Tavistock Development Company was recently awarded The Able Trust Employer of the Year Award. The Able Trust’s annual statewide Ability Awards acknowledge individuals and businesses that have made remarkable contributions to the employment of Florida residents with disabilities. This award comes after the success of the Best Buddies International program and Tavistock Development Company’s hiring of Shane Collins through Best Buddies Florida. (You can read our online story about Collins being named Central Florida’s Employee of the Year by Best Buddies International here: nonahoodnews.com/key-success-better-best-service/.)
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization that helps to secure employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and independently support themselves through the skills they learn in the Best Buddies integrated employment program. Their website proudly states, “Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.”
As discussed in our article about the program in our April edition of the paper, Best Buddies International has already impacted more than 104,600 Floridians alone through their organized efforts to provide one-to-one friendships and mentoring, as well as through their outstanding programs teaching leadership development and employment skills for people with IDD. The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes those with autism, Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, Fragile X, and even some undiagnosed disabilities and more.
“Our involvement with the Best Buddies jobs program has enhanced our company culture,” said Debbie DeMars, Tavistock Development Company’s vice president of human resources and internal operations. “Our workplace has truly been enriched with the addition of Shane Collins, a fantastic teammate we hired through Best Buddies.”
When we interviewed Collins in April, he was a part-time employee of Tavistock Development Company. Now, after only a little over a year’s time, Collins’ responsibilities have grown and he is now a full-time employee! Collins happily shared, “I wake up excited to go to work because of the atmosphere. To have a full-time job helps me feel like I have a full-time calling.”
Tavistock Development Company shared their excitement about the collaborative community of Lake Nona embracing the Best Buddies programs and opportunities. Watercrest of Lake Nona recently hired a new member of their team through the Best Buddies integrated employment program, and several other Lake Nona partners are beginning to also get involved with the nonprofit and are in the process of hiring exceptional employees like Mr. Collins for their own teams.
“The impact throughout our company and culture with the addition of Shane has been profound,” said DeMars. “We look forward to his continued growth as he thrives in his role.” Collins summed up the rewards of the Best Buddies program well after receiving his award as the Best Buddies Employee of the Year: “You know what, to me, it feels special. It feels wonderful and rewarding.” Collins continued, “I want people to know that no matter if you are a bachelorette student or an ESE (Exceptional Student Education) student in high school – join the Best Buddies program!”
