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The Able Trust Honors Outstanding Leaders during Behavioral Health Days

(February 6, 2008)

Senator Steven Wise with Dr. Susanne Homant

Dianne and Elliott Steele with Dr. Susanne Homant

The Able Trust recently honored Senator Steven Wise as its 2008 Exceptional Leader during Behavioral Health Days at Florida’s Capitol. Senator Wise is a founder of the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation Act – which established The Able Trust in 1990.

In recognizing him, president of The Able Trust, Dr. Susanne Homant stated “the growth of this Foundation is a testament to the foresight and continuous support of Senator Wise who truly believes that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities we all have to be employed and productive individuals.”

In addition to his long-time support to helping The Able Trust grow its grant activities and programs, Senator Wise was instrumental in establishing the Personal Care Attendant Pilot program, which allows people with disabilities to maintain their employment while receiving their daily support services. Wise also helped to create Florida’s first specialty Motorcycle License Plate, which raises over $300,000 for people with brain and spinal cord injuries, blindness and other disabilities.

The Able Trust also honored Dianne and Elliott Steele of the Florida Clubhouse Coalition as the 2008 Outstanding Advocates. Dianne and Elliott Steele, who established Vincent House Clubhouse in Pinellas Park in 2003, have served more than 1,000 individuals with mental illness by expanding the international clubhouse concept. Consumers of the program cannot say enough about the impact the Clubhouse has had on their lives – underscoring how they receive more than career development and life skills training, but a trusted friendship from the Steeles as well.

The Able Trust was pleased to honor the Steele’s, whose organization, Vincent House, has received several employment-related grants from The Able Trust. The Able Trust has awarded more than 60 grants to organizations that serve people with mental illness, mental health disabilities and drug or alcohol dependency. That amounts to nearly $2 million in grants to agencies who have helped these individuals train and retain jobs in their local communities.