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Welcome to the July 2025 edition of The Able Trust's Empower newsletter. Read on to learn how participating in the High School High Tech program has changed one student's life path, catch up with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's activities supporting Florida students with disabilities, and more!

"I didn't dream about a future, because deep down, I wasn't even sure if there was space in that future for someone like me. The sense of not belonging was like carrying a weight I couldn't put down."

So writes Broward County High School High Tech student Alexandra "Axel" Garcia in her personal narrative, now available in our online newsroom. A member of High School High Tech for the past two years, Axel has become a highly motivated leader among her peers.

Axel shares that her confidence and drive to succeed in her future career field developed as a direct result of her experiences in the High School High Tech program. As she notes, "[High School High Tech] helped me imagine a different future--one that feels exciting, fulfilling and, most importantly, possible."

Axel plans to attend Broward College starting in Spring 2026 to pursue her Associate of Arts degree. Visit our newsroom to learn more about how High School High Tech not only shaped Axel's future plans, but also helped her develop belief in her abilities.

As we work toward our goals of expanding High School High Tech to reach more students with disabilities across Florida, The Able Trust appreciates the support of those who are helping to facilitate our plans for sustainable program growth. We are thankful to call Jay Newman not only a donor, but also a dear friend of our organization.

Newman offered his thoughts on the importance of supporting Florida's students with disabilities:

"Supporting The Able Trust isn't just about giving--it's about seeing real change happen in my community and across the state. Every dollar invested turns into opportunities, empowerment, and tangible impact. I take pride in knowing my contribution helps create a stronger, more dynamic workforce for Florida."

We'd also like to thank Capital City Bank, another longtime supporter of The Able Trust, for their recent donation to support High School High Tech. Capital City Bank's Don May and Kevin Strickland stopped in to our office this week to present the gift.

Read more about our donors and why they give here.

Earlier this month, outstanding high school students with disabilities from all across Florida arrived in Tallahassee for the Florida Youth Leadership Forum presented by the Florida Independent Living Council. As part of the week-long leadership training event, Brandi Boyer-Rutherford and Wayne Jennings from the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation spoke to the students about what to include on a resume, job interview strategies, requesting work accommodations, and many more job readiness tips. They also volunteered their time to conduct mock interviews, giving the students an opportunity to practice their new skills and receive helpful feedback.

Thank you to Brandi, Wayne and the VR team for sharing these great insights to help prepare students for future career success.

High School High Tech students from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties have been exploring a wide variety of career fields this summer through internships. Students took on roles at Pepin Academies, Tarpon Springs Aquarium, the University of South Florida, Arts4All Florida, Ginger Beard Coffee, Bikes from the Heart, and the James P. Gills YMCA.

We appreciate these great area businesses for welcoming our students! Visit our Student Highlights page to see more photos provided by Abilities Inc.

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 postsecondary 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. Click below to learn about why people support our youth programs.

Do you know someone who may be interested in staying up to date on The Able Trust's activities, High School High Tech student success stories, current research and more? Forward this email and encourage them to subscribe to the Empower newsletter and click the icons below to follow us on their preferred social media networks.

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.