Abilis CEO and President Amy Montimurro has been with the organization for 30 of its 75 years. Soon after becoming CEO in 2018, she met with Gaudio to discuss how they could help how they could partner and help Abilis. The bank puts together a group each year for the organization’s walk/run.
(Ad) Based in Greenwich, CT, Abilis has served lower Fairfield County since 1951, providing lifespan services, supports, and advocacy for more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families, from babies through adulthood. Abilis’ mission is to help people of all abilities build able, meaningful, and independent lives.
The First Bank of Greenwich is known for its strong support of local nonprofits, especially organizations with important missions, such as Abilis. Whether working with organizations to streamline their banking, offering financial backing, or partnering through the Bank’s Charitable Checking program, The First Bank of Greenwich and its President and CEO, Frank Gaudio, put community first.
Abilis CEO and President Amy Montimurro has been with the organization for 30 of its 75 years. Soon after becoming CEO in 2018, she met with Gaudio to discuss how they could help how they could partner and help Abilis.
“An early community project of the bank was to showcase our community members’ art in their branches and hold an art exhibition reception,” noted Montimurro. “This support showed us that not only were they there for banking needs, but that they were also thinking about other ways to enhance the lives of our community members. Since that time, they’ve been a part of all of our expansions throughout the years. We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all that we have without them.”
Abilis Gardens & Gifts
Celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year, Abilis has recently finished renovating Abilis Gardens & Gifts, its retail training site for Abilis’ Employment program. Adults with disabilities receive both vocational and job skills training, empowering them to gain skills, independence and employment.
Previously, the shop and greenhouse were not conducive to providing the proper space we needed for our training services, nor was it properly insulated for year-round use or accessible enough for our community members,” shared Montimurro. “With a capital campaign, we were able to raise funds to rebuild the shop creating a welcoming, accessible and vibrant space.”
The new shop, scheduled to have its grand opening in October, will include a retail training space at the front of the store, a workshop for handcrafted items such as jewelry, soaps, and candles and a floral arranging space.
“A stronger community is one where everyone has the opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive. Abilis makes that possible and we are incredibly proud to stand beside them whenever we get the opportunity,” said Frank Gaudio. “For us, supporting Abilis isn’t just about writing a check – it is about partnering with an organization that creates opportunities to learn, work and grow. That is what being a community bank is supposed to be.”
For Abilis, the new Abilis Gardens & Gifts will not only benefit the community members working there but will also allow the organization to expand its offerings to better serve its customers and supporters.
“We’re a lifespan provider that offers early intervention services and wide range of life services programs supporting families with babies through adulthood. We help families navigate a different journey than they planned for, and they don’t have to do it alone,” said Montimurro.
To learn more about Abilis visit abilis.us.