Reflecting on 2025 and what happens when a community shows up for people with disabilities
I saw Wicked recently, and in the very emotional final duet “For Good,” Elphaba and Glinda reflect on how profoundly they’ve changed each other’s lives. That song stayed with me and inspired this reflection as I look back at ABLE2’s journey from 2024 to 2025. This will sound cliché, but the line “…changed for good” captures exactly what happened when our community showed up in our moment of greatest need.
In 2024, ABLE2 faced a financial challenge that put 50 years of community impact at risk. Like many small charities, we were stretched between rising demand and shrinking resources. For the first time in my tenure, I wasn’t sure if we would survive.
To protect our most essential programs, we made difficult decisions like closing some programs and laying off staff. These were among the hardest conversations I’ve had as Executive Director, and the impact on those affected weighed heavily on me. But with limited resources and growing need, these steps were necessary to continue supporting the most vulnerable people in our community.
At year-end of 2024, we launched a digital-only fundraising appeal. No direct mail, minimal marketing budget, just honesty. We told the truth about our financial situation, and our message of hope that those who believed in our mission would step up. Based on previous years, we knew to expect modest results from this campaign.
Instead, something remarkable happened. Our supporters didn’t just respond to the call. They exceeded it. Donations came from longtime partners, first-time donors, former volunteers, families we supported years ago, and advocates in the community. They showed up for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Their generosity allowed ABLE2 to stabilize, rebuild and enter 2025 on stronger ground.
Our champions changed us— for good.
With this renewed stability, we knew we had to be more strategic with our resources. Midway through 2025, we made a decision that felt both risky and necessary: ABLE2 transitioned to fully remote operations and closed its physical office space.
Some worried this would reduce our impact or visibility, or compromise productivity. But we moved forward with confidence because we have always known our strength lies not within the four walls of an office—it’s our connection to the community.
Freed from the limitations of a physical location, our team met program users, volunteers, and supporters where they were. We eliminated barriers like travel, rigid schedules, and the pressures of a traditional office environment. Our staff gained the flexibility to deliver programs in ways that reflect people’s needs and preferences, while also maintaining a healthier work–life balance for themselves.
This wasn’t new to us. We had already been operating this way since the pandemic, and our results consistently showed that our effectiveness depended on relationships, not real estate.
Since going fully remote, we have reached and supported more people and have moved families off waitlists. We have onboarded more volunteers, welcomed new donors, and strengthened partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our vision.
Every FASD training session, every match, every navigation support, and every advocacy effort has been possible because of this shift and because of the champions who continue to stand with us.
2025 has shown us what happens when a community steps up for inclusion. It has shown us that small organizations can have outsized impact when surrounded by champions. It has shown us that the work of centering disability voices, building inclusive communities, and breaking down barriers, requires all of us, working together.
To everyone who donated, volunteered, partnered, advocated, and believed in ABLE2 this year: thank you. You didn’t just lift us out of crisis—you affirmed that people with disabilities matter.
You became their Everyday Champions.
As 2025 draws to a close, I’m deeply grateful for everything this community has made possible. And while we have made real progress, the need has not slowed.
People with disabilities are still fighting for basic inclusion. Families are still navigating fragmented systems alone. Young adults are still aging out of supports without a clear path forward. The gap between awareness and action remains wide.
ABLE2 exists to bridge that gap—to be the champion in someone’s corner, to build the inclusive community we all deserve. But we cannot do this work alone.
This holiday season, I’m asking you to be an Everyday Champion for people with disabilities.
Your gift ensures we begin 2026 strong—just as your generosity at the end of 2024 transformed our trajectory this year.
Your gift today means:
- Someone like Chris finds genuine friendship instead of isolation;
- Individuals like Elijah increase their financial literacy and build skills toward independence,
- Families like the Desormeauxes receive the tools, resources and education to support their loved ones;
- And individuals like Olga access legal support to assert their rights.
Your support champions lives of meaning and joy. Read their stories here or listen to their voices on our podcast.
We are close to our year-end goal. A gift today will help ensure ABLE2 can carry this momentum forward and continue creating connection, belonging, and opportunity in the year ahead.
Will you be an Everyday Champion for people with disabilities before the year ends?
Make a gift here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/ABLE2DonateSM
Thank you for standing with us, now and into the future.
Happy Holidays!
Published by
Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director