SUNRISE, FL – (July 12, 2016) – ARC Broward, an entrepreneurial non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, career, financial literacy and a full range of other opportunities to individuals with disabilities, received two prestigious awards from The Able Trust, a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment.
At The Able Trust’s annual Ability Awards ceremony, held Friday, June 17, 2016 in Tallahassee, FL, ARC Broward received the Beverly Chapman Award for Outstanding Employment Placement Program recognizing the organization’s outstanding job placement programs for persons with disabilities.
In addition, ARC Broward President/CEO Dennis Haas was this year’s honoree for the Dr. George L. Spelios Leadership Award recognizing his outstanding leadership and advocacy efforts as the president of a Florida nonprofit disability organization.
“ARC Broward has taken an innovative approach that allows participants to earn, keep and grow assets while remaining employed,” said Dr. Susanne Homant, President and CEO of The Able Trust. “They’ve been able to escape cycles of poverty and make a life of self-sufficiency.”
The Able Trust selected ARC Broward to receive this year’s Beverly Chapman Award for Outstanding Employment Placement Program. Known for leadership in creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, ARC Broward received a three-year strategic grant from The Able Trust to help develop the Center for Financial Stability in 2015. In its first year, the center assisted more than 175 individuals with disabilities. The center provides financial literacy and career development training and has led to more than 70 individuals gaining employment.
ARC Broward’s guidance on economic realities means that participants obtain and maintain employment with the skills that allow them to become financially stable. Financial stability education covers banking institutions, bill payment and other financial decisions.
Dennis Haas has served as President/CEO of ARC Broward for nearly 20 years. “Being recognized for making a difference in our community is a huge honor,” Haas said. “We strive to provide encouragement and opportunities that allow people with disabilities to become contributing members of our community.”
ABOUT THE ABLE TRUST
The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be a key leader in providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for successful employment.
The Able Trust supports a diversity of projects, and programs statewide, and has helped to put thousands and thousands of Floridians with disabilities to work since its beginnings, 25 years ago. For more information, visit (www.abletrust.org).
ABOUT ARC BROWARD
Since 1956, ARC Broward has worked hand-in-hand with the community to provide the encouragement and opportunities that create life-changing outcomes so that people with disabilities and other life challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities.
The not-for-profit organization operates three “mission-based” enterprises that provide training and employment opportunities for individuals served while generating revenue to help fund services. These include the ARC Broward Learning Institute, ARC Broward Culinary Institute and ARC Broward IT Asset Recovery and provides services through 21 programs in nine locations across Broward County. To learn more or to donate, visit (www.arcbroward.com) or call (954) 746-9400. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Photo Caption: ARC Broward President and CEO Dennis Haas (holding award) is pictured with (left to right): Dr. Susanne F. Homant, MBA, President/CEO of The Able Trust; Karen B. Moore, APR, CPRC, Moore Communications Group, Secretary of The Able Trust; and Richard L. Cole, Esq., Attorney, Chairman of The Able Trust.
