We believe that labeling someone’s needs as “special” or “disabled” does not address or convey the true condition. That condition is best described as an individual who requires or has “additional needs” that, if met, allow for greater opportunities and possibilities.
To achieve the mission and vision ANI is providing a user friendly and time-saving website with current and comprehensive information of available resources to assist children and adults with additional needs and their families in finding appropriate services.
By employing individuals with additional needs to research and maintain the website, we provide a platform for them to share their abilities and unique insights and ideas. The website is also a vehicle for educating employers about the benefits of hiring individuals with additional needs as well as connecting them to employees.
The mission of Additional Needs is to transform societal perspectives on disability and special needs, using the term “additional needs,” and to offer convenient access to valuable resources and tools. These resources aim to empower individuals with additional needs to achieve their maximum potential.
The vision of Additional Needs, Inc. is to cultivate a compassionate society where individuals with additional needs are equipped with the essential opportunities and support to realize their fullest potential.
This journey started with a simple question to a friend: “Do you know of a place or an activity I can volunteer for?” That led me to Art Fest Naples, where I volunteered to help raise awareness and support for individuals with additional needs. Through this experience, I met families who deeply inspired me and made me realize the importance of sharing knowledge to help children with additional needs reach their full potential.
As I became more involved with the art fest, my personal life took a significant turn with the birth of our son Jack. Despite a smooth pregnancy, complications during labor led to a difficult delivery. Shortly after his birth, we learned that Jack had Down syndrome and a heart condition requiring surgery. This discovery threw us into a world of searching for resources, often facing frustration at the lack of easily accessible information.
Motivated by our experiences and the challenges of finding information, I decided to create DownsyndromeNaples.com—a website dedicated to gathering all the resources for individuals with Down syndrome in our area. This platform aimed to make it easier for others to find the help they needed, just as the Kandel and Stanley families had done for me.
With time, I expanded my vision to include all additional needs, leading to the creation of Additional Needs, Inc. Our goal is to provide comprehensive resources and tools to support individuals with additional needs and their families. Today, Jack is doing well, and I hope that one day, if he wishes, he will continue this mission and run the company.
Cory Crocker first worked with students having additional needs at a public high school in Maine, both as a teacher in a traditional classroom and as a supervisor in a jobs training program for his students. Cory then taught at public schools in Osaka, Japan from 1995-1997, before working for the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles managing education, cultural exchange and scholarship programs. Cory returned to Maine in 2004, first working as an International Trade Advisor for the Maine International Trade Center, and then working for Diversified Communications, an international tradeshow, conference and digital media company with 750 employees worldwide. Cory is currently the Senior Manager of Strategy & Corporate Development for Diversified, focusing on mergers & acquisitions, equity investments, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and strategic planning. Cory lives in Maine with his wife, three children and his dog, Lexi Captain Fuzzypants Crocker. He coaches youth soccer and basketball, and is the Treasurer for his town’s travel soccer club.
Brett was born and raised in Maine and then received his bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School of Business undergraduate program at the University of Pennsylvania. He started his professional career at Ernst & Young where he specialized in accounting and consulting for publicly traded companies. Brett then joined the Walt Disney Company at their corporate headquarters and he quickly rose to Director of Strategic Alliances, where he was responsible for developing and managing global alliances and marketing partnerships with other Fortune 50 companies that included Visa, AT&T, Coca-Cola, and Federal Express. Brett then left the corporate world to start his own consultancy, and now works as an entrepreneur developing real estate and other startup ventures.
General manager responsible for all retail store operations in Surefoot NYC flagship store Top producing store in chain of 24 locations 1st year increase in sales 30% 4 out of 5 years in NYC I have produced the ‘best year’ in sales revenue and profit Corporate Training Manager at 8 store running specialty chain in NYC Develop in implement training systems in custom orthotic sales and fabrication Collaborate with store managers on improving all metrics, UPT, DPT and service excellence.
