FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2025
Media Contact:
Marshall T. Bower, Esq.
President & CEO
Tel. (239) 337- 0433
Marshall@LeeSchoolFoundation.org
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Partners with The Able Trust to Expand Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
Fort Myers, FL – The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools has been awarded a $20,000 grant from The Able Trust to expand opportunities for students with disabilities through the Futures in Focus program. This statewide initiative helps students in grades 8–12 explore career paths and postsecondary education options, empowering them to plan for successful futures after high school.
With support facilitated by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, the Foundation will use the funding to coordinate campus and employer visits, career-readiness workshops, and strengthen connections with the Florida Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation. These activities are designed to provide students with hands-on experiences and real-world insight into career and college opportunities.
“We are grateful to The Able Trust for investing in our students,” said Noelle Branning, Board Chair of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “Through the Futures in Focus program, students with disabilities will have new opportunities to explore their passions, connect with employers, and discover meaningful paths for their future.”
The Able Trust’s Futures in Focus initiative is part of a broader investment across Florida to increase career readiness and access for students with disabilities. By partnering with local education foundations like The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, The Able Trust ensures students receive personalized support and exposure to meaningful opportunities.
About The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools
The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. is a private 501(C)3 organization established in 1986. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the quality of public education in Lee County for students and educators through programs, resources, and experiences made possible through corporate, individual, and educational partnerships. Find us online at www.leeschoolfoundation.org, on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
About The Able Trust
Established in 1990 as the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation, The Able Trust, in support of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, works with local school districts, education foundations and community nonprofits to prepare students for life after high school. The Able Trust youth programs are located in communities across Florida and serve 1,200 students each year. With a 99% average high school graduation rate and 61% of participating students planning to pursue postsecondary education, The Able Trust youth programs are helping students envision and begin to work towards a future they might not have thought possible. To learn more, visit www.abletrust.org.