ARI of Connecticut, Inc. a Stamford based organization that provides jobs, homes and support services to people with disabilities, is the proud recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s (FCCF) Sternbach Fund. Grants from the Sternbach Fund support respite care programs serving caregivers of adults with disabilities. The grant will support ARI’s respite program for up to 15 families in need.
Grant dollars enable ARI to provide respite services for people with disabilities and their families that are not funded by the State of Connecticut Department of Developmental Services. Respite serves dual purposes. It provides an opportunity for socialization with members of their community for the person with a disability. It also allows family members time to accomplish tasks and have relief from the 24 hour responsibility of supporting a loved one. “With the needs of our daughter becoming more complex, we find that the majority of our time is dedicated to her needs. This grant will allow my husband and I to hire a qualified caregiver so that we can enjoy a quiet night out,” says a family member receiving funds for respite services.
“Support from the FCCF allows families the opportunity to take a break from caring for their family member with a disability. This grant gives families the resources to hire staff to work with their loved one,” says Matthew Reyher, president and CEO of ARI of Connecticut. “It is important that each individual is afforded the opportunity to get out and live an independent life from their family. Each grant allows this to happen. Families receive a break from care taking and their loved one is afforded the opportunity to socialize outside the family.”
Each award is $600 and can be used in a number of ways. For some families the money is used to hire staff to take loved ones to social outings that would normally take up a large portion of time. Others utilize the money to hire a staff that will stay with the family member over night so that parents can take a small vacation. In any case, both family members and their loved one benefit from this grant.
About the Fairfield County Community Foundation:
The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $120 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
About ARI of Connecticut, Inc:
ARI of Connecticut is a community service organization founded fifty nine years ago by a group of parents and friends of people with developmental disabilities. Since 1952, ARI has evolved into a leading agency that provides high quality residential, respite, recreation, vocational and day services in Stamford and surrounding towns. For more information contact Gerard J. Gasparino @ 203-324-9258, x3023 or visit www.arict.org.
ARI Mission: Enriching the lives of people with disabilities and their families by enabling them to achieve their fullest potential at home, at work, and in the community.
