Dade County), $34,252 to provide for vocational evaluation equipment and supplies to serve those with disabilities seeking employment;
• Epilepsy Services of Southwest Florida (Naples, Sarasota County), $39,630 to provide computer training to individuals with epilepsy to aide in employment;
• Grove House of Jacksonville, Inc., (Duval County), $42,220 to create an Employer Liaison who will increase the employment opportunities and establish quality positions with new companies; and
• Van Gogh's Palette, Inc., (Pinellas Park, Pinellas County), $35,000 to provide transitional employment opportunities for persons with severe and persistent mental illness.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

The Able Trust recently awarded $405,300 in grants to ten organizations to help with the employment of people with disabilities. These organizations received funding for the following projects:

• Abilities Inc. of Florida (Statewide), $48,228 to provide assistance and guidance to individuals with disabilities interested in small business ventures;
• ARC St. Lucie (St. Lucie County), $34,101 to provide for the startup of a thrift and bead retail store that will provide ARC clients with retail experience that can be utilized during community employment;
• Beacon College (Lake County), $47,200 to offer continuing education and training to students in need of further development for career planning, skill development, social skill development, personal finance and etiquette;
• Deaf Service Bureau of West Central Florida (Pasco County), $45,000 to employ employment placement staff for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in a nine county area of central and southeast Florida;
• Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (Statewide), $16,700 to provide support in a multi-agency effort at creating a strategic statewide plan and conference addressing the needs of a comprehensive transition curriculum and plan for students with disabilities;
• Hillsborough County Association for Retarded Citizens (Hillsborough County), $45,000 to provide for employment counselors to conduct follow-along services to individuals with developmental disabilities in community employment;
• Learning Experience School (Dade County), $45,000 to support the Job Services Project for students and young adults with disabilities to increase their employment in the community;
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward County (Broward County), $46,066 to provide transition for youth and young adults with sickle cell disease so they may acquire employment skills and placement;
• Spina Bifida Association of Jacksonville (Statewide), $43,005 to support a statewide employment campaign to increase the employment opportunities for the association’s members; and
• Webb Center for Independent Living (Duval County), $35,000 to support the STEPS program, which provides job training and vocational skills development for young adults with disabilities in transition.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

The Able Trust recently awarded $191,640 in grants to five nonprofit agencies in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• ARC Nature Coast (Brooksville, Hernando County) $32,887 in funds to hire additional support and to expand the employment program to better support the needs of individuals with disabilities placed on the job;
• ARC of Putnam (Palatka, Putnam County) $44,144 in funds to hire a Job Development Specialist who will work with individuals with severe physical disabilities to facilitate employment in the community;
• Community Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Jacksonville, Duval County) $46,969 to provide individuals living with co-occurring disorders, career planning and placement services yielding independence for the individuals served;
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of Northwest Florida (Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton County) $32,400 in funds to hire a fulltime interpreter that will allow the newly hired executive director to more efficiently administer his duties; and
• Jp Expression Ministries, Inc. (Jacksonville, Duval county) $35,240 to provide employment training and placement to thirty individuals with disabilities in the Jacksonville area.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003

The Able Trust recently awarded $357,655 in grants to nine nonprofit agencies and two individuals in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), University of South Florida (Tampa, Hillsborough County) $50,000 for a program that will offer technical assistance, training expertise and outreach to all community providers who provide services to those with autism;
• Center for Visually Impaired (Daytona Beach, Volusia County) $26,950 for a five-phase employment program to provide persons with blindness and other disabilities in the Volusia County area;
• Community Committee for Developmental Handicaps (Miami, Dade County) $22,008 to provide Opening Doors training to one-stop center employees and new consumers in the Miami area;
• Florida Lions Conklin Centers for the Blind (Orange and Volusia County) $45,000 to provide community-based supported employment and supported living that will result in long term employment for multi-handicapped blind Floridians in the Daytona Beach and Orlando area;
• La Amistad Foundation, Inc. (Orlando, Orange county) $41,867 to employ a Consumer Work Program Coordinator who will secure meaningful work for residents of the program;
• Lighthouse of Broward County, Inc. (Lighthouse Point, Broward County) $35,000 to employ a vocational counselor who will provide job readiness assessment, job developing and placement into the community;
• Manasota ARC (Bradenton, Manatee County) $45,000 to provide employment and follow-along services to individuals in the Manatee area;
• Miami Lighthouse for the Blind (Miami, Dade County) $28,830 for equipment purchases towards a continuing education program for the Access/Assistive Technology computer lab; and
• United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay, Inc. (Tampa, Hillsborough County) $40,000 to provide follow-along services for qualified individuals with developmental disabilities.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002

The Able Trust recently awarded $336,870 in grants to eight nonprofit agencies in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• ARC of St. Johns (St. Augustine/St, Johns County) $56,652 to finance a program where Career Assessment Specialists will aid middle and high school students in developing career choices and help them choose the corresponding class work to obtain their goals;
• Grove House of Jacksonville, Inc. (Jacksonville/Duval County) $36,050 to assist individuals with developmental and acquired disabilities in gaining competitive employment skills through a vocational training project- the Coffee Cart Employment Initiative;
• Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys, Inc. (Marathon/Monroe County) $50,000 to develop a program that will provide employment placement for clients with mental illnesses;
• Leon ARC (Tallahassee/Leon County) $31,869 to develop a summer employment program for persons with developmental disabilities. The program will provide educational and practical curriculum for participants to successfully integrate into their community via employment;
• Literacy Council of Sarasota, Inc. (Sarasota/Sarasota County) $11,749 to provide screening and instruction for their clients with learning disabilities;
• Palm Beach Habilitation Center (Lake Worth/Palm Beach County) $61,250 to support the salaries of the coordinator and work supervisor for a new center that will provide employment services to people with disabilities;
• Samuel’s House (Key West/Monroe County) $50,000 to develop a program that will provide individuals with disabilities on-the-job training in a retail setting; and
• Sunrise Community of Collier County (Naples/Collier County) $39,300 to provide computer-assisted video and other multi-media instruction to individuals with developmental disabilities multi-media instruction to individuals with developmental disabilities who are interested in obtaining employment.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002

The Able Trust recently awarded $235,071 in grants to five nonprofit agencies and five individuals with disabilities in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• ARC Gateway, Inc. (Escambia County) $24,000 to provide follow along services in supported employment situations;
• Jewish Community Services of South Florida, Inc. (Dade County) $73,987 for a two year project to expand Project Job Link;
• North Florida Chapter National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Duval County) $20,000 to assist students with multiple sclerosis with job skills training, placement and advocacy;
• PMM Rehabilitation, Inc. (Hillsborough County) $25,000 to provide specialized job placements services for individuals with brain injuries; and
• Suncoast Health Council, Inc. (Pinellas County) $50,689 to partially fund an employment program that will target adults with Cystic Fibrosis in need of employment placement.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002

The Able Trust recently awarded $389,514 in grants to eleven nonprofit agencies and two individuals with disabilities in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida (Gainesville/Serving Marion County) $40,000 to begin the Rural Partnerships project which will fund employment placement and provide transition services for students with disabilities living in rural areas;
• Florida International University (Miami/Dade County) $37,590 to begin Reading to Learn: A Study on Critical Reading Strategies for Learning Disabled Students, which will teach participants reading strategies and include follow-up of GPA's to track the students' progress;
• Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Florida (Jacksonville/Duval County) $52,555 to establish a full-time Director of Development and Career Placement to ensure continued funding for future programs;
• Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce (Jacksonville/Duval County) $35,222 to expand a job information bank that connects Chamber-member employers to people with disabilities in search of employment;
• Mental Health Community Centers, Inc. (Sarasota/Sarasota County) $24,000 to hire a program specialist who will begin a program to provide jobs for adults with mental illness;
• Muscogee Nation of Florida (Bruce/Escambia County) $15,000 to assess the Native American population in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and compile a central database of Native Americans with disabilities;
• New Life Outreach Center, Inc. (Tallahassee/Leon County) $33,850 to begin a program designed to provide vocational rehabilitation services, social rehabilitation and other aspects of life management for adults with disabilities;
• Sunrise ARC of Lake County, Inc. (Eustis/Lake County) $42,672 to hire a Transition Specialist who will work with individuals with disabilities to provide extensive on-the-job support to help clients maintain current jobs;
• The Watson Center (Largo/Pinellas County) $25,181 to establish a training lab that will provide a realistic office setting where participants can gain job readiness and job maintenance training, learn computer skills and foster independence;
• Tri-County Community Council, Inc. (Bonifay/Holmes County) $32,444 to hire a program coordinator for the Tri-County ABLE Connections project, which provides employment placement for persons with disabilities living in the rural areas and
• VSA Arts of Florida, Inc. (Statewide) $35,000 to support a statewide registry for artists and aspiring-artists with disabilities to assist these individuals in gaining meaningful employment.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES GRANT AWARDS FOR FIRST QUARTER/FISCAL YEAR 2002

The Able Trust recently awarded $533,659 in grants to thirteen nonprofit agencies and three individuals with disabilities in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• Bethune-Cookman College (Daytona Beach/Volusia County) $100,000 to research 2000 Census data with relation to African Americans with disabilities and their employment status;
• The Center for Independent Living of Northwest Florida, Inc. (Pensacola/Escambia County) $24,000 to help coordinate and plan the Disability Summit Council which will provide a forum for businesses and agencies serving people with disabilities to share resources and develop relationships that will help qualified people with disabilities to enter the workforce;
• Central Florida Deaf Services (Lakeland, Polk County) $50,000 to hire a Client Specialist, Interpreter and Employment Placement Educator who will recruit, train and help place individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Creative Clay (St. Petersburg/Pinellas County) $10,000 to develop a program entitled Artlink, which will pair professional artists and students with disabilities;
• The Deaf Service Center of Pasco/Hernando County, Inc. (Port Richey/Pasco/Hernando County) $44,585 to hire a Client Services Manager and Case Manager, who will help develop the Independent Skills and Employability for Deaf Adults project. These new employees will work with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or late deafened to provide employment, advocacy and independent living skills for its clients and also assist employers in gaining awareness and providing accommodations for people with disabilities;
• Dyslexia Research Institute (Tallahassee/Big Bend) $40,423 to provide a training program for dyslexic adults with literacy and life skills, as well as offer job counseling and placement;
• The Florida State Rural Development Council (Tallahassee/Big Bend) $10,665 to purchase modems for donated equipment to develop the Rural Florida School-to-Work Transition Project. The updated computers and Internet service will be donated to rural high school students with disabilities who will be paired with college mentors to help the students develop relationships, pursue academic goals and develop plans for future employment;
• Goodwill Foundation (Sarasota/Sarasota County) $30,000 to hire a Job Literacy Program Coordinator to begin the Job Literacy Program, which will use one-on-one tutoring methods to help eliminate employment barriers and increase on-the-job performance for adults with learning disabilities;
• Independence for the Blind of West Florida, Inc. (Panama City/Bay County) $39,343 to hire a computer technology specialist, vocational rehabilitation specialist and an orientation and mobility instructor to help develop the Vocational Rehabilitation and Computer Training Center for blind/visually impaired individuals;
• Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. (West Palm Beach/Palm Beach County) $47,613 to hire a full-time attorney to coordinate and develop the Disabilities Law Project, which focuses on helping people with disabilities achieve or retain meaningful employment and gain access to adequate health care;
• Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Inc. (Ft. Myers/Lee County) $44,000 to hire a Registered Occupational Therapist who will work with individuals in their treatment programs and develop the Transitional Living Occupational Therapy Program; and
• The Webb Center, Inc. (Jacksonville/Duval County) $39,350 to develop the STEPS project (Successful Transition Evolves from Positive Steps) which provides career and vocational development training for young adults with disabilities.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001

The Able Trust recently awarded $299,237 in grants to seven nonprofit agencies and five individuals with disabilities in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• ARC of Alachua County, Inc. (Gainesville/Alachua County) 28,875 to hire an Employment Specialist who will be responsible for overseeing the placement and training of five new individuals with developmental disabilities;
• Bayview Center for Mental Health, Inc. (Miami/Dade County) $51,973 to help create a computer-training lab for clients with psychiatric disabilities. The lab will include a Computer Specialist and equipment that will allow the Center to train thirty participants for employment in a computer-related field;
• Community Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Jacksonville/Duval County) $50,553 to help support a job training and placement program entitled A.B.E.T. C.H.A.N.C.E.S. (Applied Business Education and Training for Consumers to Handle Appropriate New Changes Environments and Systems) for individuals with HIV/AIDS and Vocational Rehabilitation clients;
• The Epilepsy Services of North Central Florida (ESNCF) (Gainesville/Alachua County) $54,463 to create a Job Club for participants with epilepsy to pursue meaningful and sustained employment. The program will include placement, support and follow-up with an Employment Specialist for participants;
• Possibilities Foundation, Inc. (Miami/Dade County) $25,000 to hire an Employment Specialist to assist participants in a printing program entitled Project Ink. The program educates students with disabilities age sixteen and older in bindery, finishing, shipping, prepress, preparation, and advanced print areas to prepare them for future employment;
• The Rainbow Connection for the Deaf, Inc. (Hudson/Pasco County) $34,320 to hire four hearing impaired individuals in the areas of web design, grants research and intake. The goal of the program is supply employment for these individuals while educating the deaf community and helping to stimulate growth of The Rainbow Connection; and
• The Spina Bifida Association of Jacksonville, Inc. (Jacksonville/Duval County) $33,153 to support a Program Coordinator and purchase technical equipment to educate participants in the Working for Independence program. The program will teach participants basic office and computer skills while providing placement, support and follow-up for residents with Spina Bifida.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001

The Able Trust recently awarded $173, 706 in grants to five nonprofit agencies and two individuals with disabilities in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following programs:

• Adaptive Health and Wellness Center, Inc., (Port St. Lucie/St. Lucie County), $50,000 to employ a job developer and community liaison to start an employment component of this new organization;
• ARC Nature Coast (Brooksville/Hernando County), $42,950 to employ a job developer and assist with marketing initiatives that will promote supported employment with area businesses;
• Pyramid, Inc. Tallahassee (Tallahassee/Leon County), $26,300 to purchase custom computers and computer programs for persons with severe disabilities, so that supported and independent employment can occur;
• Kenny's Place of Marion County, Inc. (Ocala/Marion County), $15,000 to help support a program that will assist adults with developmental disabilities learn vocational skills while training for a job in the field of horticulture.
• Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (Tallahassee/Leon County), $29,456 to conduct regional workshops in Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Tallahassee to inform agencies and individuals about Ticket to Work, a program initiated by the Social Security Administration.

THE ABLE TRUST ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER GRANT AWARDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001

The Able Trust recently awarded $428,299 in grants to ten nonprofit agencies and five individuals with disabilities in Florida for employment-related purposes. These agencies received funding for the following purposes:

• ARC of St. Johns (St. Augustine, St. Johns County), $26,913 to establish a Work Mentorship Program in St. Johns county that will maintain a roster of employers interested in participating in an on-going mentorship program and provide for job placement for high school seniors.
• Brevard Achievement Center (Rockledge, Brevard County),$5,000 to provide additional print materials for a program providing students with disabilities an introduction to local area business to give the students an earlier introduction to the working world.
• Children's Haven and Adult Community Services, Inc. (Sarasota, Sarasota County), $24,100 for the equipment and tools necessary to carry out a contract that will provide jobs for 18 individuals with disabilities.
• Conklin Center for Multihandicapped Blind (Daytona Beach, Volusia County), $39,000 to offer a vocational/independent living support services program in the greater Daytona Beach area.
• Friends of the Deaf Service Center, Inc. (Pinellas, Pinellas County), $66,675 to provide rehabilitation and peer counseling on dealing with hearing loss for late deafened adults.
• Guardian Angels for Special Populations, Inc. (Cape Coral, Lee County), $25,967 to purchase cafeteria equipment to provide a new supported employment venue for clients.
• Learning Experience School, Inc. (Miami, Dade County), $35,000 to provide pre-vocational services to 37 students with three part-time job coaches and one full-time job coach.
• Leon County Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. (Tallahassee, Leon County), $30,000 to provide supportive services such as counseling, information, training followed by job readiness, vocational assessments and employment opportunities for individuals with sickle cell anemia.
• Manatee Association for Retarded Citizens (Bradenton, Manatee County), $51,567 to create a Community Service Program that will enhance employability skills of individuals transitioning from sheltered workshops and graduating from high school.
• VSA Arts of Florida, Inc. (Tampa, Hillsborough County), $50,000 to establish a resource to assist artists with disabilities. Online and hard copy publications, regional career days and technical assistance will enable participants to keep their careers on track and link them to employment opportunities.

The Able Trust Makes Awards for Third Quarter of Fiscal Year '99

The Able Trust awarded $87,057 in grants to agencies and individuals during the first quarter of the 1999 fiscal year.

These Florida-based agencies received grants in the following amounts and for the following purposes: Brain Injury Association, Broward and Manatee Counties, in the amount of $30,951 for an employment support program for persons with traumatic brain injury; CARC, Advocates for Persons with Disabilities, Columbia County, in the amount of $35,000 for funds to support a job placement program for persons with disabilities; Florida Center for the Blind, North Central Counties, in the amount of $3,275 for support of a Technology Fair incorporating employers, job-ready individuals and different technologies available for job accommodations; and Pine Castle, Inc., Duval County, in the amount of $7,500 for marketing funds to increase employer's awareness of Pine Castle's supported employment program.