AbilityFirst is a nonprofit helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal best throughout their lives! We do this with programs and services including after-school enrichment, community based programs, job training and coaching and a fully-accessible camp Camp Paivika, in the San Bernardino forest.
Established in 1926 as the Crippled Children's Society of Southern California, our mission is to look beyond disabilities, focusing on capabilities and expanding possibilities. In 2000, we adopted the name AbilityFirst to better reflect our mission, our vision, and our commitment to celebrating the unique abilities of every individual.
AbilityFirst stands for and alongside people with developmental disabilities and their families. We create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong are are valued!
Our first consideration is always for the well-being of our participants, and - through the mutual trust that we share - each person is supported to achieve his or her personal best.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
3
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: The best part of working here is undoubtedly the mission. You feel like you're genuinely contributing to people's lives. The teams I've worked with are incredibly dedicated and collaborative, always willing to lend a hand. Management is generally approachable and supportive, fostering a positive atmosphere despite the challenges inherent in non-profit work. The flexibility in scheduling has also been a big plus.
Cons: The compensation and benefits package, while adequate, doesn't always feel aligned with the demanding nature of the work or the standards in the broader social services sector. There are opportunities for professional development, but formal career progression paths aren't always clearly defined, which can make advancement feel less structured. Sometimes, administrative processes can be a bit slow.
Advice to Management: Consider benchmarking compensation and benefits more aggressively against similar non-profits to attract and retain talent, especially for roles with significant responsibility. Clearly outlining career paths and professional development opportunities would also be beneficial.
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Pros: The mission-driven culture at AbilityFirst is a huge plus. You really feel like you're making a difference in the disability services field. My colleagues are passionate and supportive, and management generally tries to foster a positive work environment. There's a good amount of autonomy in day-to-day tasks, especially for roles like mine in program coordination.
Cons: While work flexibility is decent, especially for administrative roles, opportunities for advancement can be slow, and salary increases aren't always competitive with larger organizations. Communication from senior leadership about strategic changes sometimes feels a bit top-down, and process improvements could be more consistently implemented across departments. More structured career paths would be beneficial.
Advice to Management: Consider implementing more transparent communication channels regarding organizational strategy and growth opportunities. Investing in clearer career progression frameworks would greatly benefit employee retention and morale in this vital non-profit sector.
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Pros: It's rewarding to work for an organization like AbilityFirst that genuinely supports its clients in the Pasadena area. The team I worked with was fantastic – very collaborative and always willing to help each other out. The work itself, while challenging, felt purposeful. I appreciated the consistent schedule and the sense of community among the direct support staff. It's a solid non-profit environment if you're looking for stability.
Cons: While the day-to-day work with clients is fulfilling, there were often communication breakdowns from higher management. Important updates or policy changes sometimes reached us late, or in a way that caused confusion. This could make implementing new procedures a bit frustrating. More proactive and clear communication channels would be beneficial for everyone on the front lines.
Advice to Management: Focus on creating more consistent and transparent communication channels between leadership and front-line staff. Regular, clear updates on policy changes or organizational goals would greatly improve operational efficiency and staff morale.
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What is the team collaboration like at AbilityFirst for someone in a non-profit role?
In my experience at AbilityFirst, collaboration is strong across different departments, including non-profit program roles. We often partner with the fundraising and administrative teams to ensure our services reach clients effectively within the Southern California region.
Does AbilityFirst offer remote positions for administrative roles in the non-profit sector?
Yes, I've seen AbilityFirst post a few remote administrative openings for their non-profit work. It seems they do offer some work-from-home options, especially for roles supporting their programs.
What is the typical salary range for a Support Coordinator role at AbilityFirst in the disability services sector in California?
Based on my experience and what I've seen, entry-level Support Coordinator salaries at AbilityFirst, a mid-sized non-profit in California, often start around $45,000 to $55,000 annually, with opportunities for growth based on experience and performance.
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