The Dan Marino Foundation received a $27,250 grant from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, generated from the annual Line, Vine & Dine event in Fort Lauderdale. The grant will support the growth of the “Emeril Lagasse Foundation Pop-up Crew and Lounge” program, designed for young adults with autism. This program has played a crucial role in improving the participants’ hospitality skills and boosting their self-confidence. Additionally, it has forged strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations through a series of pop-up events hosted at the Dan Marino Foundation and within the local community. These funds will further extend the training period, allowing participants to gain more experience and explore potential job opportunities.
“We deeply appreciate Emeril Lagasse Foundation for their support of the Dan Marino Foundation in preparing individuals with autism for future careers in hospitality and giving them the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned chefs and wineries at the Line, Vine & Dine event, spotlighting their abilities and fostering community inclusion,” says Mary Partin, Chief Executive Officer of the Dan Marino Foundation.
After their son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism in 1992, Dan and Claire Marino founded the Dan Marino Foundation. The foundation has a long and distinguished history of providing life-changing programs and services with the mission to “empower individuals with autism.” In the U.S., one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism today. To ensure support is provided to those in need, ninety-four cents of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes toward programs and other initiatives, which have included:
- Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center
- Marino Autism Research Institute
- Marino Adapted Aquatics
- Marino Campus accredited post-secondary schools
- Hub2Connect
- Local and nationwide autism organizations
The Dan Marino Foundation is at the forefront of providing technology solutions that tackle the barriers to employment and independence faced by individuals with autism, thanks to the support of grants from Google, the NFL Foundation, and Magic Leap. The foundation has been recognized as a Charity Navigator 4-star organization, a GuideStar Gold Seal Charity, and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
For more information, please visit Danmarinofoundation.org
