As the challenging 2008/2009 fiscal year closes, we embark on a new year, facing similar challenges including the continuing economic recession and California state budget crisis.

Over the last year, our staff has remained absolutely dedicated while also delivering top quality programs to children and adults with disabilities. Our friends – board of directors, committees and community leaders and volunteers – have provided invaluable guidance and assistance when we have needed it the most. And our donors continued to step forward helping us reach our financial goals. Thank you!

The challenges we faced in 2008/2009 dared us to change direction, think differently and question the way we do things. We had to reduce expenses by putting capital improvements that are not safety-related on hold. We’ve frozen salaries for staff and eliminated positions as a result of decreased funding from the State of California. Meanwhile, we have asked our donors to continue, and even increase, their giving when possible.

In spite of the recession, we made great strides this year:

• Our capital campaign to rebuild our Harry A. Mier Center gained momentum. The new AbilityFirst Joan and Harry A. Mier Center will allow us to significantly increase enrollment and modernize our services with programs that meet the needs of people with disabilities today and in the future.
• We continued our tradition of participating as an Official Charity of the Los Angeles Marathon while expanding our Marathon Campaign to include the Santa Anita Derby Day 5K. Nearly 800 program participants representing our 24 locations, along with board members, staff and family members together raised over $241,000. This significant feat included a matching grant from the Forest Lawn Foundation and a major sponsorship from Comerica Bank.
• AbilityFirst continues its long partnership with the United Way, through its “Pathways out of Poverty” initiative. We completed the second year of a three year grant awarded by the United Way which supports our goal of increasing the number of adults with developmental disabilities who are employed in our community.
• New corporate and foundation partnerships were established. Verizon held their “Day of Giving” at our Long Beach Center where their employees volunteered time to paint and clean the facility. Verizon also donated FiOS TV and high-speed internet service, along with a $35,000 grant. The Rose Hills Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant for the East Los Angeles Center to help children achieve their personal goals with the assistance of technology. Sempra Energy contributed $25,000 to support all eight of our after-school enrichment programs.
• The AbilityFirst Board of Directors continued to focus on good governance practices by restructuring our board committees and task forces, and creating a self-assessment tool for each member to evaluate his or her own contributions to the organization each year.

Most importantly, and the real accomplishment of the year, is that AbilityFirst served more than 2,000 people with disabilities. Each and every day goals were proudly achieved as children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities learned new skills and made new friends, helping to build their self esteem and broaden their horizons.

AbilityFirst programs are as strong or stronger today than ever before. No matter the economic tide or other challenges that appear, we will continue to focus our efforts on the children and adults we serve. Our priority is to help individuals with disabilities realize their full potential throughout their lives. Please join us in our mission!

Carol Llewellyn
Board Chair

Lori Gangemi
President and CEO