At the LETR Victoria Scholarship presentation, Carlo Manolitsas, a Special Olympics athlete, stated, “No matter who we are, no matter our challenges, we all have a right and an ability to work. It is our strengths that must be the focus.” Speaking on behalf of his fellow teammates and graduates from Certificate 1 & 2 Courses in Work Place Education run by Victoria University Polytechnic in Melbourne, Carlo continued by saying, “work gives us a purpose and helps us to contribute to our community. We know that with understanding and thinking creatively about supports and adjustments, valuable work can be found for each of us.”

His words underscored how valuable the work is that LETR Victoria is doing. The courses offer young people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to gain valuable workplace awareness and skills in simulated and authentic workplace settings, improving confidence in job seeking, workplace expectations, and personal development. Click here to read more.

Each year in January, Publix associates and customers come together to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. The impact of this support can be seen in the continual improvement and expansion of Special Olympics Florida and the other Special Olympics Programs across the seven-state operating area.

Publix Super Markets’ support of Special Olympics began in 1972 when Publix founder George Jenkins provided the funds to send 60 Special Olympics Florida athletes and their chaperones to compete in the Special Olympics USA Games in Los Angeles. Click here to read more.