Being a local, I often get asked about the many non-profits here in our area. Abilis, a non-profit that has been in Greenwich for more than 65 years, is one of my absolute favorites. Abilis serves those who are disabled – and their clients have a range of disabilities from autism to down syndrome. The most amazing thing about Abilis is that over the years they have evolved from a non-profit that served the birth-to-three community, and then those with disabilities after they placed out of the public school system – to a non-profit that walks alongside those with disabilities for their entire life. If your child is born with delays or developmental disabilities the birth-to-three program steps in to give you the care and support you need to get your child back on track. The goal is always to get children back into the mainstream system of living and education, but if that’s not the case for your child after age three, Abilis sticks around. They are committed to helping parents and guardians take care of their clients and offer supplemental help after age three and beyond. Some of my favorite things that Abilis does is offering living environments to their clients who are not capable of living on their own, but with a full time caregiver on premises, can live independently of their parents. Many clients live with roommates who are also in the Abilis program, and they become family to each other, some living together until the end of their lives. The independence these homes and apartments foster is so important to those with disabilities and their families too. Abilis offers job training as well, and their clients can work in house at the Abilis gift store/coffee shop/outdoor maintenance company, or many of the Abilis clients work in our community where the Life Services team at Abilis helps them to secure traditional jobs. We all want the same things for our children – happy productive lives, where they are getting an education, living in community, and feeling a sense of pride in the work they do. I love that Abilis evens the playing field and makes sure all members of our community have access to these things that many of us take for granted.
There are so many ways you can help Abilis. Giving donations packs a big punch, because as state funding has been cut, Abilis relies on donations to keep their robust programs going every day. If you don’t have money to donate, there are plenty of other things you can do with Abilis. My girls and I serve dinner to a home once a month – where 6 women from Abilis have been living together for 7 years. We do crafts, read books, and eat a meal together. It is without a doubt the highlight of all of our month. Abilis needs people to help in just about any way you can imagine, so please don’t hesitate to call them if you’d like to get involved. You can call the main office at 203-531-1880 or donate here.
I was honored to have been hired by Abilis to make a second video for their gala this year (below). Last year’s video can be found here! If you watch you’ll get a sense of the life-changing work Abilis is doing in our community every day.
Beautiful video, Lindley! Thank you for shining a light on those who need a hand up to thrive.