Community Partners

The solid reputation and capabilities established during AbilityFirst’s 82-year history leads many organizations – community-based and public agencies, alike – to turn to us for help implementing their initiatives for people with disabilities. Here are several examples of these types of collaborations:

City of Anaheim – AbilityFirst and the City of Anaheim collaborate to deliver extended disabilities services to Anaheim and surrounding cities through the AbilityFirst-Anaheim Program at Maxwell Park.

City of Pasadena Adaptive Recreation – The City of Pasadena Adaptive Recreation Program offers activities to serve the recreational needs of individuals with disabilities. In partnership with the City, AbilityFirst provides a series of Friday Night Socials.These once a month themed events are for adults age 17 years and older, and feature a variety of activities designed to improve communication, peer interaction and socialization skills.

Long Beach Workforce Development Board – Appreciating the diversity of its community, this agency partners with AbilityFirst on strategies to ensure access and participation in the local job market for Long Beach residents who have disabilities.

Los Angeles Marathon - As an Official Charity of the Los Angeles Marathon, AbilityFirst is proud to be an original charitable partner of the event, marking 26 consecutive years of participation. The Los Angeles Marathon is part of AbilityFirst’s Marathon Campaign, the organization’s largest fund raising activity. Every year, runners demonstrate their support of AbilityFirst by securing donations of support for AbilityFirst.

Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5) – Through its Community Service Committee, the Rotary Club of Los Angeles offers its members the opportunity to volunteer at specific annual events organized by LA5 including Camp Paivika Carnival and a bowling event attended by AbilityFirst program participants.

Santa Anita Derby Day 5K- The Santa Anita Derby Day 5K Run/Walk is part of AbilityFirst’s Marathon Campaign, the organization’s largest fund raising activity. More than 1,000 AbilityFirst program participants, families, friends, and employees demonstrate their support of AbilityFirst by securing sponsor donations as they walk, run or roll through the event.

Special Needs Network – AbilityFirst and Special Needs Network, a non-profit, community-based organization responding to the needs of low-income families, particularly in South and South Central Los Angeles, work together on special events that educate and inform, as well as raise awareness of children with special needs including autism and other developmental disabilities.

United Way – AbilityFirst continues its long partnership with the United Way, including its “Pathways Out of Poverty” initiative that focuses on education, reducing poverty and helping families with the opportunities and skills needed to become financially stable. United Way funding moves AbilityFirst toward its goal of increasing the number of people served by its supported employment program.

Organizations and agencies interested in collaborating with AbilityFirst should email Pauline Avendano or phone at (626) 243-4844.