Wilton is getting an Abilis Life Skills Center for young adults with special needs. Abilis, the non-profit organization that provides services and supports for individuals with special needs and their families, is opening a new Life Skills program at Trackside Teen Center. Designed to help high school graduates with special needs transition into adulthood, the Wilton program is the fourth Abilis Life Skills program in Fairfield County, allowing Wilton students to transition within their home communities.
There will be a Wilton Life Skills grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. at Trackside, (15 Station Rd.) and local residents are invited to join in the celebration and learn more about how the program addresses the educational, developmental and vocational needs of high school transition-aged young adults. First selectman Lynne Vanderslice will help with a ribbon cutting at noon.
Abilis launched its successful Life Skills Program in Greenwich in 2007. The program was created because high school graduates often came to Abilis unprepared to participate in employment programs. The Life Skills program helps these young adults develop the skills they need to be competitively employed and live more independent and socially connected lives. In order to enable students to stay in the communities in which they live, Abilis opened satellite Life Skills programs in Westport in 2016 and in Stamford in September 2017.
“The Wilton program expansion is in response to requests from parents and school district personnel for community-based options to support students graduating from local high schools,” notes Dennis Perry, CEO and president of Abilis. “Transitions are hard for individuals with special needs, but they can be made easier by keeping individuals in the communities in which they are most familiar.”
“We are very excited to be partnering with Abilis and their incredible program. This is such a wonderful addition to our community and we are proud to be a part of it,” says Mark Ketley, Trackside’s executive director.
To learn more, visit the Abilis Wilton Life Skills program website or call 203.561.3262.