FRIENDSHIPCIRCLE receives a grant from Truist Foundation to expand job training and employment support for adults with disabilities.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (August 19, 2026) – Friendship Circle today announced it received a grant from Truist Foundation to fund a new Career Coach position within its Life Skills & Job Training Program–giving adults with developmental disabilities more than just job skills, but a true sense of purpose, belonging, and a real place in our community.

“This grant from Truist Foundation is a powerful example of our mission in action and an even more powerful message to our students: You belong here, and we will help you realize your dreams,” said Chayale Slavaticki, Director of Friendship Circle. “With a dedicated Career Coach, we can expand our Business Ambassador & Mentorship Program and offer the kind of one-on-one mentorship that changes lives. From guidance in resume building and interview preparation to workplace readiness. This is all about empowering our students to build a life of purpose and pride where they wake up every morning knowing they have a place in our community.”

For too long, adults with developmental disabilities have been overlooked and underestimated. Friendship Circle is changing that. The Life Skills & Job Training Program provides hands-on, real-world work experience to adults 18 and older, with students working in an on-site restaurant
and at partner businesses in downtown Fort Lauderdale. They are serving customers, preparing food, and learning real career skills. In the classroom, students build a strong foundation through a comprehensive employment curriculum that covers resume writing, mock interviews, online and in-person job applications, workplace communication, professionalism, conflict resolution, and understanding pay and benefits. But more importantly, they are forming friendships, gaining independence, and becoming visible, valued members of the community. The new Career Coach will be instrumental in deepening these partnerships and ensuring students are not just placed in jobs but truly prepared for long-term, fulfilling careers.

“Truist Foundation is proud to support organizations like Friendship Circle that are creating tangible career pathways for people in our communities,” said Connie Degler, Truist market president. “Friendship Circle is creating meaningful pathways to employment, independence, and belonging, and we’re proud to support its work to help more adults build skills, confidence,
and fulfilling careers.”

About Friendship Circle
Friendship Circle is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing social, recreational, and vocational programs for individuals with disabilities. Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Life Skills & Job Training Program empowers adults with developmental disabilities to discover their strengths and achieve their goals.

About Truist Foundation
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire
and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives — the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truistfoundation.org.