In the News

AbilityFirst is grateful for the support from the media!

AbilityFirst Announces New CEO Sergio Rizzo-Fontanesi 6.1.2024

Pasadena Now’s  Full story here

Camp Paivika’s Diamond Jubilee Brings Happy Reunions 7.2023

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Average Socialite – 2023 AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival 6.2023

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Downtown LA News – Delectable Flavors and Fine Wines Set for Upcoming AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival 6.2023

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2023 AbilityFirst Festival at Laurabelle A. Robinson House (laartyparty.com) 6.2023

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Lori Gangemi Announced as Nominee for Nonprofit Executive of the Year by Los Angeles Business Journal 5.2023

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AbilityFirst Changed Myles Bryant’s Perspective: Now He’s Honoring them for MyCause, My Cleats (patriots.com) 12.2022

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AbilityFirst featured in the Pasadena Outlook “Leaders in Charity” 12.2022

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AbilityFirst’s Stroll & Roll Event Raises $600,000 11.17.22

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AbilityFirst Stroll & Roll Event at Santa Anita Park 11.12.22

Full video here

AbilityFirst’s Stroll & Roll Saturday Goes on at Santa Anita Racetrack 11.11.22

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For A Good Cause: Rainbows for AbilityFirst raises $71,000 11.2.22

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AbilityFirst Reopens Long Beach Center After 18 months of Construction and $6M Campaign 10.30.22

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AbilityFirst Prepares for Its Stroll & Roll Fundraiser 10.6.22

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AbilityFirst back home in refurbished Long Beach Center – Press Telegram 10.4.22

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AbilityFirst celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 9.22.22

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Local Experts Observe Rising Autism Rates Among Children and Teens – Pasadena Now 8.24.22

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Mr. Pasadena (Video) – AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival 6.24.22

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Outlook Newspapers (Print and Online) – AbilityFirst Festival Has Food, Wine Galore 6.20.22

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Pasadena NOW – Guests Sipped, Savored & Celebrated at 2022 AbilityFirst Food & Wine 6.6.22

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DTLA Weekly – Full House and Full Plates AbilityFirst Food & Wine Fest 6.6.22

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Outlook Newspapers (Print & Online) – Food and Wine festival to Benefit AbilityFirst 6.3.22

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Hey SoCal – Pasadena Independent (Online) – The AblityFirst Food and Wine Festival Returns in Person for 2022 6.2.22

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Pasadena NOW WeekendR – Enjoy A Delicious Food And Wine Festival At A Gorgeous Pasadena Estate, Support Worthy Nonprofit AbilityFirst 5.29.22

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The AbilityFirst Food and Wine Festival Returns In Person For 2022 6.2.22

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AbilityFirst Moves, Renews Food Festival 5.26.22

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AbilityFirst Announces New Board Members – Pasadena Outlook and South Pasadena Review 2.24.22

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AbilityFirst Announces New Board of Directors Members – Pasadena Now 2.8.22

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AbilityFirst Announces New Board Chair (South Pasadena Review) 1.28.22

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AbilityFirst Announces New Board Chair, David Saeta (Pasadena Outlook) 1.27.22

Local resident David Saeta has been elected as the new board chair at AbilityFirst, the Pasadena-based nonprofit organization has announced.

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AbilityFirst Takes People First Approach to Disability Care 1.13.22

While the nonprofit initially focused on providing day programs and therapies, as more schools began to provide these same services, AbilityFirst recognized the needs that weren’t being met, which largely includes social recreation and independent living skills.

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AbilityFirst Celebrates Renovated Center Grand Opening 11.4.21

AbilityFirst recently held the grand opening of its Pasadena flagship location, the AbilityFirst Lawrence L. Frank Center, on Thursday, Oct. 21.

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Grand Opening of Newly Renovated Lawrence L. Frank Center in Pasadena 10.25.21

Following its merger with FVO Solutions, Inc. in the Fall 2020, AbilityFirst marked another milestone with the grand opening of its primary location in Pasadena on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021.

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Finding Fulfillment on the Production Floor 10.05.21

People with disabilities assemble a variety of tools that are used at federal office buildings, military installations, and more. Every item, whether big or small, plays a role in keeping our federal government running.

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AbilityFirst Celebrates Merger with Ribbon-Cutting (South Pasadena Review)  9.10.21

By joining forces, AbilityFirst and FVO Solutions are uniquely positioned
to deliver critical and transformational support services to an expanded population of more than 2,000 people with developmental disabilities and their families throughout Los Angeles County.

Full article here

AbilityFirst Celebrates Merger with Ribbon-Cutting (Pasadena Outlook) 9.9.21

“This merger has allowed us to expand each of our unique services while ensuring that people with disabilities and their families have a wider access to a variety of programs that can help to transform their lives. It has been a truly remarkable experience so far and we look forward to what the future holds for our united organizations,” said AbilityFirst CEO Lori Gangemi.

Full article here

Nonprofits Merge to Provide Critical Support Services 8.26.21

At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, the nonprofit, once known as the Crippled Children’s Society, celebrated a merger with FVO Solutions Inc., formerly known as Foothill Vocational Opportunities. Local dignitaries were in attendance including Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, state Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, and Pasadena City Council members.

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Pasadena Nonprofit That Help Developmentally Disabled, Celebrate Merge 8.21.21

With 95 years of experience and more than 50 years in Pasadena, two nonprofit organizations, AbilityFirst and FVO Solutions Inc., celebrated a successful merge during a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.

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Making Something Good, Bigger and Better 8.18.21

Pasadena nonprofits AbilityFirst and FVO Solutions finalize their merger to create stronger, more efficient programs

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AbilityFirst Keeps Camp Paivika Virtual, Prepares for Annual ‘Stroll & Roll’ 8.6.21

Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, Camp Paivika has traditionally offered overnight summer programs for people of all ages with mild to severe developmental and physical disabilities. Camp Paivika is part of AbilityFirst, a California nonprofit that focuses on individual capabilities and the expanding of possibilities and opportunities for those with special needs.

Full article here

Keeping Camp Going – Virtually 6.24.21

The camp, which was started in 1947, usually serves children from the age of 9 through adults with a range of disabilities. Their mission, Kunsek said, “is to help individuals with disabilities live their best lives and provide support to them and their families to do that.”

Full article here

AbilityFirst Fundraisers Defy Pandemic to Strengthen Mission 6.17.21

Taking a page from the “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures” handbook, AbilityFirst has achieved a pandemic-era feat by so far raising 90% of the $5.9 million sought by a capital campaign to help the nonprofit meet the changing needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Full article here

Virtual AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival – LA Art Party 6.10.21

Proceeds from the festival and online auction directly benefit AbilityFirst whose mission is to support people with developmental disabilities to successfully transition from childhood to adult life.

Full story here

AbilityFirst Announces Capital Campaign to Enhance Programs 5.6.21

Through these building improvements, enhancements, and program expansions from its capital campaign, AbilityFirst will better serve people with disabilities.

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AbilityFirst Nears Fundraising Goal for Renovations of Facilities in Pasadena,
Long Beach 4.28.21

To better meet the changing needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, the organization has planned renovations and program updates for both its community centers in Pasadena and Long Beach that opened more than 50 years ago.

AbilityFirst Nears Fundraising Goal for Renovations of Facilities in Pasadena, Long Beach – Pasadena Now

AbilityFirst and FVO Solutions Join Forces to Defend People with Developmental Disabilities | South Pasadena 3.8.21

AbilityFirst and FVO Solutions Join Forces to Advocate for People with Developmental Disabilities 3.8.21

Two longstanding, Pasadena-based nonprofit organizations that serve individuals with developmental disabilities in Southern California recently announced a historic and innovative merger. By joining forces, AbilityFirst and FVO Solutions, will be better positioned to advocate for people with developmental disabilities in the greater Los Angeles area and support efforts toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.

https://southpasadenan.com/abilityfirst-and-fvo-solutions-join-forces-to-advocate-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities

AbilityFirst Supports Clients  Working On Frontlines 4.23.20