CARD Selected to Benefit From Expertise of Local Professionals
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) has been chosen as one of five local non-profit organizations to benefit from the expertise of local professionals who are currently participating in the 2008-2009 class of The Tampa Connection. Class members will develop their leadership and engage in community outreach through this experience.
Each year, local non-profits are invited to submit project applications to The Tampa Connection for consideration of assistance. Chosen organizations are provided with a team of up-and-coming professionals from diverse fields who help develop business or marketing plans, recruitment strategies, awareness campaigns or other vital business necessities. Often such important components are beyond the reach of non-profit organizations operating on tight budgets with minimal staff. The other organizations chosen for the current year include Angels Unaware, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Ophelia Project and Tampa Firefighter’s Museum.
"Since 1985, The Tampa Connection has had the privilege to partner with dozens of the non-profit agencies in the area,” said Eric Adams, Board President of The Tampa Connection. “These partnerships make The Tampa Connection experience unique, for its participants and for the widespread impact on our community." The Tampa Connection will work with CARD to develop, design and implement a community outreach and marketing plan to connect the resources of CARD to those who need their services.
Funded by the Florida legislature, CARD-USF is a community-based project that provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities. Housed within the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute's Department of Child & Family Studies, CARD-USF serves a 14-county catchment area offering instruction and coaching to families and professionals through a training and assistance model.
"All of the CARD-USF staff are very excited to have the opportunity to be part of the Tampa Connection," said CARD director Dr. Karen Berkman. " It is our intention to take the marketing plan and share it statewide with all CARD centers so that we experience a greater impact in the communities we serve."
The Tampa Connection has been developing community and business leaders for nearly 25 years. The Tampa Connection class runs from August through May annually, and exposes participants to Tampa’s hidden jewels and resources as well as opportunities for volunteerism. Visit http://www.tampaconnection.org or call (813) 317-3624 for more information.