Princeton, NJ – Community Options, Inc., a leading national non-profit supporting people with disabilities, presented James Spano with the Betty Pendler Award in recognition of his advocacy and philanthropy on behalf of people with significant disabilities.

Community Options is a national non-profit that develops housing and employment supports for people with disabilities. Community Options supports over 5,000 people with disabilities across 10 states. Each year, Community Options presents the Betty Pendler Award to the person who best exemplifies the mission of the organization.

“Jim is a dedicated trustee of Community Options Enterprises and truly deserving of the Betty Pendler Award,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “Like Betty, his advocacy is motivated by a personal and singular love for his child, but the implications of his actions and leadership improve the lives of many other individuals with disabilities and their families.”

Spano joined the Board of Trustees of Community Options Enterprises in 2016. He is the Managing Director of Spano Partners Holdings, a real estate investment firm with a focus on renewable solar projects. Blending his two passions for disability rights and renewable energies, Spano’s company installed solar panels for 29 Community Options properties, saving the organization thousands in utility costs and providing emergency backup power for the homes. The project received significant praise from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and state legislators.

“I’m honored to accept this special award, a recognition I pray will encourage others to explore employment opportunities for those with special abilities particularly with the remote workplace opportunities that exist today,” said Spano. “As a national solar developer and financier, it’s truly a privilege to use my resources to serve the most vulnerable citizens in society with solar power.”

The prestigious award is named in honor of Betty Pendler, who fought tirelessly for the interests of people with disabilities. Having a daughter with Down Syndrome, Betty worked to educate the public and policymakers on the capabilities of people with disabilities.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment supports for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people from over 40 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information, please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the #AllItTakes campaign, search #AllItTakes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.