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By the United Way of Western Connecticut | June 8, 2016

Gift of play to benefit families in the KT Murphy neighborhood in Stamford

The United Way of Western Connecticut (UWWC) announced today a grant award of $20,000 to Abilis, a nonprofit agency that runs family centered programs for infants and toddlers as part of its Birth to Three program. The grant will be used to bring “Play to Learn” playgroups to families who reside in the KT Murphy Elementary School neighborhood in Stamford.

 

The “Play to Learn” playgroups will begin this summer and extend through the 2016 - 2017 school year. Held twice a week, these 90-minute sessions will provide direct and indirect instruction for parents and caregivers and play for children. Each playgroup outing will provide free play group time (with activities such as finger plays, stories, and music), a snack, a hands-on project or experience (such as making a craft or playing with a sensory item such as play dough), table-top manipulatives, and parent education. Parents will be connected with local resources such as the library and birth to three services.

“We know from national studies that playgroups provide foundational literacy and socialization skills for children and an opportunity for parents to meet and connect with other parents,” said Kim Morgan, CEO of UWWC.  “These playgroups will include time for parent education on topics such as understanding developmental milestones, baby bottle syndrome, and creating healthy meals for picky toddlers.”

The Play to Learn playgroups are part of UWWC’s KT Murphy Neighborhood Initiative aimed at ensuring that all children are ready for kindergarten. UWWC has committed to an initiative that provides both a broad community perspective and a targeted focus on the KT Murphy Elementary School neighborhood in Stamford. UWWC is partnering with foundations, local businesses, and community providers to offer programming in the areas of early literacy, parenting skills, early developmental screening, school orientation events, and financial stability and health of the families

800+

People Served

24

Hours a Day

365

Days a Year

70

Years of Service

40+

Homes

400

Staff Members

5

Businesses

80+

Community Partners

Therapeutic Services

Abilis is home to experts who work together to create a cohesive approach to personalized therapeutic care. Our therapies, housed in our Therapy Center, are administered using best practices and are available at Abilis or in the environments you choose, including your home and places in the community where the therapy will be the most effective.

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Life Services

Abilis provides needed supports to people throughout their lives. Our goal is to enhance each person’s quality of life through social activities, meaningful employment and high quality residential services. Our Life Services programs include health and wellness care delivered by certified professionals.

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The Individual Life Plan

The Individual Life Plan (ILP) is our signature service. Abilis works collaboratively with families to assess existing needs, plan for future needs, and create a personalized roadmap for anticipated therapeutic and life skills services for their family member with disabilities. From birth through adulthood to later stages in life, the ILP will help families and individuals with disabilities prepare for and successfully navigate major life transitions.

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Activities

Abilis offers social and recreational programs for children, teens, and adults. These programs range from weekly music, art, and cooking classes to monthly birthday parties with dancing and teen social gatherings with games and pizza. In addition to these regular events, Abilis schedules special outings to New York City and other destinations to enjoy arts events.

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Get Involved

Abilis depends upon dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to provide the wide range of high quality programs and services that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families need to live, learn, work, and enjoy life.

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Mission Vision Values

Abilis provides people with developmental disabilities and their families in Lower Fairfield County with supports and advocacy for building able lives and strong communities.

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