MEDIA RELEASE
Bascom Communications
October 20, 2018 9:00 a.m.
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Able Trust recently named the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) in Duval County as a recipient of the 2018 Strategic Employment Placement Initiative Grant. The Strategic Employment Placement Initiative Grant is the primary grant program of The Able Trust. These grants go to address the employment placement of Floridians with disabilities and cover a three-year period.
ILRC is being awarded $250,000 for ‘Careers360: Opportunities in Every Direction.’ ILRC’s ‘Careers 360: Opportunities in Every Direction’ program will empower employment for 145 job-seekers by partnering with 50 disability-friendly businesses by 2021. The ‘Careers360’ program will expand during the three-year grant to include the four surrounding counties – Clay, Baker, Nassau and St. Johns.
“The Able Trust is excited to partner with the Independent Living Resource Center,” said Dr. Susanne Homant, president and CEO of The Able Trust. “ILRC has developed quality programs to help Floridians with disabilities find successful employment. The Able Trust is proud to support programs like ‘Career360,’ as they are vital to growing these much-needed employment opportunities and making sure individuals who use the program and their communities thrive.”
“‘Careers 360’ will provide employment and independence for people with disabilities, while positively impacting the growth of our economy,” said Tyler Morris, executive director of ILRC. “We have many candidates who are vetted, qualified and ready to work in all industries.”
“We are so pleased to help employ workers with disabilities and to serve as an example of the effectiveness of this program,” said Debbie Pfeiffer, president at Pitney Bowes. “It has truly been a win-win partnership, as the individuals we employ through ILRC make positive contributions to our business and immeasurable contributions to our team and culture.”
“I am so thrilled for this exciting partnership between The Able Trust and the Independent Living Resource Center that will change lives here in the Jacksonville area,” said State Senator Aaron Bean. “Both of these excellent organizations are doing so much to create employment opportunities for Floridians with disabilities, and I can’t wait to see what can be accomplished with this grant.”
Representative Byrd stated, “The opportunities created by this partnership between the ILRC and The Able Trust are impressive and are an example of two great organizations working to make life better for an important part of Florida’s population. I enthusiastically support the program and this excellent use of public and private resources.”
Both businesses and job seekers are encouraged to contact ILRC to discover their full potential by calling 904.399.8484 or visiting EmploymentJAX.org.
The Able Trust’s mission is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment. One avenue in which The Able Trust accomplishes this mission is through opportunities in its grant giving program. The goal of The Able Trust grant program is to provide funds to qualifying organizations that have established or want to develop employment placement programs that assist individuals with disabilities to achieve employment in their communities and in their career fields.
About The Able Trust
The Able Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment. The Able Trust supports numerous diverse projects, including the High School High Tech program, youth leadership training, work experience training and technical assistance, transportation assistance, career development training, employment and career path direction and assistance to businesses as they seek the employment of people with disabilities. Since its beginnings, The Able Trust has worked with community organizations in every county in Florida to put thousands of people with disabilities to work. To learn more about The Able Trust, please visitAbleTrust.org and follow @AbleTrust.
About the Independent Living Resource Center
ILRC is Jacksonville’s Center for Independent Living, which has served the Northeast Florida disability community since 1978. ILRC empowers all individuals with a disability to live independent, self-empowered lives. The ‘Careers 360’ Program provides readiness, placement, and retention services to job seekers with disabilities and businesses. To learn more about ILRC, please visit JaxDisability.org.