FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA CITY COUNCIL Honors MacDonald Training Center, January 31, 2023, at 10 AM
TAMPA, FL (January 18, 2023): MacDonald Training Center (MTC), Tampa’s premier provider of services
to people with disabilities, is celebrating 70 years of uniting hope with opportunity. Tampa City Council
is honoring this tremendous milestone of 70 years of dedicated service with a special commendation.
Tampa City Councilman, Luis Viera will present the commendation to MTC President/CEO Karenne Levy
on January 31st at MacDonald Training Center, 5420 W. Cypress Street, Tampa, 33607 at 10 am.
MacDonald Training Center (MTC) has been a beacon of hope since 1953 when J. Clifford MacDonald
and a small group of parents opened one of the first pre-schools in our nation for children with disabilities in Drew Park. Seeking a more equitable and inclusive life for their children, these courageous families boldly rejected the status quo. MTC has moved their vision forward for seventy years, always creating new pathways to opportunities for people with disabilities. Today, thousands of individuals with all disabilities are living and working in our community because of innovative life enrichments, vocational skills training, specialized post-secondary educational programs, community based residential supports, and employment placement services they received through MTC.
“Our founder, J. Clifford MacDonald was a man of hope,” says MTC President, Karenne Levy.
“Mr. MacDonald put hope into action when he opened one of the first preschools for children with
disabilities. He, understood the power of education and the dignity of employment. He elevated the national consciousness of what might be possible. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his vision and action. He dreamed big and so do we at MTC today. I think he would be proud of our advancements in equitable educational and employment programming for people with all disabilities. We expand the possibilities for young people on the brink of adulthood, to seniors aging in place, by providing opportunities for individuals to unite with the community each step of their lives.”
“MacDonald Training Center has served my family, and helped my older brother Juan for many years.
There is no one and nothing in this community like them,” says Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera who
sponsored the commendation. “Our entire community benefits, is more diverse, compassionate and
welcoming, because of the dedicated men and women at MacDonald Training Center.”
For more information, please visit www.macdonaldcenter.org
Contact: Phyllis Guthman, Director of Advancement, pguthman@macdonaldcenter.org or 813 205-1971
