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The Florida Grantor, Spring 2004

The Able Trust Recognizes 2004 Ability Award Winners for Outstanding Disability Practices

Individuals and organizations that have made exemplary efforts to employ and service Floridians with disabilities were honored at The Able Trust’s 2004 Ability Awards on February 9th, in Weston, Florida. Five outstanding award winners were recognized with a commendation on behalf of Governor Jeb Bush. Eladio Amores, Vice Chair of The Able Trust, and Rita Barreto Craig, Chair of the Florida Business Leadership Network, presented the awards on the Foundation’s behalf.

Hillsborough Association for Retarded Citizens (HARC) of Tampa was recognized as the Beverly Chapman Award Recipient for Outstanding Employment Placement Program. HARC’s Community-Based Supportive Employment program serves individuals with developmental disabilities and encourages them to participate in community integrated competitive employment. Their philosophy is focused on person-centered planning in which HARC’s Employment Coaches encourage consumers to assess their current strengths and abilities to help them choose what type of job they desire.

The Mongolian Grill of Pensacola was named Small Employer of the Year. The Mongolian Grill opened in Pensacola in February of 2003 and has worked closely with the ARC Gateway to hire people with disabilities. Charlotte Boedigheimer and Paul Carpenter, co-owners of the Mongolian Grill, have accommodated every employee in every way.

Nationwide Insurance of Gainesville was named Large Employer of the Year. Through a strong partnership with the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, Nationwide has made continued efforts to hire people with disabilities. Not only do they offer various, competitive jobs to people with disabilities, but they also make accommodations and promote awareness among all employees about the needs of people with disabilities.

Cindy Marshall, Night/Weekend Editor of the Sebring News-Sun, was awarded the Media Award. Marshall writes and assigns stories about people with disabilities that not only demonstrates to the public the struggles of citizens with disabilities, but also spotlights their triumphs.

Cynthia Szuka of Wellington received the Youth Leader Award. Szuka is a senior at Wellington High School and has volunteered in the special needs community for five years. She is a founding volunteer at the Christ Fellowship Church’s Special Needs Ministry, has organized a wheelchair drive for a disability outreach organization and, most recently, has accepted a volunteer position with them as the Palm Beach County Chair Corps Area Representative.