GREGG
Gregg chooses to live at Bishop Grady Villas because “it is a nice place to live and I have a bedroom and a bathroom all to myself. I wanted to live independently and this is my chance!” Gregg is excited about the opportunities he has to become independent. “No one ever took the time to show me how to iron my clothes before. Now I can iron my own clothes and I am proud of looking nice.” Gregg is serving on the Harvest Ball Host Committee. “I enjoy attending the monthly meetings and helping plan the event. I’ve gotten an opportunity to write speeches. I really like public speaking now. I used to be afraid to speak in public, but I am more confident every day.” “Before living at Bishop Grady Villas I didn’t have a lot of friends. Now I have a lot of friends. I really enjoy meeting new people and now I can go do fun things with my friends. We like to go to places like bowling, the movies and shopping. I’m really busy now! For the first time ever I have a gym membership and I go to work out. I play basketball with my friends and I even have my own bike and can ride it every day if I want. I haven’t had an opportunity to ride a bike since I was a kid!” Now that he lives at Bishop Grady Villas, Gregg has a list of things that he wants to learn, such as sending emails on the computer, cooking a meal, managing his money, working in a greenhouse and serving the community. Most of all, however, he wants to start looking for a new job so he can learn new work skills and make more money!
KEVIN
Participants in our Vocational Development Program were given an opportunity to participate in a pilot program offered through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). This pilot was based on the Grameen Bank method of microcredit. The individuals who participated in this program started their own business entitled “Friends at Work.” Maryjane Wysocki, Regional Employment Coordinator, Central Florida and North Suncoast Regions Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) said, “APD developed this microcredit program to increase opportunities for participants to engage in competitive employment, including self-employment outcomes. The goal is to assist individuals with disabilities to integrate more fully into the community, establishing financial stability, widening their experiences and allowing them to reach their full potential.” 8
Dyson Foundation Beverly and Robert Fazio Fishing Charters, Inc Google Give Kids The World Hilton Orlando Hot Olives Gourmet Restaurant Maureen Kane Frances, Annette, Ginny and John Lammerse Nelson Marin George Marlin Sr. Rafaelina Mercado Buddy Meyer Morning Star School Diane and Blair Murphy Native Vacations Oasis International Osceola Council on Aging Panama Jac Pearle Vision Pei Wei Asian Diner Rental World of St. Cloud Rosen Plaza Hotel Luis Santiago
SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando Segler Industries Sheraton Vistana Resort Susan and David Shoffstall St. Cloud Parks and Recreation Therap Services, Inc. Timothy's Gallery, Winter Park Tolla's Total Wine & More Tractor Supply Company (TSC) Twin City Welding Walt Disney World Resort Jean Zawicki
If you would like to join the Bishop Grady Villas’ Legacy Society, make a contribution, sign up to volunteer or notify us that you have included Bishop Grady Villas in your will, please contact Kevin Johnson at kjohnson@bishopgradyvillas.org or (407) 892-6078, ext. 204. Thank you for supporting the mission of Bishop Grady Villas.
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