Gatepath and Abilities United Enter Merger Talks

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Gatepath, headquartered in Redwood City, and Abilities United of Palo Alto, two award-winning nonprofits dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities, have announced they are entering formal merger discussions. 

This decision is designed to address the challenges posed by the increasing costs of doing business in California over the last decade while the funding for California's disabilities system has been reduced by more than $1.1 billion. The resulting economic pressures have created a systemwide crisis seriously impacting some of California's most vulnerable residents. Like other Bay Area nonprofits, Gatepath and Abilities United are addressing the harsh reality of these financial pressures, ensuring continuity and quality of the services they provide.

The leadership teams of both organizations believe that by joining together, Gatepath and Abilities United will provide a unique opportunity to ensure important services continue to thrive and grow for Bay Area children and adults with developmental disabilities.  

Gatepath and Abilities United have been providing a lifespan of support services to thousands of children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities and their families in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties collectively for more than 150 years. Gatepath has 11 program sites that span the Peninsula from Daly City to Sunnyvale, and Abilities United has two locations in Palo Alto.

"Combining our two organizations will be incredibly advantageous to the families we care so much about," said Bryan Neider, Gatepath's Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the merger will provide an opportunity to scale our administrative functions, allowing additional resources to be dedicated to direct care staff and the important programs they provide."

"We have strategically and proactively addressed the financial challenges brought about by California's underfunding of the developmental disabilities systems," said Jennifer Wagstaff-Hinton, Abilities United Board President. "We explored many options, all aimed at ensuring the individuals and families we serve would continue to receive the services they have counted on from us."

"We are very excited about the future opportunities for this combined organization. Abilities United and Gatepath will create a stronger, more unified front to serve and represent our community members with developmental disabilities," stated Charlie Weidanz, Abilities United Chief Executive Officer. 

The two organizations are committed to their shared mission of improving the lives of those with developmental disabilities. "We envision a world where people of all abilities are fully accepted, respected and included in all aspects of society," said Elaine Cohen, Chair, Gatepath Board of Directors. "Jointly, we are in a better position to make this vision a reality for our community's most vulnerable citizens."

Julia Ballantyne
916-390-4671
[email protected]

SOURCE Gatepath

Related Links

http://www.gatepath.org

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