Cole Caruso founded the Community Resource Network of Florida, Inc. in 2009 when a similar organization had to close its doors because it was no longer able to provide for people who so desperately relied on the services they were receiving. Rather than see those people go unserved, Cole quickly developed CRN and poured his heart and soul into making it work for those who need it.

In 2011, Cole was approached to take on a struggling Life Skills Program providing daily schooling for 45 people in Cape Coral. Rather than turning down the extra work, he again stepped up and answered the call to serve those in need. That program now serves 100 people with disabilities each day, providing training so that they may join the workforce and become productive members of the community. The same situation happened again in 2013 with a Life Skills Program in Charlotte County. That program has grown from 40 to 100 individuals served daily.

Under Cole’s leadership, the company has grown 20-30 percent annually each of the last three years and provides support for more than 500 people with disabilities from Marco Island all the way to the Tampa Bay area. Community Resource Network of Florida Inc. is driven to help and advocate for individuals. Cole built the organization on the belief that every person should have access to individualized services to enhance their quality of life so that they may thrive at home and in the community.

Cole’s goal is to expand the organization’s reach so that it becomes the first choice for anyone in need. Still, Cole wants everyone behind the organization to remain true to their commitment to individualized, compassionate care, which is at the heart of who they are.

Cole is a dedicated businessman but loves to travel, often visiting Los Angeles and New York City, and anywhere on the water, at the beach, or on an island. He plays dad full-time to two adorable Yorkies, Samantha and Preston James, and he enjoys spending time with his family in Sarasota.

Beth graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Communications in 2008. She started working for Community Resource Network of Florida, Inc. in 2009 and quickly began to elevate in her positions. She is happily married and a mother to three beautiful children.

Beth provides oversight for community based services to ensure that CRN’s mission, vision and values are being achieved.

She makes things happen, all the while infusing the team she leads with an infectious energy and passion that empowers them to focus on every individuals wants and needs.

As a result of her hard work and dedication to CRN, community based services have grown significantly. Beth continues to advocate and be a voice to raise awareness of the many abilities people have regardless of disability. She takes great pride in building relationships and a trusting environment.

Beth is passionate about providing quality care to the individuals and families CRN serves. She is here to make a difference and is proud to work for an organization that puts the needs of others at the heart of everything they do.

Beth spent several years volunteering for The Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled and Florida Tri-county challenged baseball league. Beth enjoys spending time with family and friends, and advocating for special needs.

When starting with CRN in 2007, Michelle worked with children in their homes, helping them with personal care needs. In August 2012 Beth Gulling informed her of a position available at the Cape Coral ADT center as an instructor. She went there, met with Amy Wright and started working there the following day. July of 2013 Amy asked her if she would like to help her in the office and become her Quality Assurance Specialist. January 2018 an email was sent out about the Director of Charlotte Life Skills Program position being open. She applied and has been the Charlotte LSP Director since.

Michelle and her family love to take short weekend trips. They have recently been to Disney theme parks, Atlanta’s Shakespeare Tavern and a quiet getaway to a Tennessee cabin.

Before starting her career with CRN, Erin worked for the Lee County school district as a job coach for the Exceptional Student Education department, providing support for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Prior to that position, Erin worked at a nonprofit thrift store that partnered with the Southwest Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, a volunteer organization helping to eradicate Human Trafficking in SWFL.

Erin says she loves “nerdy things” including, but not limited to, big conventions and cosplay. She’s a huge Star Wars buff who enjoys karaoke, movies, reading and traveling.

Amanda always knew that she wanted to work with others. After graduating high school, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for ten years, with most of her experience focused on working with individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease. She later found her passion working with individuals with acquired brain injuries and disabilities because she could make a difference in their lives.

Amanda started her career with CRN in 2017 as an instructor in the 1:3 ratio class helping individuals who need a bit more care and attention. In early 2018, she stepped up to accept the role as Quality Assurance Specialist in order to provide the best care for the individuals at CRN.

Amanda is the mother of five children, ages 5 to 17, who are her heart, pride and joy. She was very active with her church community when she lived in Kentucky, directing the choir and organizing member events. Her hope is to resume that level of activity in the church soon. Amanda also enjoy singing, swimming, going to demolition derbies, reading a good book and cooking Mexican food. Her favorite shows are Grey’s Anatomy and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. But most of all, she loves spending time with family and friends.

Alex previously worked as a secretary for one of the largest schools in Lee County. Her experience with students from all walks of life has helped bring her a great sense of understanding and compassion. Before that, Alex worked for a CPA to personally manage business and personal finances. After a successful career in administration, she chose to further explore her educational path and graduated with honors from Florida Gulf Coast University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Service Administration, where she learned the art of human relations and work office functions in a healthcare setting.

Alex enjoys spending time with the new addition to her family by finding new and exciting local fun spots.

Neilyn lived in Spain for several years in a city close to Barcelona. Growing up in such a cultural and cosmopolitan city helped her to understand different cultures, meet people with different backgrounds and have more empathy for families that really need help. Her first job was in a metal manufacturing company as an estimator. Working there taught her how to handle complicated situations and deadlines. She also learned how to work and deal with difficult people, which has helped in a lot of life’s situations. After working as an estimator for a year and a half, she decided that she wanted a change in life and applied at CRN where she now works at the front desk helping with phone calls and processing applications. She currently processes applications for Collier County and bilingual cases to help as many families as possible.

Neilyn enjoys traveling and visiting new places, going to the movies, watching baseball and soccer games with family and friends, and watching puppy videos.

P.J. has worked in this field for six years. He began volunteering with the Exceptional Student Education class at his high school and immediately knew that this was the career path that he wanted to choose.  He loves what he does because making a difference in individuals’ lives is something that he’s very passionate about. People often tell him that the work he does changes lives and it takes a special person, but he says what they don’t realize is how much each individual has changed his life. “They teach me things daily and show me the importance of being happy daily and not to worry about the small everyday stresses that come with life.”

In his free time, P.J. loves watching and playing sports. He loves all New York sports teams: Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and Knicks. He also enjoys spending time with my family and friends any chance that I can.

Lindsay’s career has spanned multiple fields. She has done everything from delivering mail to working security for state and county buildings and parks in Ocean County, New Jersey. She has experience working at Best Buy including order fulfillment, working with Geek Squad and sales.  Lindsay’s career helping those with disabilities began when she was working overnights at a group home. After just one year on the job she was promoted to manager. After moving to Florida, Lindsay worked for Visiting Angels in home care assistance before beginning her role with CRN.

In her spare time, Lindsay loves to do outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking with her boyfriend and black lab, Kona. She also enjoys working on her truck for the challenge it provides, scrapbooking, and making personal wood solar lamps. On her crafting projects, Lindsay says she likes how there are different creative things you can use to make pieces one of a kind.

Before starting with CRN in early 2017, Eva lived abroad for eight years in both the United Kingdom and Peru. After studying for her master’s degree in Poverty and International Development in England, she moved to Peru to help start a nonprofit organization serving disadvantaged children. She managed the organization, Volunteers Peru, for three years before deciding it was time to come back home to Florida. While in Peru, Eva learned how important it was to her to help others and knew that was the kind of work she wanted to focus on when she moved back to the United States. Eva has a passion for increasing the quality of life for people with disabilities and other disadvantages and found that CRN’s work closely aligns to her values.

Eva loves being in nature, going for hikes and especially being by the water – either boating or going to the beach. She also loves to read and watch movies.

Clarissa started working with Community Resource Network of Florida, Inc. in 2013.

Clarissa has been working for individuals with disabilities since 2013. She worked with children and adults, serving them in their homes as a  Direct Support Provider and as an instructor at the Lee County Life Skills Program. She is currently serving as Lee County Life Skills Program Manager.

Clarissa loves to read, watch movies, and play video games with her children.

Clarissa has a compassionate, caring, diverse fun family.

Prior to working at CRN, Gabby had the opportunity to volunteer with the Special Olympics through the Cypress Lake High School and, after graduation, she continued her commitment to the organization and volunteered yearly. In July 2013, Gabby began as an administrative assistant and slowly began to help in different areas of the agency. Over the years, her skills and abilities to help those with disabilities continued to grow. She now serves as a Community Care Coordinator for the agency.

Gabby enjoys spending time with her family and loved ones, including her dog Xena. She enjoys being outdoors, going to parks and good food.

To Gabby, CRN means dedicated care without boundaries.

Bobbie started caring for others at the young age of 12 when she began assisting her mother who suffered a traumatic brain injury. She knew she wanted to help others to understand the need and importance of assistance in the homes. Bobbie started at CRN in 2008 in the transportation department. She decided she wanted to do more so shortly thereafter she became a Direct Support Provider assisting individuals in home and in the community. She also started volunteering at the Life Skills Program for field trips and art classes, which led to her becoming a substitute instructor. In 2017, Bobbie joined the Community Care Coordinator team in hopes of bringing assistance and awareness to more families.

The Crafting Queen. Bobbie makes beaded and leather jewelry, crotchets, sews, draws and dabbles in painting. She also loves to read books and comics!