Features:
- Sensory Room at Plaza Neighborhood Center
- The Personal Request App Returns!
Community Spotlight:
AF School-to-Work Program (Special Shoutout: Sierra Lily)
Community Connections:
Thank you, Fit & Fun Playscapes!
Upcoming Events:
- ThinkWealth Think Pickleball Classic
- Spring Break Registration
Follow us on Social Media!
Give an Online Gift & Support FAFNY
|
|
New Sensory Room at Plaza Neighborhood Center |
Pictured above are Abilities First Day Hab participant Dale Kemp, Abilities First Foundation Board members Marlo De La Rosa, Brianna McKee, and Christopher Gilbert, and Abilities First Director of Development JoAnn Parker getting a feel for the new space. |
A small grant, a good idea, and a little creativity can go a long way to create positive experiences for our Day Habilitation program participants. A staff member at our Plaza Neighborhood Center suggested converting a small, unused room into a sensory room and Abilities First Director of Development JoAnn Parker immediately set the project in motion.
Abilities First Director of Grants Marcy Handler secured a $3,000 award from Ulster Savings Bank to fund a space where individuals could take a break from the hectic activities of Day Hab and find a moment of respite and calmness. Plaza Neighborhood Center staff transformed the room with space-themed decorations to create a truly “out-of-this-world” experience.
Pictured below is Dale Kemp demonstrating the coziness of the space capsule tent.
|
|
The Personal Request App Returns! |
|
We are pleased to announce the relaunch of the Personal Request App (PRA)! The PRA is an online form that allows Abilities First employees to submit personal requests on behalf of those supported by our programs and services. The app promotes person-centered services and ensures the voices of those we support (and our employees) are heard.
Sheree Hughes of Abilities First Employment Services learned that one of her students attending Dutchess Community College for his Computer Programming degree would need a computer with ample RAM, Visual Studio, and a top-notch graphics processing unit (GPU). Sheree has worked with this family for almost three years and felt compelled to take action on his behalf. She submitted a request using the PRA, kicking off a collective plan to help the family in which the Foundation for Abilities First NY's Board of Directors created a dedicated fundraising campaign to raise funds to purchase the computer.
“The father is a single parent trying to raise three kids, two with disabilities. They are a good, sweet, hardworking family that needs a little help,” said Sheree.
|
|
AF School-to-Work Program (Special shoutout: Sierra Lily)
|
Pictured left: Haley, Kelly from Sierra Lily & Ashley. Pictured right: Haley & Ashley. |
The Abilities First School-to-Work program aims to help students with disabilities use their high school job as a transition from school to the workforce. The program works with students, school districts, and local businesses to place, train, and mentor these students while they work to meet their 216-hour Community Vocational Training requirements.
Abilities First is proud to partner with local businesses like Sierra Lily. Abilities First students Haley and Ashley work with Kelly and the Sierra Lilly team 4-5 days a week. Haley and Ashley learn employment skills and “soft” skills during their shift while having fun modeling some of the boutique’s merchandise.
If you are a local business that’s interested in learning more about the Abilities First School-to-Work program, please contact Patricia Brown at patriciabrown@abilitiesfirstny.org.
|
|
Thank you, Fit & Fun Playscapes! |
Pictured above: Abilities First staff & students explore the new stickers in the hallways! |
Abilities First is proud to partner with Fit & Fun Playscapes (based locally in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) to create more opportunities for physical activity and movement for our students.
The Abilities First Preschool at Executive Drive, Abilities First School at Straus Family Pavilion, and Abilities First School at LaGrange (Firemens Way) have received generous support from Fit & Fun Playscapes with the perfect set of sensory pathway stickers for the school hallways. When a student leaves the classroom, they can follow a path of butterfly numbers and rainbow ribbons, enhancing creativity and movement.
Fit & Fun Playscapes was founded in 2011 by Pam Gunther, a mother of three young boys, in response to the need for colorful, innovative games that would engage kids longer, motivate them to be more physically active, keep them productive, and integrate educational concepts kinesthetically.
Thank you to Pam and her team for their support! To learn more about motor sensory materials or view resources and tools, visit fitandfunplayscapes.com.
|
|
Abilities First is thrilled to announce the ThinkWealth Think Pickleball Classic!
|
|
Spring Break is right around the corner, so don’t forget to register for our Spring Break Day Camp!
|
|
For the latest in pictures, agency information, and happenings, follow us on social media! |
|
|
Support the Foundation for Abilities First NY |
|
Did you know you can give a gift online with PayPal?
Scan the QR code to donate today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
