Lifestyles for the Disabled: Celebrating 25 Years if Membership
By Leslie Rivera, Staten Island Chamber
Since 1994, Lifestyles for the Disabled has been a cornerstone of Staten Island’s disability community, creating opportunities that empower adults with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and thrive.
In more than decades, the organization has built programs that go beyond care, offering vital skills training and pathways to independence. Today, Lifestyles continues to stand as a model of inclusion and compassion for our borough.
Their extensive network of services aids the Staten Island community by providing key access to resources for adults with developmental disabilities. Amongst the available programming, adults have access to a variety of leisurely, athletic, and social activities to foster partnership within participants and encourage social independence.
Additionally, Lifestyles for the Disabled has more targeted services. For example, the organization’s ‘Community Habilitation Program’ encourages participants to pursue a curriculum to improve their chosen skillset, such as purchasing groceries, money management, or a workout plan. Similarly, participants can work with specialists to develop their independence and connect with the community through career and employment services.
In 2024, the office of Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis announced she secured $750,000 in federal funding for Lifestyles of the Disabled, recognizing the organization’s record of service and strong support for Staten Island. The funding would be used to purchase new mobile training sites in the Green Houses Program and make the facilities more ADA-compliant.
This year, we look back on Lifestyle for the Disabled’s proud record of community service, and we congratulate them on their 25 years of chamber membership!
