For Immediate Release: July 19, 2011
DEP’S FLORIDA PARK SERVICE RECEIVES PUBLIC ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD
FROM THE ABLE TRUST
~Florida Park Service recognized for dedication to promoting and assisting
with job opportunities and training for people with disabilities~
TALLAHASSEE – The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service was
recently honored as Public Organization of the Year by The Able Trust as part of the 2011 Ability Awards. The award
recognizes the Florida Park Service for outstanding efforts to advance
employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities across the
state.
“This recognition by The Able Trust demonstrates our
commitment to communities, the core values of the
Florida Park Service and our dedication to help create employment opportunities
for people of all abilities,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald
Forgione. “It is because of such high caliber service and professionalism that Florida remains the best state park system in the nation
and a key player in job creation in Florida.“
The Able Trust Ability
Awards annually recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding
contributions toward the employment of Floridians with disabilities. The Able
Trust, with the help of their outstanding collaborators and champions, is the
leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities
through grants, public awareness, public education, policy recommendations and
corporate partnerships.
“The
Ability Awards recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations from
throughout the state, like the Florida Park Service, who go above and beyond to
make sure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities at education,
training, employment and the best life possible,” said Dr. Susanne Homant, President
and CEO of The Able Trust. “It is an honor for The Able Trust to work with the
Florida Park Service and we are humbled by their contributions to the mission
of our organization.”
In
the last year, more than 17 state park locations were involved as job shadow
sites for The Able Trust's Disability Mentoring Day, Ready to Achieve Mentoring
Programs (RAMP) and High School/High Tech (HS/HT) projects. DEP and park service
staff were involved as planning committee members, guest speakers, mentors and tour
guides. Staff also conducted outreach to local parks to assist in creating
year-round disability mentoring and community service projects.
Numerous
park staff and AmeriCorps State Park service members have worked alongside
HS/HT and RAMP students, teaching them the value of service and basic job
skills by restoring trails, removing invasive plants, removing debris from
Florida's shoreline and building animal habitats. The award reflects the
Florida Park Service’s willingness to offer meaningful community service and
career mentoring opportunities to participants of The Able Trust programs.
|