OUR MISSION

We lend families the equipment requested by their child's therapist to nurture a thriving special needs child from birth through age five which contributes to empowering an "able child". We strive to make a difference in the lives of special children living in very difficult circumstances.

ABOUT ABLE CHILDREN

ABLE Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, sponsored as an outreach mission of St. Andrew's Church, Walden, New York. We lend therapy equipment and provide other requested resources, if obtainable by us, to children living in Orange & Ulster Counties of New York with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) that meet our eligibility requirements (see eligibility section).
(note that our age and income limitations may be waived by majority board approval for applicants that submit a Waiver Request Form informing us as to why their circumstances warrant a waiver of our eligibility policies)

We understand that families with special needs children struggle daily emotionally and often are financially challenged to provide the best care for their special child. We want to help them obtain therapy equipment that is deemed beneficial but not covered by their health insurance plan. Equipment can be used as long as the child's therapist deems it beneficial in the child's treatment. When the child outgrows it, or overcomes the developmental obstacle therefore no longer needing the equipment, it is returned to us to lend to another child who will benefit from it.

Respectively understand we do not work directly with the child's family or guardian but instead coordinate equipment by request of the child's therapist or child's ongoing service coordinator (OSC).

OUR VISION

We envision the special needs children in our community having the tools they need to overcome their developmental obstacles and the essentials they need for every day living. We also envision future territory and age expansion and to add paid employees who are dedicated full time to nurturing "able children." Our achieving this vision depends on the energy and dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our financial supporters.

OUR LOGO

The butterfly was chosen to be our logo because it's normal life cycle is one of marvelous transformation, strength and endurance. From egg, to caterpillar, to pupate and emerging from the cocoon transformed, beautiful and strong.

The ABLE Butterfly
	Emerged from the cocoon with a special need Unfolding my wings is troublesome for me Transformation a challenge as developmental delays impede Assisted by action, kindness and caring I can succeed With strength like the migrating monarch I will endure my plight
	Each hurdle I will successfully overcome with extreme delight Obstacles surmounted with nurtured strength will excite as able children, empowered, take flight . . . - Anonymous Author

Our mission is to nurture special needs children by giving them the equipment they need for their transformation empowering them to overcome their developmental obstacles so they emerge like the Monarch "ABLE".

	Able to acheive
	Able to overcome
	Able to succeed
	Able to be whatever they dream to be...

Did You Know?

In some countries the butterfly equals a totally interconnected world where even small actions can have a big effect. (This is what ABLE Children is about, a small action having a big effect empowering a child to overcome an obstacle)

Migration of the monarch butterfly is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world. Due to its uncanny endurance it completes an amazing feat of endurance each year migrating thousands of miles to spend the winter in California and Mexico.

The longest recorded flight of a monarch is over 3,000 miles. When migrating, it can cover over 80 miles a day traveling up to 11 miles per hour while 16 or 17 feet above the ground.