Abilis Expanding In Stamford Due To $3.78M Grant From Cohen Foundation

STAMFORD, CT — Thanks to a generous grant of $3.78 million from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Abilis, the nonprofit organization that provides services and support to more than 800 people with disabilities and their families in Fairfield County, will expand further into Stamford.

The funds will cover the purchase of the 26,000-square-foot building at 78 Harvard Ave., and the renovation of the third floor as part of the first phase of Abilis' expansion.

Abilis President and CEO Amy Montimurro told Patch a fundraising effort of approximately $700,000 to $800,000 will cover the second phase and the second-floor renovation.

Montimurro believes the building, which will be named The Cohen Abilis Advancement Center, will be operational by fall 2024.

The organization has a therapy center located at 1150 Summer St., in Stamford, but the larger expansion will allow Abilis to continue offering quality education, programming and services for those with disabilities of all ages.

Montimurro called the expansion a "game-changer" for Abilis.

"We are beyond ecstatic. We have been struggling with space and the ability to provide all the services we want to provide to be able to help additional families. We haven't been able to [do that] without the space and really the technology and equipment we need," Montimurro said.

The Greenwich location at 50 Glenville St. reached maximum capacity, Montimurro said, and even parking has become a problem.

"We needed a larger location, similar to Greenwich," she added. Abilis' headquarters and services will remain in Greenwich.

Greenwich residents Steven and Alexandra Cohen, and their foundation, have been longtime supporters of Abilis, Montimurro said.

The couple owns the New York Mets, and Steven is the founder of Point72 Asset Management, a hedge fund company headquartered in Stamford.

Abilis presented the foundation with its need to expand, and the Cohens answered the call.

"People of all abilities should have a place where they feel welcomed and encouraged to thrive," said Alex Cohen, president of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, in an announcement on the grant. "We are proud to support Abilis’ efforts to reach even more individuals and families in our community."

The plan is to offer Abilis clients and their families a large space where individuals can learn daily living skills in addition to vocational skills, Montimurro explained.

Services at The Cohen Abilis Advancement Center will include continued education, career counseling, vocational development, and a therapeutic environment to meet individual needs.

There will also be a memory unit for Abilis' aging population, the Supported Typing/STeP program, and areas for music, art, cooking, dance, and fitness programs for all ages, according to Montimurro.

Planning for expansion took place over the course of a year.

"We had found this location that we'd be able to grow into quickly to meet the current and future needs of the organization," Montimurro said. "We're excited to be able to help more families and extremely grateful for the support and generosity of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation."

Founded in 1951, Abilis provides meaningful support to communities such as Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport and Wilton.

For more information or to explore ways to donate to the organization, visit Abilis' website.