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Tampa's Conscious Coconut beauty oil gets production boost from people with autism and Down syndrome

People with disabilities are building resumes
workers Conscious Coconut
Posted at 3:40 AM, Jul 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-16 11:35:19-04

TAMPA, Fla. — When “The View” featured Tampa-based Conscious Coconut health and beauty oil this week, homegrown founder Danielle Conte knew sales could spike.

She also knew she had dozens of people at the MacDonald Training Center making sure her hot product would be ready to ship.

“Not only is it incredible knowing that you’re giving adults with disabilities an opportunity to grow and thrive and really lead the lives that they choose, but our work is getting done,” says Conte.

Tampa’s MacDonald Training Center prepares people with autism, Down syndrome and developmental disabilities for the workforce.

RELATED: MacDonald Training Center turns your old electronics into jobs, skills

As well as getting paid for their work, the dozens of students packaging and preparing Conscious Coconut are building their resumes.

You can see Conscious Coconut products with 50% taken off on July 16 only here.

“They’re working as a team which is really critical for being successful out in the community,” says Karenne Levy, president and CEO of the MacDonald Training Center.

When Conte created Conscious Coconut, her plan was “giving back and helping others to be embedded in every step of the process.”

Conscious Coconut is also Fair Trade Certified with proceeds benefiting Feeding America food banks.