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Our inaugural class of Ambassadors finished their high school educations strong and are headed to the next phases of their paths to rewarding careers! From left to right:

• Will Carpenter plans to attend state fire school, then go to work at the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
• Jaycee Moser will pursue an education degree at Valencia College.
• Damian Smith plans to attend Savannah College of Art and Design beginning this winter to study cinematic animation and graphic design.

Congratulations to these three outstanding scholars! We thank them for being great representatives and wish them the best of luck!

In this month's Partner Perspectives, Rachel Ludwig, vice president of talent development for the Future of Work initiative at the Florida Chamber Foundation, discusses how Future of Work aims to make Florida's state workforce the strongest in the country, and suggests key points for future jobseekers to keep in mind.

Click the Read More button for her insights!

In advance of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) in October, The Able Trust is kicking off the DEAM Tell Your Story Contest! The winner of a $50 digital gift card will be chosen randomly from all eligible entries in each category!

The contest is open to students with disabilities, parents or guardians of children with disabilities, and adult VR consumers. Click the Enter Now button to get started! Submissions are due by Friday, September 13.

Before joining Leon County's High School High Tech club, Jakel Baker had his mind set on going straight into the workforce upon graduation. However, with the encouragement of former Leon HSHT coordinator Chris Carlberg, Jakel blossomed into a sociable, professional and driven young man. He has now graduated and is enrolled at Tallahassee State College with plans to transfer to Florida State University.

Read more about Jakel and some of our other outstanding students on our High School High Tech Highlights page!

The annual Florida Youth Leadership Forum took place at Florida State University earlier this month. Students from all over the state came to Tallahassee for a week of leadership and skills training, including presentations from the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and a round of mock interviews facilitated by area volunteers.

Our staff were thrilled to meet with the event coordinators and so impressed with the students. Kudos to the Florida Independent Living Council on putting together another great event!

Interested in Strengthening

High School High Tech?

- Would you host a tour of your business or industry for your local High School High Tech students?

- Interested in speaking to HSHT students about college or training programs?

Let us connect you to your local HSHT program coordinator so you can make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities.

Invest in Florida's Future Workforce

Investing in preparing students with disabilities for post-secondary success helps nurture a stronger talent pipeline for Florida at large.

As our state’s workforce continues to evolve, it is imperative that we focus on opportunities to provide students with disabilities with the tools to adapt, grow, and advance in their chosen fields.

www.abletrust.org

The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, is a 501(c)(3) public charity established by the Florida Legislature in 1990 as a direct support organization for the 

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Its mission is to advance employment for Floridians with disabilities through engagement, investment, and collaboration.