FEATURE
Service with a Purpose Gone for Good securely shreds documents while providing meaningful jobs
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BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE You may already be familiar with United Ability, an over-70-year-old nonprofit that provides services to connect people with disabilities with their communities in empowering ways. But if you’re not, a bit of background: Originally founded as Spastic Aid, the organization was established in 1948 by a group of people to provide services to individuals with cerebral palsy. More than two decades later, in 1972, the nonprofit changed its name to United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, incorporating aid to those living with other types of disabilities, as well. The organization wanted to offer more comprehensive services and made that a reality in 2001 with a move to its 20-acre Lakeshore Drive campus. Later renamed United Ability, the new 22 Bham Family January 2022
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF UNITED ABILITY
title reflects the organization’s “service to persons with all types of disability, and United Ability now offers a full spectrum of services not found anywhere else statewide.” United Ability “envisions a world where disability is neither defining nor limiting and also help unite people with unique abilities in achieving a successful future.” A worthy endeavor that includes programs for both children and adults, like Hand in Hand Early Learning, Ability Clinic, LINCPoint Adult Day Program, and Gone for Good. “Gone for Good was established in 2006 to provide meaningful employment to the individuals we serve while also providing additional revenues for the organization,” says Abe Bernstein, Director of Enterprises for CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
