Learning Independence For Tomorrow (LiFT) is MORE than a school. We are a community! We are trailblazers in the landscape of special and inclusive education, as well as thought leaders in the space of sustainable employment solutions for those with neurodiversity.
We level the playing field by equipping our students with individualized accommodations and modifications for a successful and fulfilling academic experience. We empower our adult learners with life, career, and social skills so that they may be confident, independent, and contributing members of society.
And we are just getting started. We are poised to build upon a dream that started on the back of a napkin. A dream to create a safe, inclusive, effective, and diverse community to meet the growing needs of children and adults with neurodiversity. A dream to not only meet today’s needs, but to prepare our students for tomorrow’s future.
Mark and I are proud of what LiFT has accomplished over the past nine years and we are honored to lead the campaign to build a new campus.
It will take a community of donors to make this vision a reality; and we hope that you will join us.
With gratitude,
Keli and Mark Mondello
Keli and Mark Mondello
LiFTING OUR FUTURE Capital Campaign Co-Chairs
Keli and I started LiFT because we couldn’t find the right school to meet the needs of our daughters. We had no idea that we had tapped into an unmet need in our community. The impact of seeing students and adults reach their full potential keeps us going.
When I think of LiFT, I think of the profound impact that empowering our students has, not only on them as human beings, but on their families as well. From a mom crying tears of joy and disbelief after watching her 2nd grade son confidently walk into class alone for the first time, to the relief of a single mom of an adult learner who had thought that her son would spend time home alone when she was at work. Because of LiFT he was employed and helping to pay the bills.
Now, as I look at our new Clearwater Campus and see the space for us to grow, I think of all the stories to come and the impact that LiFT will continue to have.
Kim Kuruzovich
Co-Founder and first Executive Director
Our learners deserve a space that matches the quality of our education. Our vision of creating a world where independence is possible for the neurodiverse requires that LiFT further elevate our services and embrace our ever-expanding growth for the benefit of this community. We seek to level the playing field for our students to ensure that the values of accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and belonging are not the exception but the norm.
With the purchase of the Clearwater campus, LiFT opened its doors to serve as the permanent home of LiFT Academy, LiFT University Transition Program, LiFT Adult Training Program, and the Sandi Lynn Geller Memorial Family Resource Center. We plan to more than double our capacity to serve more students and families in need while maintaining small class sizes, individual accommodations, and enhanced supportive services.
LiFT aspires to be the premier school, service provider, and resource for families touched by neurodiversity. Through our mission-based focus, sustained graduation rates, meaningful employment opportunities, and more, we seek to inspire generations of students, adult learners, entrepreneurs, business owners, families, neighbors, and other nonprofits.
At LiFT, we change the world one life at a time. We hope you will join us!
Matt Spence
Executive Director
CAMPAIGN CABINET
LiFT BOARD MEMBERS
* Lift Board Members
- Patti and Tony Baldino
- Piedad & Sergio* Cadavid
- Lorie & Tony Faulkner
- Ivory & Elliad* Granger
- Kim* & Michael Kuruzovich
- Amy* & Sean Maguire
- Dennie Masterson
- Beatriz & Kyle* Maxson
- Debbie & Joel Momberg
- Keli* & Mark Mondello
- Rose & Paul Reilly
- Julie & Matt* Rich
- Rabbis Betsy & Michael Torop