As we reflect on another year of triumphs and challenges at AbilityFirst, we have chosen a theme for our 2008 annual report that exemplifies our mission: Imagine the Possibilities.

It is what we continually ask of ourselves and our incredible staff and volunteers. We ask it of our generous supporters and of those children, teens and adults with disabilities whom we serve. As we Imagine the Possibilities we build on our rich history, move forward, grow and secure a better future for those in need of our support, care and encouragement.

Looking back on fiscal year 2007-08 at AbilityFirst, allows us to celebrate all that we have accomplished together. We also proudly share new programs that we have set in motion to achieve future goals through inclusion activities, and new models for giving and community awareness.

Here are a few of the year’s highlights:

• We launched a $5 million capital campaign on September 20, 2007 to rebuild our small, out-dated Harry A. Mier Center, so vital to serving the Inglewood/South Los Angeles community. By December we had already achieved 100% giving from our Board members. The new AbilityFirst Joan and Harry A. Mier Center will be a completely accessible multi-use building that will permit us to increase the number of individuals we serve and to continue, sustain and enhance services.

• AbilityFirst Apartments Irvine, our tenth affordable-accessible apartment building, and our first in Orange County, opened to tenants in May, helping to address a critical need for such housing in the area. Designed in every aspect with the needs of individuals with disabilities in mind, the apartment complex allows people with special challenges to live with more dignity, increased independence and peace of mind.

• Our showing at the 2008 Los Angeles Marathon was our best ever, bringing in a grand total of $248,000, thanks to the fund-raising efforts and involvement of more than 600 AbilityFirst program participants, board members, staff and family members. We were spurred to new heights by a generous matching grant from the Forest Lawn Foundation and an exciting new presenting sponsorship from Comerica Bank.

• Summer 2008 brought two milestones:  our camp consolidation was successfully completed and AbilityFirst hosted a record 516 campers at our Camp Paivika. Participants who had attended our former Camp Joan Mier facility in Malibu now enjoy enriching activities and adventures at our beautiful Camp Paivika in the San Bernardino National Forest along with longtime Paivika campers, thanks to the construction of a fifth cabin, an expanded health care center and two additional summer sessions.

These highlights and more represent goals met for the third year of our 2005-2010 Strategic Plan, established to help AbilityFirst better serve children, teens and adults living with disabilities through guided efforts to Modernize Services, Professionalize Delivery of Services, Build Organizational Capabilities and Increase Financial Strength.

All of our successes, this year and every year, depend not only on our dedicated staff and volunteers, but on our loyal contributors and participants. We thank you for supporting the AbilityFirst vision, for your trust in our mission and for the invaluable gifts you provide to us with open hearts: your time, talents and resources. We invite you to move forward with us as we pledge to uphold our mission, fulfill our goals and Imagine the Possibilities.

Angela J. Reddock, Board Chair

Lori E. Gangemi, President and CEO