Local Resident Chosen As Ambassador For Abilis' 17th Annual Walk/Run

GREENWICH, CT — At the beginning of 2021, now-24-year-old Sophia Moubayed started getting involved with Abilis, a Greenwich-based non-profit organization that supports more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families from birth throughout adulthood in Fairfield County.

Moubayed participated in Project SEARCH, a nine-month internship program for young adults with developmental disabilities that can lead to employment. She served as an intern at Greenwich Hospital.

Moubayed then moved from Weston to Darien in December 2021 and participated in more Abilis programming.

After receiving job skills training and the skills necessary to navigate everyday life on her own, Moubayed now works at Clean Juice in Goodwives Shopping Center and The Cafe in Darien Library. She has also at the Island Beach concession in Greenwich.

Moubayed also lives independently on her own in an apartment on East Lane in Darien.

Now on Oct. 16, she will be the ambassador for Abilis' 17th annual walk/run event, which serves as the organization's biggest fundraiser and "friend-raiser" of the year, as it provides the community a chance to come together for a fun morning of physical fitness and enjoy the beauty of Greenwich Point Park in Old Greenwich.

Participants can walk one mile or run a 5k in-person or participate virtually from anywhere in the world.

"I was pretty excited. I obviously wasn't expecting it. It was a privilege," Moubayed told Patch about the honor of being named the fundraiser's ambassador.

Abilis CEO and President Amy Montimurro praised Moubayed for her hard work, and said she's a great candidate for ambassadorship.

"She's a friend to anybody that she meets," Montimurro said. "It's been just a pleasure to see her grow and develop into this amazing skilled young woman."

Moubayed said Abilis has served as her second family now that she lives on her own in an apartment building with other Abilis clients. She noted that she enjoys living in Darien and taking advantage of what the town has to offer.

Proceeds from the event will provide critical funds for Abilis programs and services that support those with disabilities.

"Our organization always develops more than what we're provided from the state," Montimurro explained. "All of those programs are not funded. We have to figure out ways to run businesses and we provide more job coaching and job development to help individuals find jobs in the community and cultivate employers. All of those things we do that are successful - we need to raise funds for those."

Funds will be put towards the little things that make a big difference, such as providing training to Abilis clients on how to learn bus routes where they live.

"We need to fundraise for all those different pieces that are so important to have somebody live an independent life," Montimurro said.

Moubayed said she's been the beneficiary of that training. She can now take the bus by herself and find the right route she needs.

Prizes will be awarded for best outfits during the walk/run, and teams are encouraged to create team t-shirts, buttons, hats or create their own banner to increase visibility, show team spirit and potentially win an Abilis creativity award.

Moubayed and her neighbors will be on the same team, and she's in the process of finalizing her outfit for the big day.

Participants are encouraged to register in advance at here. Registration is free for walkers, $40 for 5k runners 18-plus, and $20 for runners ages 11-17.