By Jenna Lebovits
The need to belong is one of the most fundamental, universally human instincts. Belonging is essential for our overall well-being, and deeply connected to our physical, mental and emotional health. Yet for so many individuals living with disabilities, access to this sense of community has been limited, and it’s something that organizations like Adapt Community Network have spent decades working to change.
Founded in the 1940s as United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, Adapt Community Network began with a mission to support disabled relatives. “At the time the organization was founded, care for the developmentally disabled was nonexistent,” says James Hausman, Adapt’s vice president and secretary. “The call to action for the founders rested in their shared personal experience of wanting a better life for their loved ones who had disabilities.” For the thousands of team members and leadership, a steadfast belief in an individual’s right to belong is at the heart of their work. “Those in the ID/DD [intellectual and developmental disabilities] space have challenges which shouldn’t limit their ability to be a part of any community,” says Hausman. “Inclusivity, to us, is about leveling the playing field.”
Now 80 years later, Adapt has grown into the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of programs and services for people with disabilities. Today, Adapt serves more than 20,000 individuals and families across 100 programs in and around New York City. And while the organization provides educational programs, employment training, medical services, residential support and much more, what it offers its community members isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The mission: individualized, person-centered care. “Best-in-class service means ensuring access to the programs that enable our population and their families to thrive,” shares Hausman. “For one person, that might mean getting fitted to adaptive equipment that makes it easier for them to live independently. For another, it might mean fulfilling a lifelong dream of employment.”
Each year, this ethos is reflected in Adapt’s Leadership Awards Gala, a gathering that celebrates influential people whose own work embodies similar values of service and inclusion. Past honorees include the likes of President John F. Kennedy, Muhammad Ali and Princess Diana. This year’s gala, which takes place on April 20 at Cipriani 42nd Street, will recognize Liev Schreiber, whose nonprofit BlueCheck Ukraine helps identify, vet and direct funding toward more than 28 frontline organizations providing emergency services to Ukrainians. “Adapt’s leadership awards recognize good people doing amazing things,” says Hausman. “Liev is a man of action with great compassion, and the embodiment of a humanitarian.”
As the demand for Adapt’s services continues to rise, so does the need for outside support. Private philanthropy is key in sustaining the nonprofit’s work in the long term, as most of its funding comes from federal sources. “Our most urgent need is sustainable, differentiated funding,” says Hausman. “With more resources comes expanded programs, greater access to health care and education, and the ability to reach more families in need.”
At its core, Adapt’s mission lies in the belief that belonging should be a basic human right. “All people have dreams, ambitions and unique struggles,” says Hausman. “Including all voices in conversations about health, housing, employment and promoting respect and empathy benefits all of society.” adaptcommunitynetwork.org