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The Florida Grantor, Summer 2004

Five Years and Still Empowering: 2004 Youth Leadership Forum is a Success!

From July 22 through 25, 40 delegates selected from across the state of Florida gathered in Tallahassee to continue shaping their futures. These high school juniors and seniors with a range of disabilities attended The Able Trust’s fifth annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), an innovative, intensive four-day career leadership training program designed to cultivate leadership, citizenship and social skills.

During the four-day forum, students participated in activities including a Disability Sensitivity Training, which gave students the opportunity to experience disabilities other than their own. For this year’s community service project, students decorated flower pots to give to the residents of Miracle Hill Nursing and Convalescent Home, located in Tallahassee.

Speakers gave interactive presentations on leadership, academic resources, self-advocacy, assistive technology and independent living. Keynote speaker Doug Blevins, former Special Teams Coach for the Miami Dolphins and currently working with the Minnesota Vikings, discussed students achieving their career goals and self-determination. Students ventured on field trips to the State Capitol Building and Doak Campbell Stadium. At the Capitol field trip, students had the honor to hear and meet Agricultural Commissioner Charles Bronson; Representative Bev Kilmer; Representative Dennis Baxley; General Counsel for Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, Pete Dunbar and Jim Warford, Chancellor of Florida Public Schools.

YLF Students also attended a Mentors Luncheon at the University Center Club where they had the chance to meet and speak with individuals with disabilities who work in their desired future fields of employment. Chris Rix, Kyler Hall and Ray Piquion, players on the Florida State football team, stopped by the Mentors Luncheon to talk to the delegates about leadership, sign autographs and take pictures.

In addition to the educational aspect of YLF, students also grow personally by developing life-long friendships. This year delegates cut a rug at the YLF dance “Born 2 B Wild,” a jungle and safari theme. Students also had the option to participate in the annual YLF talent show. This year participants displayed a variety of talents including singing, original poetry, karate and tae kwon do, acting, telling jokes and displaying their original artwork. The talent show gives everyone an opportunity to show off their skills and support their new friends.

The YLF was funded through corporate sponsorships and donations. Special thanks to our major sponsors including the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Florida Department of Education, Wachovia Bank, SunTrust Bank and Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Program.

Additionally, The Able Trust would like to thank Big Bend Transit for providing transportation, the Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged and the Tallahassee Rotary Club for providing volunteers, Volunteer Florida for providing Braille Transcription, Desloge Home Oxygen & Medical Equipment for providing medical equipment and Refreshment Services Pepsi for providing beverages.

The sixth annual YLF is scheduled for July 20-24, 2005. Applications will be available in September on The Able Trust website.