Ability Building Community - ABC

01/29/2026

Every day, our community reminds us of the importance of dignity, respect, and equal rights for people of all abilities. At Ability Building Community we stand by our belief that all people deserve to live, work, recreate, and participate fully in community life in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and just.

Change begins with each of us, in big actions and small, and we are committed to being part of the work that supports fairness, understanding, and respect for every person.

We reaffirm that all are welcome here, and we extend our thoughts to all those who are grieving, struggling, or seeking peace in the midst of these difficult times.

01/28/2026

Congratulations to Michelle Gillespie for winning the High Five Award!

Michelle earned the High Five for her exceptional work ethic, reliability, and the genuine care she brings to every part of her role at ABC.

Michelle begins her day earlier than most DSPs due to the early cleaning sites in Caledonia and is always early and prepared. Upon arrival, Michelle takes initiative by organizing individual timesheets and sorting them into the appropriate groups, helping the day run smoothly. She has built excellent rapport with the Caledonia Golf Course and the Legion, where she supervises cleaning. These sites are consistently completed to employee standards, and she ensures employer expectations are met before leaving.

Michelle stays busy throughout her shift, initiating tasks when work is available and incorporating recreational activities to keep individuals active and engaged. She is always willing to assist coworkers with any task needed and is a dependable team player. Her charting and daily narratives are completed thoroughly and accurately, making her a strong role model for her peers and reflecting her commitment to ABC policy. Michelle also demonstrates great flexibility by covering where needed without complaint.

Michelle’s professionalism, positive attitude, and commitment to quality make her a valued member of the ABC team.

01/23/2026

Looking for a job that truly matters?

Ability Building Community is hiring Direct Support Professionals who want meaningful work, a supportive environment, and the chance to make an impact every single day.

Daytime hours, great benefits, paid training, and a mission that matters.

Apply today and join Team ABC! https://www.abcinc.org/careers-at-abc

01/23/2026

Our Houston County locations are also closed on Friday, January 23rd due to the weather. We will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, January 26th.

Stay warm!

01/22/2026

Direct support professionals make independence possible every day.

This story highlights the real impact of staffing shortages on people with disabilities, families, and providers like us. It is time to invest in the people who make this work possible.

A national survey of disability services providers found that many of those providers are experiencing a shortage of direct support professionals, which can hamper what services they can offer.

01/22/2026

ABC Rochester is closed on Friday, January 23rd due to the weather. We will reopen for regular business hours on Monday, January 26th.

01/21/2026

A Direct Support Professional organized this candle-making activity for her work area, creating a fun, hands-on opportunity for the people she supports! Experiences like this help individuals build skills, explore creativity, and gain confidence in a relaxed, supportive environment. Creative outlets matter and moments like this show how meaningful hands-on experiences can be. 🕯

01/20/2026

Fifty years after the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), stories like Sawyer Hanson’s show us what inclusion truly looks like. Students with disabilities are learning, building friendships, and fully participating in school life alongside their peers. This progress is the result of families, educators, and advocates who believed every child deserves opportunity.

One step at a time, inclusion changes lives.

President Gerald Ford signed the “Education for All Handicapped Children Act” in November 1975, which later became the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

01/19/2026

Congratulations to Lindsey Sietmann for winning the Lowry Award!

Lindsey earned this award because of her impressive growth in independence and confidence since joining ABC in June 2024. She takes initiative by double-checking her work, asking clarifying questions, and supporting her peers when needed. Lindsey adapts well to new responsibilities and shows resilience by handling challenges responsibly and staying focused. Her positive attitude, reliability, and increasing confidence have made her a valued and treasured member of every crew she works with.

Congratulations, Lindsey, on a fantastic year of progress!

01/15/2026

Throwback Thursday to 2006, when vision boarding meant scissors, glue sticks, and a stack of magazines ✂

01/14/2026

Today we celebrate Lisa and an amazing milestone. 🎉

Lisa has been a valued part of the Subway team for 5 years. Through her dedication and hard work, she keeps everything running smoothly by washing dishes, cleaning restrooms, wiping tables, taking out garbage, and keeping the front area clean.

Lisa has built strong relationships with her coworkers and follows a routine she knows well. She takes pride in doing her job thoroughly and shows how much consistency and commitment matter.

Congratulations, Lisa, on 5 years of great work. We are so proud of you!