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February 19, 2017 | GreenwichFreePress.com

Christine Georgopulo, owner of Arthur Murray Grande Ballroom of Greenwich doesn’t hesitate when asked why she hosts a Valentine’s dance for the Abilis community. “It’s more fun for me than it is for them,” she said as the third annual dance heated up the studio on Lewis Street on Saturday night. “I love their energy. They make my year, every year. The Abilis staff are incredible. Dennis is incredible,” she continued, referring to Abilis CEO Dennis Perry.

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 Photo: Leslie Yager  Photo: Leslie Yager
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Photo: Leslie Yager Photo: Leslie Yager

 

Georgopulo, whose birthday happens to be Valentine’s Day, has always described dancing as a gift that makes people happy and joyous. In addition to the annual Sweetheart Dance for Abilis, she has also offered a group class at Greenwich Hospital Cancer Center, and her generosity has been noted in town. In 2016, she was one of 11 women to receive a BRAVA award from the YWCA Greenwich.

About a dozen couples attended Saturday’s Sweetheart dance. Many also attended last week’s Valentine’s dance at Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, which Abilis CEO Dennis Perry said drew about 70 people. After a whirl around the dance floor with Susie Figgie, the Abilis Event Coordinator Donna Krausman said the event inspired much anticipation.

“Just because they have special needs, they don’t experience love differently. Many of these couples have been together for many years,” she said. “They have feelings. They have relationships.”

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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