FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern athletic department once again partnered with the Dan Marino Foundation for the third straight year as part of the Summer STEPS (Supported Training and Employment Program for Special Needs) Program that provides summer employment opportunities to hard-working individuals.
 
“Our partnership with the Dan Marino Foundation, in particular the STEPS Program, is truly a collaborative community engagement effort that benefits both organizations,” Director of Athletics Michael Mominey said. “We relish the opportunity to serve as a host site and hope to continue mentoring students in the program with valuable employment and life skill learning opportunities.”  
 
For the past three years, interns participating in the Dan Marino Foundation’s Summer STEP Program have gained valuable employment experience in the Nova Southeastern University athletic department. Funded by the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, the Foundation has given over 240 teenagers and young adults with developmental disabilities, experience in a supported work environment, learning communication, social, and teamwork skills. Furthermore, they all gain tremendous self-esteem and confidence, as well as the respect of their coworkers and employers.
 
Mike Molina (left) and Emmanuel Marti spent the greater part of this summer assisting the NSU Athletic Communications office with a multitude of summer projects. They worked with office personnel with record collection, schedule updating, office organization, in addition to variety of other departmental needs. Demonstrating a strong work ethic, both Molina and Marti provided much-needed assistance throughout the summer to the NSU athletic department.
 
In acknowledging Nova Southeastern University’s opportunity, Dan Marino Foundation Program Director, Kerri Morse, stated, “By providing real-world, competitive employment for young adults such as Mike and Emmanuel, NSU, a prestigious university and a vital community partner to the Foundation, reinforces its strong commitment to young adults with disabilities and their quest toward independence.  We thank NSU for giving these young adults a chance to enhance their work experience and skills.” 
 
ABOUT THE DAN MARINO FOUNDATION:
The Dan Marino Foundation was established by Dan and Claire Marino in 1992. The Foundation’s mission is to “open doors” toward independence for children and young adults with autism and other special needs. The Foundation fulfills this mission by supporting comprehensive integrated treatment programs, providing outreach services, advancing scientific research, and building independence through employment and daily living transition programs. The Foundation has raised over $32 million since its inception which has been used to fund quality-of-life research, build the Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center, and opening in 2013, the Marino Vocational Campus. For more information, please visit www.danmarinofoundation.org.

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