Academy at Glengary Launches Gateway to the Future Initiative

July 23, 2021

William G. & Marie Selby Foundation and State of Florida set a $200,000 technology training and digital literacy initiative into motion.

Technology is an essential component in leading a productive and connected life, but access to technology for those impacted by mental illness is often scarce. The Academy at Glengary provides workforce development that helps address this technology gap, but the pandemic put a spotlight on just how crucial digital literacy is on the job. In response, the Academy at Glengary created an initiative to better prepare its members—adults on a journey to recover from serious mental illness—for the modern workplace. The $200,000 Gateway to the Future initiative ambitiously provides the tools and training needed to give members every advantage in their quest for gainful, fulfilling employment.

The Academy at Glengary is now able to put the Gateway to the Future plan into action.  First, the William G. & Marie Selby Foundation announced a $100,000 award for the initiative. According to Carol Butera, President and CEO of the Selby Foundation, “We are pleased to partner with the Academy for the implementation of cutting-edge technology training designed to provide a pathway to gainful employment for adults living with mental illnesses.”

Next came the remaining $100,000, awarded by the Florida State legislature as part of the state’s 2022 Fiscal Year budget. A special thanks to State Senator Joe Gruters and State Representative Randall Maggard, who sponsored the funding request, and Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed the new state budget.

The funding is a capital investment that will take the Academy’s mission to the next level and impact all aspects of programming. Academy members will have opportunities to train in the use of tablets, computers, smartphones, Smartboards, and more. Software purchases will include Adobe and Microsoft products, Office 365, and a new Voice Over Internet Protocol phone system.

“We are thrilled and grateful for this support, which will allow us to launch our members into the workforce with the technological skills that the digital workplace demands,” says Academy Director, William McKeever.
To learn more, please visit https://www.AcademySRQ.org.

About the Academy at Glengary:
Founded in 2018, the Academy at Glengary is a working community where adults pursue mental health recovery through friendship, healthy lifestyles, skill development, and careers. The range of training opportunities at the Academy includes culinary arts, hospitality, phone reception, technology, customer service, accounting, multimedia, graphic design and videography. When members are ready for employment, they have the opportunity to participate in transitional, supported or career-based employment. The working community approach is based on the belief that skill training and employment are the pathway to a meaningful and productive life.