Learning Independence for Tomorrow

The LiFT campus suffered damage from Hurricane Milton. Crews assessed the damage on Friday and began the mitigation and recovery process immediately. We have worked nearly 24/7 to create a safe and operable learning environment. To ensure that students can learn with minimal distraction and navigate the school safely, we will be closed for the remainder of this week. We plan to fully reopen on Monday, October 21st. We all hope to create a sense of normalcy and routine for our students as they return to campus, and we will share more details in the coming days to prepare everyone for a triumphant return.  

Are you interested in joining our incredible team of educators? Visit us at https://lnkd.in/ejjfFbMx for a link to our Indeed page with more details.

We warmly welcome Matt Spence, our new Executive Director. Before joining LiFT, Matt served as Chief Strategy Officer at Feeding Tampa Bay, where he had been with the non-profit since 2018. His leadership in developing diverse programs has prepared him to bring a collaborative, transparent, resource-driven approach to LiFT. "Matt’s appointment as Executive Director marks an exciting new chapter for LiFT," added Keli Mondello, co-founder of LiFT. "With his extensive education and community development background, combined with his passion for supporting neurodiverse individuals and their families, we are confident that Matt will lead our school to new heights. His commitment to collaboration and resource-building aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our students and the entire LiFT community." For more information on LiFT, visit us at www.LiFTFL.org Click the link below for the press release: https://lnkd.in/ew_hd8vi

We're thrilled to share updates on the ongoing renovation of our LiFT campus in Clearwater! At LiFT (Learning Independence for Tomorrow), we provide comprehensive educational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. From our LiFT Academy, which serves K-12 students, to the LiFT University Transition Program, which supports those transitioning out of high school, and the LiFT Adult Training program, which focuses on continued learning and employment skills, we strive to empower our students to reach their full potential. Incredible progress has been made thanks to the generous support of our community. With over $10.7 million raised towards our $16 million fundraising goal, we're closer than ever to realizing our vision for an inclusive and dynamic campus environment. But the good news doesn't stop there! This month, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 2024-25 state budget into law, including $800,000 earmarked for completing our culinary teaching kitchen. We deeply thank Governor DeSantis along with our champions Senator Nick DiCeglie, and Representative Daniel Alvarez, Sr. for their unwavering support in securing this crucial funding. The culinary teaching kitchen will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, providing hundreds of students with neurodiversity the opportunity to develop personal culinary skills and gain experience in commercial kitchen operations. From mastering cleaning techniques to understanding ventilation systems and prepping food for our community café, our students will acquire invaluable skills to prepare them for post-graduation employment opportunities. We aim to open the kitchen by fall 2024, further expanding our ability to meet the growing demand for our services and ensure that every student has the tools they need to succeed. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our journey thus far. Together, we're building a brighter future for individuals of all abilities. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to transform lives at LiFT! 🌟 #LiFTCampus #InclusiveEducation #CommunitySupport

ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! LiFT accepts the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities You can now apply for a 2024-25 school year scholarship. https://lnkd.in/eaSM35Mw or visit www.LiFTFL.org/admissions for more information.