Disabled charity seeks expansion funding

DEPTFORD TWP. -- The Abilities Center here has provided disabled and disadvantaged people with work force development for 43 years, and now it seeks the public's assistance in funding an expansion project to better accommodate it's growing population of consumers and students.

While adding approximately 20,000 square feet will cost $1.5 million, the center also plans to fully utilize the existing space to expand the center-based program and increase its capabilities for community-based services.

"We're a bona fide business, employer and social service provider," said Susan Perron, president and CEO of the Abilities Center.

A decade ago, the Abilities Center was serving 100 people, according to Perron. It currently serves 800 people throughout South Jersey. People ages 14 and up are provided with such services as a school-to-work program and vocational evaluations.

Warehouse space, production space -- where most of the consumers work and learn -- and a provision for additional office space are all incorporated in the upcoming expansion. A driveway connecting Deptford Avenue to the center will also be added.

Construction and fund-raising, for the most part, will occur simultaneously. A contract was recently awarded. Perron hopes to have the project completed by the fall of 2008.

The Danellie Foundation and South Jersey Industries have led the donations toward the building project.

"We've really just outgrown where we are," Perron said.

Saturday, during the last weekend of National Employment Disability Employment Awareness Month, the center will host its first annual spaghetti dinner from 2 to 7 p.m. at 1208 Delsea Drive.

Tickets are $7 per person. Door prizes, raffle tickets and a 42-inch Sanyo high definition plasma television will be raffled. Proceeds benefit the Abilities Center building expansion fund. Dinner will be held in the cafeteria, or people are welcome to take dinner out.

Several consumers work in the cafeteria preparing food or cleaning, while most of the students and consumers work in the production facility, possibly sorting or packaging for one of the more than 40 jobs.

"Everything we do is in partnership with someone (or something) else," said Perron.

With the expansion, the center could accept more work for its consumers, who are paid based on their performance and productivity levels.

The center serves bigger corporations throughout South Jersey for production use and for their catering needs, according to Perron.

About 350 consumers work in other locations, while the Abilities Center provides coaching and support to help them hold their jobs.

"The work itself allows our consumers to strengthen their skills and abilities," said Amy Soulliard, vocational rehabilitation counselor. "(The consumers) need that extra assistance in order to be successful in their vocational goals."