Ability KC

Happy Thanksgiving from Ability KC! This season, we’re reflecting on the incredible impact we’ve made together. Each day, we are honored to provide life-changing services and unwavering support to individuals and families in our community and beyond, creating opportunities that truly transform lives. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our exceptional Board, the tireless efforts of our team, and the steadfast generosity of our community. Your unwavering support helps us achieve our goal of creating opportunities and ensuring inclusion for everyone we serve. Every act of kindness, big or small, fuels hope and paves the way for brighter futures. As we look ahead, we invite you to join us on?#GivingTuesday, December 3rd, or visit www.abilitykc.org/give/ to learn how you can help us make a lasting difference. From all of us at Ability KC, thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. #AbilityKC

As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re inspired by the generosity of our community. At Ability KC, we ignite possibilities that transform lives for individuals with disabilities—from starting kindergarten to returning to work, the impact of your support is endless. In just one week,?#GivingTuesday?offers the chance to champion change, helping people of all ages and abilities reach their full potential. This season of gratitude, let’s turn thankfulness into action. Your gift empowers individuals to achieve their goals and build brighter futures. Mark your calendars and learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gbiwR-AB #AbilityKC?#GivingTuesday?#ChampionForChange?#IgnitePossibilities

On Thursday, November 14, we had the pleasure of attending the Kansas City Area Development Council’s (KCADC’s) Annual Meeting to celebrate the KC region’s remarkable achievements over the past year and explore the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for our city. KCADC shared impressive updates on corporate attraction successes and transformative community projects driving economic progress. It’s truly an exciting time to be in Kansas City, and we’re proud to be part of this growing community of innovators! #AbilityKC

We’re thrilled to share that three outstanding members of our therapeutic preschool team represented Ability KC on the national stage at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference last week in California! Preschool Program Director Jewell Cockrum, Program Analyst and Logistics Manager Kyle Boehr, and Lead Teacher Belinda Peister led two impactful sessions to an audience of over 8,200 attendees from all 50 states and three other countries. Their presentations—“Challenging Implicit Disability Bias: An Answer to Critical Staff Shortages in Early Education” and “Joyful Engaged Learning through Play for Children of Differing Abilities”—highlighted disability bias, inclusive practices, and therapeutic play adaptations for children with varying abilities, inspiring attendees to adopt more inclusive practices. At Ability KC, our therapeutic preschool program creates joyful, supportive, and inclusive early learning experiences that empower children to thrive. We’re grateful to have had the opportunity to attend and share our mission on such a large platform and honored to see how our expertise can drive positive change in early education beyond our walls. ?? Ready to learn more about our unique program? Visit our website for details!?#AbilityKC?#NAEYC2024?#InclusiveEducation

As we embrace November, a season of gratitude, we reflect on the remarkable lives of community leaders who made lasting contributions to Kansas City. In 1947, Mary Shaw Branton, Jeanette Luhnow and Jane Dick founded the therapeutic preschool for children with complex abilities and needs. In honor of Shawsie’s birthday, her family and our team continue the tradition of a heartfelt visit bringing gifts and countless smiles to the children whose lives are touched by her vision. We also honor the legacies of Don Hall and SuEllen Fried, two pillars of compassion and community. Don Hall, alongside his wife Adele, whose dedication to Ability KC—particularly the Mary Shaw Branton Therapeutic Preschool—enriched countless lives, championed organizations like ours with unwavering support. SuEllen Fried’s lifelong advocacy for kindness and change, reminds us that each of us has the power to make a difference. This November, we give thanks for the paths these leaders paved and the legacies they left. May we all carry their spirit forward through acts of gratitude, kindness, and a shared commitment to community. #AbilityKC #CelebratingLegacy #GratitudeMonth

What an incredible evening we had last Friday! A huge thank you to the Beier family and Strange Days Brewing Company for hosting such a wonderful event in support of the 2025 Groundhog Run. Your generosity and hospitality made this night unforgettable. We’re also deeply grateful to the amazing vendors who helped make the night extra special, and, of course, to the incredible community of supporters who joined us. Your enthusiasm and support mean the world to us as we gear up for the 2025 Groundhog Run! From the fun run to the delicious food and drinks, every moment was filled with joy and purpose. Let’s keep the momentum going! Thank you again to everyone who helped make this event a success. #GroundhogRun2025 #CommunitySupport #AbilityKC #StrangeDaysBrewing

As we continue celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to highlight our Return-to-Work Navigator Program—a service breaking down barriers on the path to employment for individuals with disabilities. In its first full year, the program supported 152 individuals, providing comprehensive resources that empower people to reach their personal and professional goals more efficiently. Part of Brandi’s recovery included working toward re-entering the workforce after her spinal cord injury. Watch her inspiring story on our YouTube page (https://lnkd.in/gAtZSUCc) to see how Ability KC’s personalized approach helped her regain the confidence to return to work. You can also learn more about the impact of this life-changing program in our 2023 Annual Report, now available on our website. #AbilityKC?#NDEAM2024?#AccessToGoodJobsForAll

Join Ability KC and the 2025 Groundhog Run Chairs, Chris and Sara Beier, for an exciting evening at Strange Days Brewing Company on Friday, November 8th! This family-friendly event has something for everyone—delicious food and drinks, a mini fun run, vendors from the running community, and plenty of opportunities to connect. Let’s keep the momentum going for the 2025 Groundhog Run! Bring your friends and family, share with your networks, and celebrate with us. We can’t wait to see you there! #AbilityKC?#groundhogrun2025

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM), a time to recognize the vital contributions of workers with disabilities, past and present. This year’s theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” highlights the transformative power of employment. Good jobs change lives, and every worker—including those with disabilities—deserves the opportunity to prepare for, secure, and thrive in them. At Ability KC, we are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access to meaningful work for all. Join us in celebrating the resilience and achievements of individuals with disabilities as we build a more inclusive workforce. #AbilityKC #NDEAM2024?#AccessToGoodJobsforAll

Recently, Ability KC was thrilled to partner with the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) to host an engaging Happy Hour Networking and CEU Event! Local case managers had the opportunity to hear from Ability KC’s expert speakers on enriched task-specific training, self-management techniques, and strategies for overcoming barriers in the chronic phase of stroke recovery. It was a wonderful evening of collaboration, learning about outpatient rehab and stroke recovery, and earning valuable CEUs. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it such a success! #AbilityKC