Inclusion Revolution SRQ

07/21/2025

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention.

Last week, our team led a training at a local senior living center to help them onboard their first volunteers (soon-to-be employees, we hope!) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We covered everything from communication tips to creating a welcoming environment. Cody, Kelly, and Sarah had a blast and did a great job learning important new skills.

It’s these small but crucial steps that build a culture of inclusion.
If your business or organization is curious about doing the same, message us. Let’s make inclusion standard.
The Haven

07/15/2025

Rise Up Café Airport Update + Bigger News

To our amazing community:
We wanted to give you an update on something many of you have been excited about — the upcoming Rise Up Café location at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

After a lot of anticipation, communication challenges with the airport’s partner company have unfortunately led to the café project not moving forward.

But here’s the big picture:
This isn’t an ending. It’s a new chapter.
Inclusion Revolution has continued to grow behind the scenes — and we’re proud to share that many of our employees from the original Rise Up Café, as well as new team members, have secured meaningful, community-integrated employment across Sarasota thanks to our new partnership with ⭐️ 🤩⭐️

✅ Several are joining the team at Sarasota Memorial Hospital
✅ Others are now thriving in workplaces that reflect the real diversity of our community
✅ Instead of being grouped in one spot, our team members are fully woven into the workforce, sharing their strengths with new coworkers and customers every day

This shift has created something powerful:
→ More visibility
→ More inclusion
→ More long-term opportunity

We’re proud of what Rise Up Café stood for — and even more proud of how far our mission has come.

We’re grateful for your continued support, and we’ll be sharing more soon about how you can keep showing up for disability employment and inclusion in Sarasota. 💙💪

06/18/2025

Izzy had a blast sharing some of the new happenings with Inclusion Revolution Integrated Jobs and our Big Magic Studios art program run by Erin Shriver.

Today, we learned how a local organization is helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities get a job.

06/02/2025

Meet Izzy⁠
Age: 24⁠
Lives at: The Haven⁠
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Izzy’s dream art collab? None other than Salvador Dali—because surreal vibes, wild imagination, and that epic mustache? Yes, please. His mom took him to the Dali Museum growing up, and the creative spark never left.⁠
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If he had his way, every art studio would come with a dragon. Not just for the firepower, but for what dragons really stand for: strength, courage, and kindness. (And let’s be real—they look cool.)⁠
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Izzy’s art bends reality, breathes fire, and invites you into a world where anything’s possible.

04/30/2025

Meet Ellie – Big Magic Artist
Fresh into her twenties and already painting her way through life like a seasoned dreamer. Inspired by European travels and Sarasota’s cultural mash-up, Ellie’s art brings flair, soul, and a hint of wanderlust. She’s here to inspire, to create, and (not-so-secretly) to impress University of Tampa admissions. Interior design is her future, but Big Magic is her now—and every brushstroke is a step toward turning spaces into otherworldly escapes.

04/24/2025

Meet Cassidy, one of our Big Magic Studio artists!

She’s all about sunshine, the , and that salty Sarasota breeze. But don’t get it twisted—Cassidy isn’t just here for the vibes. As someone living with epilepsy, she’s navigating life one mindful step at a time, proving that “disabled” doesn’t mean “less than”—it means differently brilliant.

Cassidy wants the world to know: being disabled isn’t a weakness, it’s just a remix of normal—and honestly, who wants basic anyway?

Her favorite quote? Straight from Easterseals: “Different, but able.” And Cassidy? She’s living proof.

04/22/2025

Meet Julia, one of Big Magic Studio’s radiant artists whose heart beats to the rhythm of the ocean waves and the jingle of boutique doors in sunny Sarasota. 💛🌴 She’s a beach bum with a shopping bag in one hand and a sketchbook in the other, and she’s turning life’s curveballs into creative gold.

Recently, Julia faced one of the hardest heartbreaks of all—the passing of her beloved dog, Lily. 🐶💔 But instead of letting grief dim her light, she leaned into positive thinking, art, and the hope of welcoming a new furry friend soon. (Let’s be honest, this next pup has big paws to fill.)

Through Big Magic, Julia isn’t just looking to sharpen her artistic chops—though, trust us, she’s got skills we might just need her to teach. 🎨✨ She’s also here to meet new people, form friendships, and remind all of us that healing and hope can show up in the form of a paintbrush, a sunset walk, or the joy of saying, “Let’s make art together.”

We’re lucky to have her energy, humor, and style in the studio. Give it up for Julia—beachside muse and Big Magic superstar! 🏖️🎉💫

04/22/2025

Happy Birthday to our radiant Big Magic Studios queen, Ellerie!

Today she turned another year more fabulous, conquered the bocce court like a champ, and continues to grace us with top-tier dad jokes that deserve a comedy award. Oh, and did we mention her new sidekick Luna? The cutest service pup on the planet! 🐶

We love you, Ellerie — keep making art, 🖼️ making us laugh 😂 , and making the world 🌍 brighter. ☀️

Long live the Dad Joke Queen! 👸

04/19/2025

Our first artists arrived today, the first 4 out of 60 total!! Ellie, Cass, Kristi and Julia all worked on and completed their first paintings which will be exhibited amongst their peers this Fall at

Stay tuned, we’re just getting started!

04/19/2024

Gotta keep the gang busy while we prep to open our next Rise Up Cafe at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)! Thanks to the whole team and Don Herndon for captaining the crew!

04/10/2024

30 minutes left to double your impact for our supporting nonprofit, Inclusion Revolution. Ava and Kristi are so proud to have a space to share their abilities, and they’re pretty darn happy to get paychecks and tips! Donate through The Giving Challenge before noon today at bit.ly/49gJp1w The Patterson Foundation Community Foundation of Sarasota County

04/10/2024

The clock is ticking! The Giving Challenge ends today at noon. Please consider a donation to our supporting nonprofit, Inclusion Revolution to help us continue lifting up people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inclusion. Jobs. Dignity. Your donation (up to $100) will be matched by The Patterson Foundation. Hurry, hurry!
The Patterson Foundation Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Donation link - bit.ly/49gJp1w