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$60,000 in Grant Funding To Aid Veterans with Disabilities in Miami-Dade County

(September 12, 2008)

The Able Trust award boosts employment opportunities for Florida veterans

Miami, FL (September 12, 2008) – In an effort to increase employment opportunities for Florida veterans with disabilities, The Able Trust (the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities) today presented a $60,000 grant award to the Center for Independent Living in South Florida. With more than 72,000 of the 1.7 million Florida veterans residing in Miami-Dade County, it is critical that Florida provide employment services to veterans and returning veterans with disabilities.

"The Able Trust is honored to support the dedicated men and women of our armed forces," said Susanne Homant, president & CEO of The Able Trust. "The Center's efforts play an essential role in assisting Florida veterans with disabilities to obtain employment."

The grant will assist the Center in expanding its services within its INVEST (Innovate & Navigate Veterans Employment via Support & Training) Program. The Center's mission is to raise veterans' level of dignity and self-respect, as well as increase their income and participation in the community through integrating veterans into the workforce.

Able Trust/Add Two

The Center for Independent Living in South Florida is one of nine organizations throughout the state granted $60,000 in funding over a one or two-year grant period from The Able Trust. In 2008, The Able Trust awarded a total of $540,000 to support Florida veterans with disabilities in fulfilling their employment goals.

"This grant will aid us in our mission to empower veterans with disabilities to determine and explore their abilities and find the employment of their choice," says Kelly Green, executive director of the Center for Independent Living in South Florida.

Since 1990, The Able Trust has awarded more than $22 million in grant funding to not-for-profit organizations and individuals throughout Florida for employment-related purposes, enabling more than 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year. Grant funding is given to nonprofit agencies that provide direct employment support to persons with disabilities and to individuals with disabilities for on-the-job accommodations or assistance to gain, retain or receive a promotion in employment. The Able Trust's grants are awarded throughout the year on a quarterly basis. For more information about The Able Trust Grants Program, please visit www.abletrust.org.