The Able Trust - Because people want to work.

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The Florida Grantor, Spring 2008

President's Message

This is my first column for the Florida Grantor, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to share a little of my background and some thoughts on the importance of the mission of The Able Trust. This fine organization, made so by a very capable and passionate staff, the hard work of past-President Sharon Griffith, a great Board of Directors, and volunteers, supporters and grantee organizations throughout the state, has remained fiercely dedicated to the employment of people living with a disability of any kind. We work together, through our grantee organizations, our special statewide programs and affiliations, and our fundraising efforts to remove barriers and find ways to create a culture and environment that allows those we serve to go to work and use their talents to the maximum extent possible.

My background includes over 20 years in health care administration, and I have worked within the hospital, nursing home, hospice, mental illness, and disability arenas in three states - Michigan, Iowa, and Florida. (Farther back in my past, I also worked as an IRS Auditor, a cookie shop owner, and the co-manager of a semi-pro hockey team - stories for another time.) I have had the opportunity to talk with many people who were living with health care issues, and I especially enjoyed the stories from those in nursing homes and hospices. They spoke about many different things, but everyone always talked about their families and their jobs. A job, a profession, is a big part of how we define ourselves, and the work of The Able Trust to make sure everyone has that opportunity, addresses one of the basic needs of all people.

In these tough budget times, many of you have been reading and hearing about the shortage of state funding for critical services, and we have had several inquiries regarding the status of our organization. Let me assure everyone that The Able Trust has no intention of ending its grant program. We are actively requesting proposals and making grants that address the core mission of this organization. We are committed to those we serve, and have a structure in place to continue our fund raising efforts to assure the sustainability of this organization and support of the organizations that we serve through our grants program. We have funded programs that serve all 67 counties in Florida, and it is the intent of the Board and staff that we continue to do just that. Many thanks to those of you who have contributed your time, talents, and dollars to our great mission.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any comments, and I look forward to meeting many of you over the next several months.