Programs and results
What we aim to solve
More than 20 million families in the United States have members with a disability. The large majority of them say they’re very concerned about providing a lifetime of care for their dependents with special needs. At AbleLight, we are transforming the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities every day. By providing safe and loving homes, job training and educational opportunities, financial security and more, we help people achieve their full potential and enjoy full and meaningful lives.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Group Homes
We’ve been providing safe and loving homes for people with disabilities since the day we first opened our doors in 1904. That’s because having a home—a place where you truly belong and are loved, supported, and cherished—is a necessary foundation in order to thrive.
Group homes have long been part of AbleLight’s service offering and will continue to be, as they provide people with disabilities with support, independence, and a built-in community, all at the same time.
Behavior Supports
When your child or loved one is struggling or acting out, it can be frustrating, scary, and leave you feeling lost. But at AbleLight, we’ve got you. From the initial assessment through developing the care plan and putting it into action, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Because our biggest goal is to help you and your family achieve yours.
We work hand-in-hand with you and your family to understand the root of the issue, outline specific goals, and develop treatment plans tailored just for your loved one.
Each of our ABA therapists has been carefully handpicked for their breadth of experience and expertise, so you can rest assured that no matter the age, disability, or complexity, we have the skills to help you and your loved one achieve your goals.
Supported Living Services
Supported Living Services (SLS) provides people with developmental disabilities with support where they need it—at home and in the communities where they live. With this service, people live in their own home or apartment and AbleLight provides the customized support each individual needs to achieve their unique goals.
AbleLight College
AbleLight College is a unique and exciting two-year postsecondary certificate program designed to meet the higher education goals of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our goal is to prepare students to take their place in the larger community as independent adults living an integrated, purposeful life in their communities.
Career Connections Employment Supports
Having a job you love can be an important part of living a full, happy life. It fosters independence. It promotes personal growth. And the sense of satisfaction from a job well done is good for the mind, body and spirit.
At AbleLight, we believe everyone who is able and wants to work should be offered the support to achieve that goal. And we know some people just need a little extra support. That’s where we come in. We do more than just place people in jobs. We work with each individual to discover their interests, passions, and the work environment best suited for them. Because loving what you do is the first step to success. From support with job-searching, applications, and interviewing skills to what to wear and how to get there, we support all aspects of the job search and interview process. Once they’ve landed their job, we help the people we serve by providing customized supports based on how they learn best, with the ultimate goal of helping them be self-sufficient.
Day Programs
Our day programs serve as a bridge to the community and provide people with disabilities a chance to learn new skills and form meaningful connections with others in a fun, joyful atmosphere.
Day program activities can include:
-Skill development, including daily living and vocational skills
-Cultural and educational programming
-Exercise and recreation
-Volunteering
-Empowering and supporting self-advocacy
-Practicing and gaining fluency with technology
Cornerstone
Cornerstone Village is a residential community designed to unite people with developmental disabilities with other members of the community in a loving, Christian environment.
Each Cornerstone Village will be developed to maximize accessibility, and a specific percentage of the units will be reserved for independent adults with developmental disabilities.
Here’s why:
It furthers the cause of inclusion by creating an opportunity for people with IDD to live in an integrated community.
Providing a safe home for people with IDD gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is safe.
Intermingling people with developmental disabilities and people without disabilities results in a more meaningful and rewarding life for all.
Living in a Christian environment will strengthen the spiritual lives of all residents.
Community programming and activities will bring people together, fostering deep friendships and lifelong learning.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Council on Quality and Leadership 2009
Lutheran Services in America 2009
External reviews

Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of overall donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities, Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Generous giving makes a difference in the lives of the people supported by AbleLight and enables them to make their own choices and live the lives they want!
Number of first-time donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
People with disabilities, Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Number of older adults being supported to live at home through home care, assistive technology, and/or personal support plans
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
AbleLight believes the world shines brighter when people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential. To accomplish this, AbleLight pioneers life-changing services that empower the people we serve to thrive.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We empower people we serve to thrive by providing services that impact lives in five ways:
1) Providing safe and loving homes
2) Increasing independence and improving wellbeing
3) Creating community and faith connections
4) Improving financial security
5) Sharing innovative way to use technology to improve lives
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
AbleLight provides housing and independence-building programs: group homes, host homes, AbleLight Village, supported living services, job development/coaching, behavior supports, AbleLight College, day programs and more. All are provided by our dedicated staff who work with individuals to set and achieve their personal goals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
For 100+ years, AbleLight has led innovation in disability support from institutional to community-based programs. We provide comprehensive support focused on the whole person, throughout their lives. We continue to innovate through independence-building technology, new housing models, and life skills training/education programs.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
AbleLight Inc.
Board of directorsas of 02/07/2023
Cesar Villalpando
Catherine Brondos
Karen Carter
Ellen Trytek
Malcom Conner
Christine Tricoli
Randall Odzer
Jim Rymarcsuk
J Larry Tyler
John Wiktor
Thor Misko
Michael Toedt
Mindy Perry
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data