Abilis to Open Facility in New Canaan

Abilis, the human services organization that provides services for people with special needs, has been awarded a $25,000 grant to open a satellite facility in New Canaan.

The Greenwich-based agency announced the award from the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation as part of its “Thrive by 25” initiative, on Tuesday. The grant will provide start-up funds for Abilis to expand its successful Greenwich-based Life Skills program for young adults with developmental disabilities to a satellite location the agency will open in the former OUtback Teen Center building.

Abilis said expansion of the program “grew out requests from parents and school district personnel for community-based options to support students with special needs when they graduate from local high schools.”

The goal of the Abilis Life Skills program is to provide a transition for high school graduates by helping them develop interests and skills that will allow them to function more independently, obtain meaningful job opportunities, and participate more fully in community activities. Abilis launched its initial Life Skills program in Greenwich in 2007 with five participants. Now there 22 people between the age of 21 and 30, in the program.

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With demand for the program continuing to grow, Abilis wanted to provide opportunities for young adults living in nearby towns to participate in its Life Skills program in their home communities, consistent with best practice in the field, according to Abilis.

Abilis began looking for a satellite Life Skills location last summer in New Canaan. Last month Abilis signed an agreement to be the anchor tenant at the former Outback Teen Center that is being developed into a 6,000-square foot community facility to be known as “The Hub”.

Abilis said the location is ideal because of its proximity to community organizations including the New Canaan Public Library, local businesses for volunteer and job experiences, and the train station for access to activities and job sites in Stamford.

With start-up funds secured, plans are underway to launch the New Canaan Life Skills program on July 1.

For more information about the Abilis satellite Life Skills Program, please contact Luis Velasquez, Director of Transition Services at velazquez@abilis.us or (203) 531-1880, ext. 154.

Patch file photo: the former Outback Teen Center.