Program areas at AbilityFirst
Community center programs:abilityfirst operates five community centers in los angeles county, serving 1,237 children and adults. Our person-centered programs empower individuals with developmental disabilites to discover what is important to them in their lives, and to develop the skills that are important for them to achieve their goals. Programs include afterschool and summer day camp programs for school-aged youth, adult day and social recreation programs; and community aquatics.
Camping services:camp paivika is located in the san bernardino mountains and offers a summer camp program where children and adults with developmental disabilites experince fun activites including swimming, arts and crafts; adaptive sports, nature programs, and theater arts. In 2023, camp paivika offered typical sleep-away summer camp, a friends and family camp, and virtual camp through "paivika at home" offered during the non-summer months. In 2023, camp programs serviced 408 individuals.
Community based:abilityfirst's supported employment program provided 353 adults and youth with disabilities with vocational and skill assessment, job placement and on-the-job support in competitive job markets in their communities in a wide range of industries. The Abilityfirst college to career program supported 83 students with developmental disabilities enrolled at community colleges and universities in southern California. In addition to the student's academic coursework, the program incorporates self-discovery and community exploration to empower students to achieve their academic and career goals. The Abilityfirst possability program served 70 adults in the pasadena and los angeles area, providing community integration activities, including volunteering and interest exploration.