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Veteran’s Day

(November 11, 2008)

Yellow ribbons adorn our trees. American flags fly a little bit higher. Solemn faces reflect on memories made, friends and family lost and the American spirit that’s never broken. On Veteran’s Day we are very proud to be Americans. During this day we have the opportunity to thank and honor those who have fought for us, for our families, for our country, and for worldwide peace. It is good to honor veterans on their special day, it is far better to find ways to honor and help them everyday. In recognition of that obligation, a statewide foundation known as The Able Trust began this year to assist veterans with disabilities to train for and obtain fair employment. The Able Trust does its work for these veterans through various Florida organizations that are developing veteran-directed programs and services.

With more than 1.8 million veterans living in Florida and the number growing, it is imperative that organizations and communities support employment opportunities for all veterans. They should fully expect that the country and communities they served will assist them in finding work so that they can support themselves and their families. As difficult economic times continue, it is more important now than ever to ensure that veterans with disabilities also have the assistance they need in finding and maintaining employment. The Able Trust and its grantee organizations work to meet this need and provide stability for these veterans as they return to establish careers and a good life back home.

It is the mission of The Able Trust to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through grant programs, public awareness, public education, and policy recommendations. The Able Trust through its funding efforts is able to award grants to non-profit agencies to initiate programs designed to gainfully employ those with disabilities. Through the years, over 23 million dollars have been granted and thousands of Floridians with disabilities have successfully joined or returned to the workforce – to the benefit of the individual, the community, and the economy of Florida.

During the time we set aside to honor our veterans, it is good to hear of their successes. Robert from Central Florida is a disabled veteran. After 20 years of building a successful career, Robert’s health was keeping him from doing what he loved. As a Certified Nurse Assistant, he could no longer lift patients to assist them with their daily needs. With the desire to still be productive and interact with members of the community, Robert sought help. He was assisted by a program for veterans with disabilities funded by an Able Trust grant, at the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida. Through his new interview skills, updated resume and job search assistance, Robert secured a position at Universal Studios. Robert is now more independent and is building an equally successful career in the entertainment industry.

Robert is just one of many veterans to improve his situation in collaboration with The Able Trust and its grantees. This year, eight other grantee organizations in Florida have begun innovative programs like the Center for Independent Living of Central Florida, with many successful outcomes.

In 2007, 22.6 million men and women ages 18 and over were classified as veterans in the US. Of that population, 2.6 million reported having a service-related disability. On this Veteran’s day, and every other day, let’s thank our troops by supporting them in a community where they are honored, appreciated and valued, not only as one of our country’s most vital resources, but also as managers, employees and co-workers laboring side by side with the rest of us to make this country great.

Susanne F. Homant
President & CEO, The Able Trust
Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities

(To learn more about The Able Trust and its grant-making process or to learn more about helping to advance its mission, email info@abletrust.org or call 888-838-ABLE.)