Never one to shy away from a challenge, Challenge Enterprises of Clay County, retooled its sewing operation to make face masks in response to a COVID-19 community need. Challenge Enterprises is partnering with several businesses and organizations to fulfill orders for face masks as they safeguard their employees in a pandemic economy. In fact, the […]
This story appeared on the front page of the Florida Times-Union on March 1, 2020. Click here for the original feature article. By Beth Reese Cravey Connectable, founded in 2017 by Jacksonville philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver, will help 20 in 20 companies identify and customize positions and interview candidates, as well as provide job coaching […]
This story appeared in the Florida Times-Union on November 12, 2019. Click here for the original feature article.By Mark WoodsWhen he turned 18, Willie Deas couldn’t count to 10. But Fred Martin, founder of Martin Coffee Co., gave him a chance, hiring him to do some odd jobs. Fifty years later, he’s still working for […]
Wolfson High School student, Michael Weidle emerged from his football season with some statewide victories, countywide recognition, and a team of new friends who weathered the ups and downs in a hard-fought football season. Only it wasn’t a typical football team or an everyday honor, and Michael Weidle isn’t your everyday player. Michael Weidle bypassed the […]
Miss Aaliyah worked swiftly and calmly, unpacking lunch boxes for a class of hungry preschoolers at DLC Nurse & Learn in her role as a teacher assistant. The students were sitting patiently, joyfully, wiping down the table as they waited for lunch. A glance around the table revealed children of all abilities and backgrounds– those […]
“A person with Down syndrome changed my life. I met Robin when I was a sophomore in college studying art and psychology. Once a week, we would meet and I was her “Art Teacher,” but really, we were just drawing together and building a friendship. When Robin’s mom passed, I became her caregiver fulltime. Over […]
Peyton Miller has been waiting for this moment since her first day on the job at Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville. Five enthusiastic students opened their notebooks and began to take notes about resume writing, how to dress for success, and interview skills. It was their first class of the DSAJ Career Solution Training Academy and […]
Walk into Diane Krug’s science classroom at Greenwood School and a tall, skinny student named Luke will be quick to jump up and give you a full tour of the room – from the three-legged iguana to the tortoise roaming freely around the floor. What you won’t see is any sign that Luke was incredibly […]
Zachary Fishburn has spent his entire life overcoming obstacles. The 23-year old was born with autism, but like any younger sibling, he just wanted to be like his older brother, Dane. Both boys were sports-driven, but Zachary was never given the same opportunities as Dane. Zachary also faced obstacles inside and outside the classroom, including […]
As part of the Connectable campaign, we will be featuring some of the incredible people with IDDs that live on the First Coast on our blog. One of these people is Martha. Here is her story: Martha Cody says growing up was hard. Her grandmother who raised her in the 1950s and ‘60s would not let […]