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The Florida Grantor, Summer 2007

Eighth Annual Youth Leadership Forum Empowers Next Generation of Leaders

This July, The Able Trust hosted the ever-popular Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). Held July 18-22, 2007, the Florida YLF offered more than 50 Florida high school students with disabilities a unique leadership training experience.

The YLF is an educational and motivational program for high school students with disabilities and is designed to give participants the opportunity to learn about disability history, personal leadership, community and academic resources and career options.

This year's YLF featured four days of educational seminars, interactive workshops and special guest presentations from community leaders and government dignitaries.

Kicking off the YLF activities were special presentations focusing on disability history, disability sensitivity training and dinner etiquette. The Florida YLF also featured the second annual YLF Career Fair. The YLF Career Fair gave delegates the opportunity to interact with and learn from more than 30 professionals, many with disabilities, who are working in career fields that interest them.

Following the YLF Career Fair, delegates were joined by more than 40 professionals from across the state for the YLF Mentors Luncheon. This luncheon allowed delegates to speak to these professionals working in their careers of interest in a more informal setting.

Board certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Ambassador for The Able Trust, Dr. Sheila E. Buchbinder, served as the keynote presenter for this year's Mentors Luncheon. Dr. Buchbinder offered students an empowering message of achieving success despite the odds. After a disabling accident, Dr. Buchbinder persevered to successfully teach and publish articles focused on laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Buchbinder is a recipient of the American Women's Medical Association and Lang Publication Awards for outstanding achievement in the medical field.

Following the YLF Career Fair and Mentors Luncheon, students were honored with a star-studded visit by the athletes of the Florida State University football team. The students then traveled to the Florida House of Representative Chambers, at the state's Capitol, where they were greeted by Florida Lt. Governor, Jeff Kottkamp and Leon County Supervisor of Elections, Ion Sancho.

As rising leaders, delegates learned the importance of giving back through the YLF community service activity. Delegates teamed up to design more than 50 "Wish Pillows," which were donated to children displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The "Wish Pillow" is a small pillow with a single pocket on the front where recipients can place their hand written hopes and dreams.

Rounding out this year's activities, were the Wild, Wild, YLF Western Dance and Talent Show.

The Able Trust would like to thank the major sponsors of this year's remarkable YLF, including: the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the Florida Department of Education, the Wachovia Foundation, the Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Program, Peoples First Community Bank and Premier Bank.

The Able Trust would also like to thank the YLF contributing supporters, including: Big Bend Transit, Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged, Option Care, Rotary Club of Tallahassee, The Loop and WingZone. Many thanks must also go the amazing YLF staff and volunteers that have freely given their time and enthusiasm to the YLF. Applications for the 2008 YLF will be made available in September on the Florida YLF website. To learn more about the Florida YLF, visit www.floridaylf.org.