Abilities First has officially commemorated the acquisition of educational programs in Middletown and New Windsor, New York, serving approximately 200 preschool and school-age students who have developmental delays or disabilities.
An outdoor ribbon cutting on Oct. 23 showcased one of the two new Abilities First locations, the Middletown Education Center, which serves students ages 3-8 at 379 Mount Hope Road in the town of Wallkill.
About 50 dignitaries and supporters, as well as Abilities First students, families and staff, heard speakers discuss the individualized and caring education provided to students. Abilities First, a nonprofit organization, supported by the Foundation for Abilities First NY. provides people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience.
During his remarks, Abilities First CEO Dr. Jeffery Fox thanked The ARC Greater Hudson Valley and the New York State Education Department, as well as numerous collaborators and supporters, for a seamless transition. Abilities First is continuing to hire staff, he said, and has slots available to serve additional children amid a strong demand for such individualized educational services.
“Last spring, we were approached by The ARC Greater Hudson Valley, which needed a trusted partner to hand off these programs as they focused on their adult programs,” Fox said, noting that the pre-school and school-age programs were slated for closure without Abilities First’s assumption of operations. “Our job now is to prepare these students, through specialized academic instruction, for what comes next in life and to do so with success, pride and achievement.”
In 2023, Abilities First served 359 students from 29 Hudson Valley school districts. There were 142 graduates of its preschool program and five graduates from its high school. In 2024, not including the acquired programs, Abilities First served 368 students, had 82 preschool graduates and four high school graduates. Overall, it served 29 school districts. In the 2023-2024 school year, the former ARC programs served 184 students and graduated 48 preschool students.
Founded in 1962, Abilities First is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving the needs of over 1,100 children and adults with developmental disabilities from birth through adulthood throughout the Hudson Valley. More than 600 dedicated employees are committed to providing a culture of compassion, empowerment and respect through educational, vocational, residential, habilitation and family support programs and services. Founded in 2018, the Foundation for Abilities First NY is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to garner the financial resources necessary to meet the programmatic interests and to assure the sustainability of the mission of Abilities First Inc.
