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The Florida Grantor, Fall 2006

Over $520,000 Awarded in Grants During the First and Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2007

During the first and second quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, The Able Trust awarded more than $520,000 to non-profit agencies across the state of Florida. These awarded grants will assist more than 15 nonprofit organizations with the employment of people with disabilities. During the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, The Able Trust awarded $257,092 in grants to eight nonprofit agencies. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2007, The Able Trust awarded $263,487 to seven nonprofit agencies. In turn, The Able Trust has awarded more than $2 million in grants for the 2006 calendar year.

The Able Trust awarded grant funding to the following agencies during the first quarter of the 2007 Fiscal Year:

• Florida Institute of Rehabilitation Education (FIRE) for People Who Are Visually Impaired or Blind, (Leon County) in the amount of $46,768 to enhance the organization's computer lab designed to provide employability resources, career training and job search resources for individuals with visual impairments.
• Independent Living Foundation, Inc., (Duval County) in the amount of $5,000 to provide financial support for the 2nd Annual First Coast Youth Disability Conference, a one-day event designed to bring information and presentations to increase disability awareness and provide youth with disabilities and their parents informational sessions focused on employment readiness and independent living.
• Miami-Dade Business Leadership Network, (Dade County) in the amount of $35,000 to create an internship program dedicated to providing employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities and change employer's attitudes about hiring persons with disabilities.
• Osceola ARC, Inc., (Osceola County) in the amount of $31,990 to hire an Employment Trainer who will specialize in securing jobs for individuals with developmental disabilities and stabilizing them in their workplace.
• PARC, (Pinellas County) in the amount of $35,000 to hire an Employment Specialist who will provide employment assistance for persons with disabilities who need long-term aid after state funding has been discontinued.
• Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, (Hillsborough County) in the amount of $34,844 to support a Placement Specialist who will help individuals with vision impairments gain job readiness skills and employment in Hillsborough County.
• Epilepsy Services of West Central Florida, (Hillsborough County) in the amount of $33,190 to create and support an Employment Services program, which will provide persons with seizure disorders individualized employment placement and career development assistance.
• Jackson County Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc., (Jackson County) in the amount of $35,300 to provide people with disabilities in Jackson County, the opportunity to participate in pre-employment training and job exploration to better assist them in gaining employment in the community.

The Able Trust awarded grant funding to the following agencies during the second quarter of the 2007 Fiscal Year:

• Ability 1st, (Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla- Rural Counties) in the amount of $21,082 to provide a Disability Sensitivity Awareness program to area businesses in order to gain more employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the three county areas of Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla counties.
• Academics of Educational Excellence, Inc., (Hillsborough County) in the amount of $35,052 to provide vocational on-site job training to individuals with disabilities who are interested in gaining employment.
• ARC Bradford, (Bradford County) in the amount of $45,498 to provide a full-time Job Developer who will develop new job sites and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• ARC Ridge Area, (Highlands County) in the amount of $39,588 to establish an Employment Skills program to provide effective vocational training in the necessary skills to successfully gain competitive employment.
• Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center, (Broward County) in the amount of $80,318 to provide a two year comprehensive employment skills training and placement services program to individuals with disabilities.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Northeast Florida, Inc., (Duval County) in the amount of $31,949 to provide for a Business Developer and Employability Coach who will complete outreach to the business community and assist individuals with disabilities in gaining employment.
• Victory Living Programs, (Broward County) in the amount of $10,000 to provide emergency operational funds due to an unforeseen shortage. For more information about The Able Trust Grants Program, visit www.abletrust.org.