In 1979, a group of parents in Roswell realized that their community lacked a fundamental resource for their children with developmental disabilities. Once the children turn 14, the transition within the school system separates students, and by 18, there was no place that provided substantial care and enrichment for those with intellectual disabilities.
Seeking a place that could provide a nurturing home and quality support services for their kids, the parents co-founded enAble of Georgia.
Peggy Farris, whose son Evan, 35, is served by enAble, resonated with the sentiment. “As parents, we naturally are concerned with the well-being of our children,” she said. “Evan has been a part of this organization for 13 years, and it is comforting to us as family that he is receiving the best care and support that he deserves to live his best life.”
Farris also co-chaired the agency’s 25th Dare to Dream Gala which was held at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel on Saturday.
The 34-year-old agency has two campuses in Fulton county—one off of Mansell Road in Alpharetta and the other in College Park. It provides residential services in group homes, day and employment programs, and community living support for the individuals that either live with their families or on their own.
“This is a unique organization because this is an aging place agency,” said Executive Director Harry Stern. “There is no time limit on how long our residents stay, so it provides stability and continuity to not only those involved, but also their families and guardians.”
Enriching the lives of its residents and participants, enAble is starting an after-school program for the high-school students and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilties. Some of the programs will include improvisational comedy lessons with Shenanigans, a comedy troupe in Atlanta and dance classes taught by Full Radius, a company that brings artistic experience to schools, senior citizen centers and disability groups. The nonprofit will also begin a summer camp that will provide organic gardening, drama classes, and swimming lessons, just to name a few.
As the organization continues to expand, volunteers are needed year-round to ensure enAble's success for its participants. Groups can volunteer for gardening or clean up, participate in reading or singing, sponsor a picnic or so much more. "Volunteers not only help us as an organization, but the interaction also helps the people we serve," added Stern. "They love to meet new people and it becomes a very positive and stimulating experience for them."
The gala, with 500 attendees, raised over $200,000 for enAble of Georgia. The money raised will continue to support the programs and resources for Atlanta families.
As she looks forward to the drama classes portion of the summer camp, resident Cheryl Aitken happily said, “Everyone in the organization is my family, and I love it here. It is just so much fun!”
To volunteer with enAble of Georgia, visit www.enablega.org
In other news: Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation awarded 25 Lowe's Toolbox for Education grants in the state of Georgia, totaling more than $98,000. These schools were awarded a grant for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education. As the company's signature education grant program, Lowe's Toolbox for Education has donated more than $34 million to 7,500 K-12 public schools.
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