We are thrilled to spotlight our community partnership with Casa di Amici, a remarkable organization dedicated to enabling, empowering, and enlightening individuals with intellectual disabilities. "Casa di Amici," meaning "House of Friends" in Portuguese and Italian, is more than just a name—it embodies the nurturing and inclusive environment that the organization provides. Casa di Amici serves adults with developmental disabilities in San Diego, focusing on those participating in the Self-Determination Program through the San Diego Regional Center.
Holistic Support for Independent Living
Casa di Amici's mission revolves around teaching clients the functional life skills necessary to lead independent and successful lives. They take a comprehensive approach, emphasizing the development of independent living skills, socialization, community resource access, and vocational training, with a particular focus on arts and sports. The program leaders are enthusiastic about integrating clients into the community through volunteerism and neighborhood involvement, helping them build meaningful connections and thrive in various aspects of life.
A Partnership That Makes a Difference
In our ongoing commitment to foster inclusive and supportive communities, the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities (FDD) is proud to support Casa di Amici's efforts. We have allocated program grant funding to enhance Casa di Amici's work with teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). This grant will fund supplies, snacks, and drinks for their monthly events and cover the venue, DJ, decorations, raffle prizes, and food for their highly anticipated annual dance. This partnership allows Casa di Amici to continue creating spaces where social, problem-solving, and independent living skills can be nurtured in a fun, engaging environment.
The Impact of Social Events
Social events play a crucial role in everyone's life, and they are essential for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Casa di Amici Day Program President Karen Ellison shares her excitement: "Receiving the FDD grant to fund our monthly meetups/dance was a dream come true. I look forward to seeing how much happiness we can bring our attendees." Karen's words highlight these events' joy and positive impact on participants, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Building a Brighter Future Together
The partnership between the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities and Casa di Amici exemplifies our shared commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. We are excited to see the continued growth and success of Casa di Amici’s programs, which empower their clients to build confidence, develop life skills, and make meaningful connections within the community.
Visit Casa di Amici's website to learn more about its mission and how you can support it. Together, we can make a difference and help create a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
Are you a nonprofit organization based in San Diego and Imperial County and seeking funding for a program? Visit www.foundationfordd.org/program-grants to learn more about our program grant opportunities.
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