Kara's Fundraising Page!

When my son Ben was nearing the end of high school, I remember feeling something that many parents of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) know too well: the fear of “What happens next?”

Ben is kind, funny, gentle, and incredibly hard-working. He thrives when he is part of a community and when he has a purpose. But like many families, we learned that once school ends, the supports, structure, and opportunities that young adults with IDD need to succeed begin to disappear. Programs existed, but few offered the kind of hands-on job training, confidence-building, and belonging that Ben, and so many others, deserved.

That’s why ABLED was born.

Today, when I walk into our program and see Ben and his peers practicing real job skills; learning how to properly sanitize a kitchen, completing clerical tasks, organizing inventory, greeting customers, managing a routine, or working as part of a team, I see possibility. I see young adults who are preparing for competitive integrated employment and a future where their talents are recognized and valued.

Every smile, every small victory, every new skill learned is a reminder that ability is everywhere: opportunity is what’s missing. And that’s what ABLED provides.

Our clients work hard. They push through challenges. They learn the technical and social-emotional skills that workplaces require. They build friendships. They find confidence. They dream bigger. And many, like ABLED alumnus John, take their first steps into paid internships and ultimately into the workforce.

But we cannot do this without the support of our community.

Your donation ensures:

• Clients receive high-quality, individualized job training
• We can expand employer partnerships and paid internships
• Adults with IDD have the support they need to work, grow, and thrive

When you give to ABLED, you’re not just donating to a program: you’re investing in futures.

You’re helping someone’s child, sibling, or friend take a step closer to the dignity of a paycheck, the pride of a job well done, and the joy of a life filled with purpose.

This GivingTuesday, I hope you will join us again. Because when our community believes in adults with disabilities, the future becomes brighter: not just for Ben, but for every single person who walks through our doors.

Together, we can build a world where every person with IDD has the chance to work, belong, and shine.

Go ABLED!