Letter from Keith Jones
AbleLight: A game-changer for people with disabilities
Friends,
Earlier this year, I had the distinct privilege of joining AbleLight as President and CEO. Since then, it has been a very busy time as I have been traveling around the organization and learning about our important mission—a mission we could not accomplish without your generous support.
Did you know in the US there are nearly 600,000 people on lengthy waitlists for home- and community-based services? The estimated lifetime care costs for an individual with a developmental disability is $2.3 million. And approximately 70% of adults with developmental disabilities who live with a parent or other caregiver are not connected to publicly available services. These statistics are staggering. Rising costs, decreased funding, and years-long waiting lists have left families underserved. This is why your contribution to AbleLight’s mission is so very critical and worthwhile.
This issue of Messenger focuses on one of our key areas of impact: providing safe and loving homes. Read more about how your generous efforts and gifts allow AbleLight to address housing insecurity through a variety of options that help people live as independently as possible while maintaining a meaningful connection to their community. After all, a great life starts with a great home.
Looking ahead, I can promise you these next few years are going to be exciting. With your ongoing support, we will light the way toward a bright future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.
As we take this journey together, I will do my best to keep you informed. I want to hear from you, and as I continue to visit around our organization, I hope we can meet. Please feel free to drop me a note at CEO.Feedback@AbleLight.org if you would like to share a comment or question. I would appreciate hearing from you. You are an important part of the structure that makes AbleLight the leading organization it is. With your help, the sky is the limit!
Keith Jones
President & CEO AbleLight